The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is at present crafting the Green Building Code (GBC), a separate referral code adherent to the National Building Code and its IRR.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that under the National Building Code of the Philippines (NBCP), the DPWH has the authority to revise, amend or create a separate referral code in conformation with NBCP and its IRR to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, consistent with the principles of environmental management and control.
“This is the Department’s response to the clamor for sustainable building regulations to reduce greenhouse emissions and introduce electricity and cost savings for new buildings specifically malls, offices, hotels, residential condominiums, retails establishments, schools and hospitals falling under the minimum qualifying criteria set forth by the code,” said Secretary Singson.
The green building code focuses on the following aspects: energy efficiency, water and wastewater management, materials sustainability, solid waste management, site sustainability, and indoor environmental quality.
“The draft Code will be presented in the national and regional consultations tentatively scheduled later this year for stakeholders’ inputs before its refinement and eventual signing/approval,” added Singson.
The DPWH in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group is currently working with a Technical Working Group, comprised of duly authorized representatives from national agencies and professional organizations, like Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE), Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), The Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers (PSSE) and Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines, for the draft of the Green Building Code.
The Green Building Code, if implemented properly, guarantees up to P35.2 billion ($800 million) savings among businesses and consumers by 2030, placing the Philippines at par with other developing countries.