The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Sunday invited women’s groups to check out the four prototypes of women’s urinals that will installed along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) this week.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno encouraged the public to try using the sample covered women’s urinals that the agency has put up at Metro Rail Transit (MRT) stations along EDSA corner Quezon Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, among others.

“These sample urinals were set up to generate comments and suggestions from the public as to enhancement in the design of women’s urinals.

This is the time for our women’s group to help. The suggestions they will air will be considered for the final design of the women’s urinals that will be built at strategic areas around Metro Manila,” Nacienceno said.

MMDA Assistant Secretary Mari Tuazon said that gay and lesbian groups have been urging the agency to put up urinals for the members of the third sex, citing discrimination experienced in using men’s and women’s public facilities.

Tuazon said that while MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes welcomes the suggestions, Nacianceno is urging homosexuals to try and use the urinals for men and women first.

“Since members of the third sex basically have the same biology with men and women, we encourage them to use men’s and women’s public urinals too. Putting up special urinals for them will be very costly but we are open to the idea if the MMDA sees the pressing need to do this,” Nacianceno said.

In another development, the MMDA announced it will increase rates for overnight stays at the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Worker’s Inn or the Guwapotel beginning Monday.

Tuazon said there will be a five-peso increase from the original P25 rate for a 10-hour stay at the PGMA Workers’ Inns, formerly called “Gwapotel,” located along Bonifacio Drive and on Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Manila.