Message

Extreme typhoons, flooding and unusual weather we are experiencing during periods that traditionally were warm and pleasant, are natures manifestations of how people are harming the environment. They are signals that we must all work together to save our environment, and lessen the impact of climate change. This is why, under my Administration, environmental protection is a paramount concern. There are many ways we can be protectors of our ecosystems. One way is by adopting green building practices. Many of us may not be aware that the construction, maintenance and demolition of buildings consume a tremendous amount of energy and resources. Poor choice of materials and construction processes also lead to more greenhouse gas emissions. The building itself may compromise air and water quality. In Quezon City, therefore, we must build green. Owners of green buildings also benefit through lower electricity and water bills, and healthier environments, aside from these buildings typically having a higher appraisal value and enjoying tax incentives. In 2009, the Quezon City Government pioneered by boldly passing its Green Building Ordinance. Now, implementation is in full gear, with the approval of its Implementing Rules and Regulations. These will now institutionalize eco-friendly systems and technologies which will inevitably reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions from buildings and other structures in our city. Let us work together for the progress of Quezon City, while contributing to its overall good health, for our welfare and those of the future generations of Quezon City residents.

HERBERT M. BAUTISTA City Mayor

Quezon City

PURPOSE

This Primer is intended to help the general public understand the basics of the Green Building Standards of Quezon City, as embodied in Implementing Rules and Regulations (Part I) of the Green Building Ordinance of 2009. Specifically, it will serve as a guide to those who will be constructing and/or retrofitting building structures in Quezon City. The primer uses a question-and-answer format, for easier understanding of the topics and requirements. For those who would like to know more details, the primer directs the reader to the specific provisions of the Green Building Ordinances Implementing Rules and Regulations, Part I, which is posted on the website of the QC Government, www.quezoncity.gov. ph. This program is a work in process, and guidelines will be continuously reviewed and updated, to make sure that our Citys rules and policies continue to conform with current practices of Green Building technologies, which are also continuously evolving.

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cONTENTS

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1. What is the Green Building Ordinance of 2009?

This is Quezon City Ordinance No. SP1917, which was enacted and approved by the Quezon City Government in 2009. It requires the design, construction or retrofitting of buildings, other structures and movable properties to meet minimum standards of a green infrastructure, providing incentives thereof and for other purposes. It refers to an integrated whole-building approach to the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings and their surrounding land space that help mitigate the environmental, economic and social impacts of buildings. Emphasis is on site conservation and sustainable planning, water conservation and efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy; conservation of materials and resources and indoor environmental quality and human health.

2. What is a green building?

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3. What types of The type of buildings covered are whole buildings are buildings/structures classified by the National covered by the Building Code, as follows: Green Building Regulations, Part I?

The total gross floor area of the building, both for new and existing, as enumerated above, shall be the total area of all buildings within the compound to which the project belongs. 4. Who are required to comply with the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Green Building Ordinance? Those who are planning to: Construct new building within the above coverage; Retrofit / renovate existing structures.

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5. What certifications The Department of Building Official (DBO) will issue the following certifications: are issued for the Green Building a Preliminary Certificate (PC), upon infrastructure? satisfaction of the mandatory and elective green building requirements;

a Final Certificate (FC), after completion of the project and once the appropriate evaluation is completed by the Green Building Inspection Unit (GBIU), stating that the building complied with the green building requirements.

6. How can one apply The proponent goes through the following steps: for a Preliminary Certificate? 1. Obtain the Green Building application form (see Exhibit A of this primer, for a sample) from the DBO and fill up all details. 2. Attach to the application form, a description of the project plan illustrating that the operation of the facility will function according to the purpose expressed in the application. 3. Submit the filled-up application form and attachments, together with the mandatory (page 7) and elective (page 9) requirements, to the DBO, 9th Floor, Quezon City Hall Main Building.

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7. What are the The following items, with their specific mandatory documentation, are the mandatory requirements requirements: for a Preliminary For Land/Site Sustainability Certificate (PC)? Inclusion of a Construction Activity Control Pollution Prevention System which provides for an erosion, sedimentation and air pollution control plan to prevent erosion due to storm water and construction wastewater run-off, sedimentation of receiving watercourse and air pollution due to dust and particulate matter
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.2.1 of the IRR..

For Energy Efficiency Inclusion of an Energy Efficiency Plan, which provides for efficient lighting fixtures to areas, maintaining proper illumination levels such that the percentage improvement in the total power consumption is 50% or more
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.2.2 of the IRR..

