The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has opened the gender neutral restrooms on 15 CAAP airports that it operates to help raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights.
They are located in Iloilo, Bacolod, Roxas, Laoag, Legazpi, Naga, Virac, Busuanga, Laguindingan, Dipolog, Butuan, San Jose, Basco, Marinduque, and Tandag.
“Constructing gender neutral restrooms is a step towards gender awareness development and protection of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community,” Caap said in a statement.
They also hope to have gender neutral restrooms in all of their 42 airports.
A transgender woman complained of discrimination at a shopping mall restroom earlier this month, sparking public debates and a Senate hearing on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights.
“Safety in bathrooms is a pivotal concern for non-binary people today; and through the construction of these gender-neutral restrooms in Caap-operated airports, the agency can proactively promote gender sensitivity at various points of its policies, programs, and activities,” Caap said.
A similar restroom was built at the Caap Pasay central office, the agency said.
The agency said it allocated P400 million for its Gender Awareness Development projects, which will include diaper-changing and breastfeeding rooms.
Caap said it was working towards a more gender-inclusive environment in all of the 42 commercial airports it operates.
Photos: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines