MMDA renovates Gwapotel in Manila

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has renovated the workers inn or popularly known as the "Gwapotel" along Bonifacio Drive in Port Area, Manila as the transients low-income workers, students, and out-of-town travelers will enjoy the temporary stay in the facility operated by the agency.

MMDA's Metro Parkway Clearing Group (MPCG) head Francis Martinez said that they already re-painted the Gwapotel, fixed the comfort rooms and sprayed chemical to ward off mosquitos and insects.

"Ni-repaint naming yung gwapotel. Pininturahan yung bintana. Ginawa din 'yung mga comfort rooms doon, yung mga paliguan nilagyan ng kurtina, nagkaroon din kami ng pag-spray para mawala yung mga ipis at lamok. May centralized electric fan, nagdagdag din kami at pinalitan na rin yung sira sirang mattress. By tomorrow magkakaroon ng blessing sa gwapotel," Martinez told the agency's weekly radio program.

He said a 12-hour stay in the inn, will cost P50 which includes the price of a bath.

The agency said the amount will cover expenses incurred in the maintenance of the facility.

"Dati may token kapag maliligo, ngayon kasama na sa 50 ang baya. Once na pumasok ka, magchecheck in ka sa lobby (6pm then out na 6 am), kung may bakante, pwede kang i-accommodate" he noted.

According to Martinez, close circuit television cameras (CCTV) are installed on each floor of the building to ensure the safety of the guests and each floor has a TV set, electric fans for ventilation, security cameras, and beds for up to 200 guests and they are guards are on duty at any given time.

He said that ordinary workers, vendors, small entrepreneurs, white collar-job employees and other transients from the provinces who are doing business in Metro Manila have flocked to the worker's inn because they could not find an affordable, clean, safe and decent place to stay elsewhere.

"Ang konsepto nito ay para sa mga tiga-probinsya na magtatrabaho pansamanatala sa Maynila pabor na pabor ito sa mga galing sa probinsya yung mga galing ng pier, dun na la tutuloy," Martinez said.

Gwapotel (from the words "Gwapo" or handsome and "hotel") is part of the MMDA's urban renewal program, originally aimed at providing cheap but decent accommodations to workers whose place of residence is outside Metro Manila. (PNA)