THE Dagupan City government and the Department of Health have agreed to install toilets in 42 households in the city’s barangays at an estimated cost of ₱1.3 million.

The project was included in the Supplemental Annual Investment Plan No. 1 and subsequently in Supplemental Budget No. 1 that was approved Wednesday during a special session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Supplemental AIP No. 1 that includes eight programs and projects was endorsed by the Local Development Council.

City Planning and Development Officer Josephine Corpuz said the DOH will provide ₱1 million, to be boosted by ₱300,000 counterpart from the city.

She said the toilets will be installed in the homes of indigent families that have been verified to have no toilets.

The toilets will be detached flush type and will cost ₱30,000 each, said Athena Arenas, assistant city engineer.

City Health Officer Ophelia Rivera defended the project, saying it is in line with the program “Zero Open Defecation” of the DOH which is being supported by the city government.

Rivera said funding for the project was already available since 2016.

She said many households in the city are still without toilets so the goal of equipping each house one toilet is far from being achieved, and requires more financial assistance from DOH.

Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia asked why the toilets were being installed in homes and not in other areas for public use, but Rivera explained that the project was designed and planned and funded by DOH and the city only provides the token counterpart fund. (Leonardo Micua)

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