spot_img
27.6 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

LGUs cited for green building

- Advertisement -

Condominium towers in Cagayan de Oro and affordable housing in Batangas were recognized by the International Finance Corp. as significant achievements in green building. 

In a statement, the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, said it launched its EDGE green building certification system in the Philippines in partnership with the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI). The launch took place at Green Breakthroughs 2016, an event that showcased groundbreaking innovations and developments in building resource-efficient and sustainable structures.

Recognized for their green buildings were ItalPinas Development Corp. for Primavera Residences condominium towers A and B in Cagayan de Oro and Imperial Homes for the affordable housing units Tiarra Premiere and Delsey in Santo Tomas, Batangas. Primavera’s design and resource-efficient features result in 32-37 percent savings in energy, water, and materials, while Imperial’s middle-income quality housing units yield 28-38 percent savings. Both projects are EDGE-certified.

Also recognized were the Philippine Hotel Owners’ Association Inc. for promoting investments in energy-efficient tourism programs and renewable energy resources, and the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines  for encouraging its members to use green-building measures.

Former mayor Benhur Abalos of Mandaluyong City was cited for steering green policies and programs in the city, including a green-building ordinance that requires new buildings to adopt energy and water-efficient practices.

- Advertisement -

IFC country manager Yuan Xu said, “If we want to sustain economic growth, we need to transform the market so that there are more builders and investors setting up green buildings. We need more structures that save energy, minimize construction and operation costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.” 

Buildings emitted 33.28 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, accounting for 36 percent of the Philippines’ total annual power consumption in 2010. Rapid urban migration is expected to further increase the number of new buildings by 20 percent a year, making it increasingly important to reduce the power usage of buildings. 

Yuan Xu said EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a voluntary certification system that helps simplify and reduce the cost of green buildings, making them more accessible to all. EDGE promotes resource efficiency through building designs that reduce energy, including the energy used in making construction materials, and water.   PGBI, a non-profit group of professional associations that promotes energy-efficient and environment-friendly design and construction, is the certification provider for EDGE projects in the Philippines.

Now on its second year, Green Breakthroughs gathers key players for a green-building knowledge exchange. Some 200 representatives from government, private sector, academe, and professional organizations attended Green Breakthroughs 2016: Building for Resource Efficiency and Sustainability at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati.

Green Breakthroughs was held with the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles