A Localized GIS-Based Multi Decision Criteria Approach in Determining Suitable Sites for Community Toilet Facilities in BASECO Compound, Manila City

Abstract

Access to sanitation remains a major concern in the Philippines due to the increasing population and growing demand for basic needs. This study addresses poor sanitary conditions in slum areas, specifically in BaSECo Compound, Manila, where informal settlers rely on shared toilets. Utilizing GIS and MCDA, the study identifies areas suitable for community toilet facility (CTF) development. The Modified Huff Three-Step Floating Catchment Area (MH3SFCA) method quantified spatial accessibility to existing toilets. The SPAI map shows low accessibility in blocks 15 and New Site, with Gawad Kalinga, Habitat, and Old Site (N) having none. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) prioritized six criteria, with accessibility being the most significant (33.18%), followed by proximity to water supply (31.76%), communal septic tanks (14.53%), land use (8.2%), flood-prone areas (7.44%), and ground slope (4.89%). The final suitability map identified 14.12% of the 0.6 sq. km. area as highly suitable, including Block 15, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat, and Old Site (N). Ground truth verification visited five candidate sites, which were tested for improved SPAI maps. The inclusion of facilities in Block 15, GK 2, OSN, and H improved accessibility in northern BaSECo. Significant service area improvements for each CTF were observed using Voronoi polygons. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating GIS and MCDA methods for CTF site selection.