Sarabia considers regulating restroom fees during Dinagyang

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Reports that some business establishments required customers to present receipts or pay fees before being allowed to use restrooms during the Dinagyang Festival have prompted a city councilor to consider proposing an ordinance to stop the practice.

Majority Floor Leader Rex Marcus Sarabia said complaints about restricted access to comfort rooms during the two-day celebration led him to explore possible legislation, warning that such practices could harm Iloilo City’s tourism image.

“I was turned off by this because Dinagyang is only a two-day event, and it carries significant public interest, especially in promoting Iloilo City’s tourism. Business establishments should also contribute,” Sarabia said.

He stressed that hosting a world-class event such as Dinagyang requires sacrifices from residents, including heavy traffic and other inconveniences.

Sarabia added that businesses benefit from increased sales during the festivities and that the cost of providing basic restroom access to visitors is minimal compared with the gains businesses earn during the festival.

“I don’t think there is a big spending on water and soap to accommodate our guests in the city. I don’t think it is proper for them to ask for a receipt and fees for using their comfort room in just a two-day event. For the rest of the year, you can do all you want,” he said.

“I think we will consider if we need to push for an ordinance for Dinagyang,” Sarabia added.

On Jan. 24, Sarabia earlier appealed publicly to business owners in Iloilo City to refrain from requiring receipts or charging customers for restroom use, calling the practice embarrassing and damaging to the city’s tourism image, particularly amid the influx of local and foreign visitors during the festival.

He warned that continued complaints could prompt the city council to regulate the practice through an ordinance, including the imposition of penalties for noncompliance.

“Stop the practice if you do not want us to pass an ordinance and impose penalties. Let this be an exception during Dinagyang. On normal days back to usual practice,” he said in a Facebook post.

Sarabia also said the city government plans to install additional handwashing stations and portable toilets and to open government buildings for public access to comfort rooms as part of improvements for next year’s festival.

Dinagyang, held annually in Iloilo City, is one of the Philippines’ major cultural festivals and draws thousands of visitors, generating increased commercial activity for local businesses while placing added pressure on public services and facilities.