For Water Efficiency Use of a Water Use Reduction System Involving Water Efficient Fixtures which provides at least 50% of the total requirements for every type of sanitary/ plumbing fixtures installed
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.2.3 of the IRR..

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 For Materials and Resources Inclusion of a Waste Management Plan which provides for the installation, operation and maintenance of a material segregation facility after the building is completed; strict observance of Construction Waste Management practices during the erection of the building
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.2.4 of the IRR..

For Indoor Environment Quality Inclusion of a Designated Smoking Area in the building layout
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.2.5 of the IRR..

For Sewage Treatment Plant Inclusion of a Sewage Treatment Plant that complies with the operation and maintenance of effluent discharge quality, as prescribed in Section 12.1 of the Green Building IRR
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.2.6 of the IRR..

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8. Are there any optional requirements in the availment of a preliminary certificate, to qualify the project proponent for a tax credit?

The following are the elective requirements which DBO will evaluate, either for new building construction or retrofitting: For Land/Site Sustainability For Site Selection The Construction Plan should include a flood mitigation study or reference, to show that the building project will not sustain any damage from floods due to extreme weather disturbances.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (a) of the IRR.

For Mixed-use Neighborhood Center Inclusion of a Plan providing access of the public from the building project to other facilities in this mixed-use neighborhood
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (b) of the IRR..

For Community Connectivity Inclusion of Plan that provides building access to establishments or services such as parks, groceries, medical facilities or food centers within an approximate distance of 2 km. radius from the project site
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (c) of the IRR.

For transportation involving Bike

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(Landscape) The provision of a Plan and layout showing landscape in open spaces, as required by applicable laws such that either of the following conditions is met: landscape area covers more than 50% of the open area or landscape area covers 20% to 50% of the open area
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (g) of the IRR..

For greenery involving light-colored paving or open grid (Hardscape) Inclusion of plans with specifications for shade, light-colored paving or open grid for water absorption by underlying soil or percolation in open space, as required by applicable laws. The use of pavers with solar reflectance index of at least 29 or use of open grid pavement system for 50% of the site hardscape is acceptable.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (h) of the IRR..

For Green Roof Inclusion in the plan of provisions for a

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Racks on Parking Lots Provision of bicycles and attendant storage cabinets on parking lots and a listing of the identified 10 basic services
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (d) of the IRR..

For Transportation Involving Site Proximity to Transport Hubs The possibility of the building to be within less than 500 meters to MRT/LRT stations, jeepney and bus stops

For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (e) of the IRR..

For transportation involving provision of adequate parking capacity The parking plan and layout should not exceed the minimum requirement prescribed by the National Building Code.

For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (f) of the IRR..

For greenery involving open space

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following conditions are met: airconditioning system is less than 50% of the total applicable area or airconditioning system is 51% to 75% of the total applicable area.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.2 (b) of the IRR..

For natural ventilation An architectural plan showing the units/ rooms with highlighted window openings on the North-South direction, to obtain good natural ventilation
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.2 (c) of the IRR..

For electric consumption reduction A Plan which provides for the reduction of energy consumption, in compliance with the applicable codes for applicable areas
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.2 (d) of the IRR..

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Green Roof dedicated to plants and trees and their care, as required by applicable laws, or providing roofing materials with heat insulation of at least 75% of the roof surface
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (i) of the IRR..

For storm water management Inclusion in the plan of a system that manages volume of rainwater as measure to control run-off during building operation, maintains safe working conditions and minimizes clogging, flooding, and degradation of the environment
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.1 (j) of the IRR..

For Energy Efficiency For building envelope design Adoption of Building Envelope Design that enhances the overall thermal performance of the building to minimize heat gain, thus reducing the cooling load requirement
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.2 (a) of the IRR..

For air-conditioning system Provision of plans and calculations adopting 13 the highest Energy Efficient Ratio Q u e z(EER), o n Csuch i t y that any of the

 For Renewable Energy Provision of a Plan with complete specifications and information on the location of the renewable energy system as an alternate power source. It should also present the calculations of the percentage of electricity replacement and total annual electrical consumption of the building, highlighting therein, data on product and manufacturers compliance with the renewable system
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.2 (e) of the IRR..

For Water Efficiency For water use reduction A Plan which provides reduction of water consumption, in compliance with the applicable codes
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.3 (a) of the IRR.

For water use reduction involving grey water or rainwater Plan showing how the grey water source will be provided
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.3 (b) of the IRR..

