While the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is poised to open its female urinals to the public on Monday, February 1, a party-list group has asked the agency to also put up toilets exclusively for members of the third sex, the agency chief said.

MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes said the party-list group sent him a letter requesting for public toilets for gays and lesbians. He did not name the group.

"The party-list group noted that many of the gays and lesbians are being discriminated when they use public toilets. They requested that if there are urinals for men and women, why not build special urinals for them?” said Inocentes.

However, Inocentes said they are still focused on the three newly-built female urinals along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and one on Commonwealth Avenue. He has invited the public, particularly women’s organizations, to critique the facility which is designed to cater to women commuters and motorists.

“If we find the female urinals successful, we will build more along major thoroughfares and may consider putting up third-sex urinals,” he said.

“We are inviting everyone, especially women, to voice out their comments and suggestions before we construct more women urinals. We are open to suggestions,” Inocentes added.

Safety concerns, particularly against robbers, muggers and even rapists, prompted the MMDA to design the female urinals fully covered and with only one cubicle.

Initially, the design of the urinal was for two persons but the agency revised it for the safety of the users, especially at night.

The facilities will have electricity and water and will be free to the public. MMDA personnel will maintain the urinals 24 hours a day.

If proven successful, similar urinals will also be put up along major thoroughfares and in every MRT and LRT station by next month, said agency General Manager Robert Nacianceno, the proponent of the project.