GREEN BUILDINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Attending lecture on Green Cities for our Environment and Technology class, I was surprised to learn about Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) – non-stock, non-profit organization established in 2007; one of the first Asian Green Building Council (Lindfield and Steinberg 2012); the organization has more than 75 members comprising of architects, engineers, developers, contractors, government, material suppliers etc. In order to address the issue of climate change, PHILGBC encourages the building sector, policy makers and other concerned members of the society to go for the environment – friendly buildings. Furthermore, they share green building information and practices to the building industry, promotes the sharing of knowledge to ensure a sustainable environment, and acts as a non-partisan venue for the development of green building rating system.

What is Green Building? Green Building also known as Green Construction or Sustainable Building is the act of designing, constructing, operating and maintaining buildings in an environment-friendly manner (Remo 2011; de la Cruz et al. 2009). The common objectives is that green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of built environment on human health and natural environment by: (1) efficiently using energy, water and other resources; (2) protecting occupant health and improving employees productivity; (3) reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation. 

Green Buildings in the Philippines

(1)    Zuellig Building

•  One of the Green high rise buildings of the Bridge Realty Corporation
• Pre-certification at Gold and Platinum levels under LEED – CS program
• Tower gains its identity from the ceramic frit pattern of the glass curtain
• The all – glass façade is composed of double paned, low emissivity (low E) glass system
• Electric lights are adjusted using an automated diming system
• Airflow and air quality are regulated through CO₂ sensors
• Energy consumption is reduced during off-peak hours with variable speed drives for chilled water pumps
• Water is conserved through capturing moisture and condensation devices, with well-developed premium drainage system
• Easy access to public transportation. Maximization of open space, reduction of heat islands 
  

(2)    Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters (HQ)

• Received the LEED certification from USGBC
• Receives 63 points (Gold)
•  Maintaining a Sustainable Site (11/17 points): reduce heat by tree shading of open car parks; high solar reflectance index of paved roadway; environmental-friendly transportation options.
• Water Consumption (9/13 points): use more efficient water fixture in compliance with Uniform Plumbing Code and International Plumbing Code Flow/Flush rates; 100% utilization of non-potable and treated water from sewage treatment plant and rain water harvesting facility.
• Energy Improvements (26/27 points): 10 Energy saving projects; Six Sigma projects led to the replacement of air conditioning chillers and pumps; building automation system; use of non-chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants.
• Solid Waste Management and Sustainable Purchasing (5/5 points): building materials bought locally; administrative goods and services are procure environmentally preferred and/or considered Eco-products; employ best practices and safe operating procedures to prevent the release of pollutants, optimizing the use of resources, reduces waste generation and reuse, recycle, treat and dispose all waste properly.
• Indoor Environmental Quality (6/8 points): No smoking policy; construction of smoking lounges; Green cleaning programs; establishment of sensors in parking garages; regulation of exhaust systems.
  

(3)    Sun Life Financial Philippine

• Pre-certified by LEED CS
• Lower energy cost
• Double-glazed low emissivity glass
• Green Roof
• Reduced use of air conditioning
• Addresses the “Sick Building Syndrome” ailments

(4)    First Balfour Corporate Office

• Pre-certified by BERDE for new construction
• Lower energy cost
• Double-glazed low emissivity glass
• Green Roof
• Reduced use of air conditioning
• Addresses the “Sick Building Syndrome” ailments

(5)    Net Lima Tower

• Certified “green” mega structure by BERDE
• Passive external shading devices
• Leading edge diagonal Aluminum solar screen overlap

Green Building Certification

(1) US Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – Developed by US Green Buidling Council (USGBC) and globally recognized standard for Green Building Certification. US LEED measures five (5) key areas: Sustainable Site Development; Water Savings; Energy Efficiency; Material Selection; and Indoor Environmental Quality. Four (4) certification levels: 40 to 49 points (Certified); 50 to 59 points (Silver); 60 to 79 points (Gold); and 80 points and above (Platinum).

(2)Phil Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) – Developed by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) and certification varies depending on the nature of the building: New Construction; Retrofits and renovations; Operations; and Existing buildings. BERDE measures eleven (11) key areas with corresponding attainable points: Management (14 points), Land Use and Ecology (20 points), Water (7), Energy (9 points), Transportation (18 points), Indoor Environmental Quality (7 points), Materials (6 points), Emissions (4 points), Heritage Conservation (4 points) and Innovations (20 points).

Green Building is something new for me though the system had been long existing; just like ISO certification, Environmental Management System (EMS), Food Safety and other certification required there is a need for political will and leadership for paradigm shift to further utilize human health and environmental benefits of Green Building; public awareness must meet and enable to embrace the shift and technological revolution through breakthroughs in various green technologies must be well developed and planned.