IDINEKLARA ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ang Setyembre 8 ng bawat taon bilang National Green Building Day.

Bahagi ito ng pagsisikap ng pamahalaan na i-promote ang greener construction sector.

Tinintahan ni Pangulong Duterte ang Proclamation 1030, noong Oktubre 21 at ipinalabas araw ng Miyerkoles.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways, in coordination with relevant non-government organizations and civil society groups, shall promote the observance of the National Green Building Day, and identify the programs, projects, and activities for the yearly celebration thereof,” ang nakasaad sa proklamasyon.

Ang iba pang ahensiya at instrumentalities ng national government, kabilang na ang government-owned or controlled corporations at state universities and colleges, ay inatasan din at ang lahat ng local government units, at maging private sector, ay hinikayat na suportahan ang DPWH sa pagdiriwang ng National Green Building Day at epektibong ipatupad ang proklamasyon.

“It is imperative to intensify existing initiatives to promote and raise awareness on the efficient and equitable use of resources, proper water and waste management, and integration of eco-friendly processes and systems, among others,” ayon pa rin sa proklamasyon.

Taong 2016 nang i-adopt ng DPWH ang Philippine Green Building (GB) Code sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalabas ng National Building Code Development Office Memorandum Circular 1, “which provides for a framework of standards that are intended to reduce the country’s carbon emissions from buildings, and promote the health and well-being of the building occupants.”

Ang GB Code ay pulutong ng regulasyon na nagtatakda ng minimum standards para sa pagsunod at hindi para sa rate buildings.

“It is subject to the performance standards of energy efficiency, water efficiency, material sustainability, solid waste, management, site sustainability, and indoor environmental quality,” ang bahagi ng proklamasyon.

“Green building is the practice of adopting measures that promote resource management efficiency and site sustainability while minimizing the negative impact of buildings on human health and the environment. This practice complements the conventional building design concerns of economy, durability, serviceability, and comfort,” ayon sa ulat. (CHRISTIAN DALE)