Not many people know that there is a Green Building Code in the Philippines. This code aims to improve the efficiency of buildings by promoting a set of standards to be used. Right now, the building code has been adopted in some cities like Quezon City and Mandaue City, and others. These cities aimed to be “green cities” and have local green ordinances in place.
Inside the code, you can read certain standards for new construction as well as renovation. This code applies to all new construction and building alterations with a minimum total gross area of 10,000 sqm for Commercial, Institutional, Mixed Occupancy, 15,000 sqm for Mercantile, and 20,000 sqm for Residential condominiums.
The aims of the code are “to increase the efficiency of building use resources such as to cut down energy use in the air-conditioning system, to minimize the solar heat gain effect coming from the heat that passes through the glass, providing at least 10 percent of operable window openings to the floor area, Roof insulations, mechanical systems to meet the minimum efficiency requirements, controlled day-lighting systems, using efficient water fixtures, rainwater harvesting from roofs and hardscape is considered, as well as the materials used for the building. “ One example of requirements that the code promotes is the use of MRF or Material Recovery Facility, especially for Hospitals.
We hope you learn about the overview of the Green Building Code of the Philippines. We also hope that this will be applied to other cities in the Philippines as well through a localized green ordinance. For those interested to read more about the code, follow the link here for full text. You can also visit this Facebook Page for updates.