The International Finance Corp (IFC) and the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI) yesterday launched the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE) green building certification in the country.
EDGE recognized ItalPinas Development Corporation, Imperial Homes Corp. and Phinma Properties Holdings Corp for their energy efficient green building developments.
ItalPinas was recognized for its Primavera Residences condominium towers A and B in Cagayan de Oro which generated 32 to 37% savings in energy, water, and materials.
Phinma’s Grand Strikeville in Bacoor, Cavite was also recognized for generating 22 to 41% savings in the same category.
Tiarra Premiere, and Delsey of Imperial Homes Corp in Santo Tomas, Batangas recorded 28 to 38% savings.
IFC country manager Yuan Xu said EDGE is a voluntary certification system that helps simplify and reduce green building costs, promoting resource efficiency through building designs that reduce energy, including water and energy used in making construction materials.
“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,” he said.
EDGE also targets new commercial and residential buildings to minimize energy targeting use to at least 20% of total buildings constructed in seven years, PGBI vice president for administration and operations Ramon Aguillos said.
“We just launched EDGE right now, but there have been inquiries prior… We can reach or surpass our target for this year. That’s how the market reacted,” he said.
Aside from the three companies, Philippine Hotel Owners’ Association was also recognized for promoting investments in energy – efficient tourism programs and renewable energy resources. While the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines was also praised for encouraging its members to use its green-building measures.
Benhur Abalos, former Mandaluyong mayor was cited for steering green policies and programs, like the green – building ordinance that requires newly established buildings to adopt energy and water – efficient practices.
The green building program of the IFC targets a 1.9 million metric ton cut of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, and save P38 billion a year by 2030.