Philippine Green CELAW 503: Building Code
Philippine Green CELAW 503: Building Code
Philippine Green CELAW 503: Building Code
THE
Shaun Sundawn Teruel
Jasper Lumawag
PHILIPPINE
GREEN
BUILDING
The Philippine Green Building Code
The GB Code, a Referral Code of the National Building Code
(Presidential Decree No. 1096) was launched on June 25 this
year by the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), with the assistance of the World Bank-IFC, and the
technical support of the Philippine Green Building Initiative
(PGBI). The latter is composed of accredited professional
organizations in the building industry.
CHAPTER 1:
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 - Title
This document shall be known
as the “Philippine Green
Building Code” hereinafter
referred to as the “GB Code”.
SECTION 2 - Policy
The state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony
of nature against harmful effects of climate change. It shall safeguard
the environment, property, public health, in the interest of the
common good and general welfare consistent with the principles of
sound environmental management and control; and for this purpose,
prescribe acceptable set of standards and requirements for relevant
buildings to regulate their location, site, planning, design, quality of
material, construction, use, occupancy, operation and maintenance.
SECTION 3 - Objectives
The GB Code seeks to improve the efficiency of building
performance through a framework of acceptable set of
standards that will enhance sound environmental and resource
management that will counter the harmful gases responsible for
the adverse effects of climate change, throughout the building’s
life-cycle including efficient use of resources, site selection,
planning, design, construction, use, occupancy, operation and
maintenance, without significant increase in cost. This GB Code
is a set of regulations setting minimum standards for compliance
and not intended to rate buildings.
SECTION 4 - Principles
4.1 The technical professionals, developers, contractors,
property managers and building owners involved in the
planning, design, construction and management of
buildings have the opportunity and responsibility to help
government address the adverse effects of climate change
by ensuring that buildings are planned, designed,
constructed, operated and maintained to the required
efficiency level.
SECTION 4 - Principles
SECTION 21 – EFFECTIVITY
This GB Code shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication once a week for three (3)
consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
SECTION 22 – TRANSITORY PROVISION
Those projects with building designs and plans that have
already been prepared and signed by all duly
licensed design professionals shall be exempt from the
coverage, provided that the request for
exemption shall be filed with the Office of the Building Official
within 30 days after the effectivity of this
Code.
“The whole concept of green
building is to reduce the demand
which enables you to use fewer
resources to satisfy your
demands.”
-Mark Nuzzolo