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 For Materials and Resources For construction waste management A Plan on how the contractor will implement an environment-friendly program for the treatment of construction waste, either by recycling, disposition of hazardous construction, or demolition of debris, by identifying the materials to be diverted from disposal and whether the materials will be sorted on-site or comingled
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.4 (a) of the IRR..

For materials reuse An architectural and structural plan providing layout, elevation, and sectional views of the proposed building, showing 30% or more of the areas to be conserved
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.4 (b) of the IRR..

For rapidly renewable materials Provision of the use of rapidly renewable materials made from plants with 10-year or shorter harvest cycle, consisting of at least 5% of the total material cost
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.4 (c) of the IRR..

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 For low-emitting materials involving volatile organic compounds Use of low-emission Volatile Organic Compound paints that are certified under an approved authority, for at least 90% of the internal wall areas.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.5 (b) of the IRR..

For refrigerant management involving low ODP and GWP Use of refrigerants to have an Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) of zero or Global Warming Potential (GWP) of less than 100, and also data sheets of product and manufacturers compliance sheets for equipment with low ODP.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.5 (c) of the IRR..

Refrigerant Management involving the use of equipment with long service life Incorporation of heavy duty environment-friendly equipment certified for EER compliance.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.5 (d) of the IRR..

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 For waste diversion /reduction A plan showing in percentage values, the amount of waste that will be diverted or reduced, in compliance with the applicable code
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.4 (d) of the IRR..

For refuse disposal equipment Provision of a sufficient refuse disposal equipment storage area for the total volume of refuse within the prescribed collection period
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.4 (e) of the IRR..

Indoor Environment Quality Indoor air quality performance A plan providing for the elimination of dampness, to include mold and other microbial growth, through exhaust & ionizer/air purifier systems and by adequate natural ventilation.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.5 (a) of the IRR..

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 Green points for management (Bonus) BERDE Professionals The engagement of Professional with BERDE Accreditation/ Certification.
For documentary requirements, refer to Annex B, item B.2.3.6 of the IRR..

9. Where can the application forms and list of requirements for Preliminary Certification be obtained?

The application form (see Exhibit A), with the list of all requirements, can be obtained from the Department of Building Official (DBO), 9th floor, Quezon City Hall Main Building, or can be downloaded from the Quezon City website, www.quezoncity.gov. ph.

10. Where will the completed application and all requirements be submitted?

The application form, together with all requirements, are to be submitted to the Department of Building Official, 9th floor, Quezon City Hall Main Building.

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11. How is an application for Preliminary Certification processed?

The DBO shall only accept applications that are correctly filled up and with complete mandatory and optional (elective) requirements, as enumerated in pages 7 and 9 of this primer. The DBO shall evaluate the features of the project to verify their conformity with mandatory requirements. If the project does not, the DBO shall issue an order for the applicant to comply with the Green Building Ordinance The DBO shall rate compliant projects, in accordance with the prescribed rating system.
The DBO shall evaluate the optional features of the projects by reviewing the submitted elective requirements, and rate the project The Green points score for the Green Building Features are as follows:

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Once DBO has established the projectscompliance with the Green Building standards, the Technical Committee (as provided for by the Green Building Ordinance) shall recommend to the City Treasurer and City Assessor the approval to issue the Preliminary Certificate (PC). The PC reflects the following: The first taxable year for which the credit maybe applied; The expiration date of the tax credit, which can be extended upon the discretion of the City Treasurer; and The maximum amount of the total credit allowed for the particular project, in any single taxable year.

12. How many green points can a project get, to qualify for a tax credit?

Following the Quezon City Green Building Evaluation and Rating Table, the minimum green points for which a project can qualify for tax credit is 50, with a rating of silver, viz:

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13. How is the Green Building Tax Credit computed?

The formula to be used in arriving at the Tax Credit is: GBTC = RPT x Factor Where: GBTC = Maximum amount of Green Building Tax Credit RPT = Real Property Tax (on improvement/ structure) Factor = the specific tax credit rate provided for in the Quezon City Green Building Evaluation and Rating table

14. What will be the rating of buildings with points below 50? 15. Can a Preliminary Certification be modified or amended, once issued?

A building project with points below 50 is not qualified for any tax credit and shall only be rated as Green Building compliant.

Yes, by project proponents submission to the DBO, of a written request using the prescribed form (Annex B). The FC is issued upon completion of the

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16. When is a Final project and after the evaluation by the Green
Certification (FC) Building Inspection Unit (GBIU) that the project complied with the standards. issued?

17. What

requirements are needed to qualify for Final Certification?

A prescribed application form (Annex C) for FC is to be filled up by the project owner/ proponent, within the time frame of the construction period. In addition to the mandatory and elective requirements submitted in the processing of the PC, an inspection by the GBIU shall be conducted, to confirm the projects compliance with green building standards and adherence to the submitted features of the plan. Yes, the DBO can revoke the FC under the following situations: The FC was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation; Upon inspection by the GBIU, the owner failed to comply with the construction plans and standards.
Note: All prior tax credits shall be forfeited upon notification. The City Treasurer shall immediately collect those taxes not paid as a result of tax credits provided.

18. Once the Final Certificate is issued, can it still be revoked?

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19. When shall the implementation of the Green Building Infrastructure Standards, take effect?

The IRR shall take effect thirty (30) days following its complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation, with the following implementation schedules:

For New Buildings : April 2011 For Existing Bldg. or Retrofitting: Retrofitting/alteration shall be facilitated
within a maximum period of three (3) years

NOTE: For more detailed information on the guidelines, procedures, application forms and other relevant information of the Green Building Regulations, please visit the Department of the Building Official, Quezon City Government or visit the Quezon City website: www.quezoncity.gov.ph.

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EXHIBIT A
APPLICATION FORM FOR PRELIMINARY CERTIFICATION FOR GREEN BUILDING

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EXHIBIT B
APPLICATION FORM FOR PRELIMINARY CERTIFICATION FOR GREEN BUILDING AMENDMENT

Quezon City

ANNEX C

EXHIBIT C
APPLICATION FORM FOR FINAL CERTIFICATION FOR GREEN BUILDING

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RELEVANT REFERENCES
Green Building Ordinance Ordinance No. SP-1917, series of 2009
An Ordinance Requiring the Design, Construction or Retrofitting of Buildings, Other Structures and Movable Properties to Meet Minimum Standards of a Green Infrastructure, Providing Incentives thereof and for Other Purposes

Green Rooftop Ordinance Ordinance No. SP-1940, series of 2009

An Ordinance Requiring All New Buildings and Housing Construction to Plant and Maintain Vegetations in their Rooftops

Quezon City

Quezon City is working to attain international benchmarks for ecologically compliant cities. The World Bank included the city in the eco2 Cities (Ecological Cities as Economic Cities) Initiative, which promotes an environmentally conscious approach to development. The city has participated actively in Eco2 seminars in Singapore, Washington, Geneva, and recently, in January 2011, at the Climate Summit for the Financing of Sustainable Infrastructure for C40 cities in Basel, Switzerland. It was also invited by the United Nations Center for Regional Development to present its clean development mechanism program at the Zero Waste Conference in Tokyo, Japan in February 2011. The City government also participated in the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) Energy Summit, and obtained technical assistance to develop an energy management agenda for Quezon City. This gave rise to a collaboration between the citys Department of Building Official and the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC), for the adoption of the following programs under the Office of the Mayor: Procurement guidelines for life cycle costing Green schools retrofit program Energy Efficiency program for offices and hospitals Residential energy efficiency awareness program Five-year capital planning for energy efficiency retrofits Municipal fleet maintenance program Development of implementing rule and guidelines for the citys Green Building Ordinance, which was enacted in 2009 Creation of the Energy Management Council of Quezon City. Moreover, Quezon City was chosen by the World Banks Energy Efficient Cities Initiative as the site in the Philippines, for the field testing of the Rapid Assessment Framework (RAF) project, under the ESMAP. This project trains City building officials on the use of this assessment tool which helps cities quickly assess their energy efficiency performance, identify underperforming sectors, and define measures the city can take to make improvements. The RAF was subsequently launched on the worldwide web, and allows cities all over the world to compare their respective energy efficiency profiles with other cities, and thus, be able to concentrate their efforts on specific areas which need improvement. The comparison shows Quezon City as among the top 15 energy efficient cities worldwide.

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QUEZON CITYS CYCLE OF PROTECTION & DEVELOPMENT

DISASTER-RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT

URBAN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

The Quezon City Government

Quezon City Hall Compound Elliptical Road, Diliman Central 1100, Quezon City Metro Manila, Philippines Trunkline +63 2 444-7272 www.quezoncity.gov.ph

Department of the Building Official (DBO) 9th Floor Quezon City Hall Main Building Telephone nos. +63 2 444-7272 extension 8905 & 8908

Quezon City