2023 Information on Green Buildings 1

2023 INFORMATION ON GREEN BUILDINGS

Arianne Mae D. Pagkaliwagan

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Ar. Carlos S. Sanchez Jr.

Rizal Technological University

10/13/2023
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A Rejoinder Paper of 2023 Information on Green Buildings

Since the early 1990’s, the notion about green buildings have come forward in the

society. The academe has been producing studies on the construction industry and

notably researches in green building is continuously increasing (Li, 2023, cited in

Siman, 2023). The Green building concept is also not new to humans, it has been

widely used referring to different aspects of trying to preserve the environment. People

have a collective understanding when they encountered these words, that even non-

professional can get a grasp of it. However, green buildings are said to be a response to

environmental concerns such as climate change and scarcity of natural resources

((Franco & Pawar, 2021, cited in Siman, 2023). It aims to maximize energy that people

consume through natural resources while preserving the nature itself.

The article provides a report on the current conditions of sustainability in the

Philippines. On the report, it shows how our country’s initiative in achieving the United

Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) has been paying off. Our country has

been recognized as rank 95th among 163 countries who as well practice SGDs, with an

SGD index score of 66.6, slightly above the average index score of 65.9 (Marcelo,

2023). Fortunately, the government actions are fairly effective. However, given that the

Philippines ranked higher than other countries, it still far from achieving a successful

sustainability. For the ordinary Filipinos, the progress that the report shows are still far

from being felt. There are still visible challenges in our economic, social and

environmental well-being.

At the report, it is evident that the current administration is moving on creating

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sustainability projects and policy that will guarantee the country’s progress. One of their

actions is to promote circular economy, it is a notion to reduce single-use operations

that contributes to the waste of the country (Marcelo, 2023). Republic Act no. 11898 or

the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022 – a law that obliged organization to

operate circular model that will benefits the environment. However, this law has its own

limitations. Apparently, it’s a new law and given that implementing laws are challenging

in our country, organizations might not have been religiously following it. It could be that

organizations are still having a difficult time looking for ways to improve and achieve

circular operations in their organization and/or paying a fine for violating it is the easiest

way for them. Strict monitoring should be the next move on this law as well as the

inclusion of other organizations and company.

Furthermore, the administration as well uncover that climate resiliency and

sustainability was given consideration in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for

2023 to 2028 (Marcelo, 2023). It is said that a special chapter was provided for this

matter to fully address the needs of it but the first year have of the PDP have only

started, thus, appreciating it will be difficult. Once, we truly recognized the government

actions towards sustainability and climate resilience, we will then be proud of it.

Critically assessing the administration movement towards sustainability should be keep

in mind as much as how initiatives from different private sector shows.

Another initiative from the government that is cited in the report was the creation

of Sustainability reporting – it’s a practice of organizations to provide a report on its

economic, environmental, and/or social impact following the SDGs (Marcelo, 2023). It is

mandatory for the Publicly-listed Companies in the Philippines to submit their

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sustainability report. This action of the government will benefit them in acquiring

information and monitoring the country’s status in achieving SGDs. Although, as SEC

Commissioner argued, the extension of these to other private organization and

company is better.

On the other side of the sustainability reporting, the report argues a few

challenges that this movement implies. First, SEC do not provide a strict guideline on

what to consider as an adequate explanation on the sustainability reports, there could

be discrepancy that may be hidden from the report submitted, thus, how the SEC will be

guarantee that the reports are reliable. Secondly, the reports introduce the chances of

“greenwashing” which refers to company or organizations taking credits on having

sustainable products when in fact, it is not sustainable (Marcelo, 2023). This deception

will not only dismantle the government itself but as well as the consumers. These

discrepancies should be taking into consideration by the government to further develop

their program, there are no perfect guidelines, but a great effort in researching and

taking accountability of the responsibility or improving the condition of the society would

suffice.

Moreover, the concept the social responsibility is also featured in the report – it is

accounting of each member of the society to maintain a society. Duty bearers are the

government officials that should account for the well-being of the society. On the other

hand, the rights holder are the people that should be aware of their rights and demands

for the fulfillment of it. The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) create the

ISO 26000 which covers all the aforementioned SEC guidelines. It is a comprehensible

instruction on what to do and how to do the activities that promotes social responsibility
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towards sustainability (Marcelo, 2023).

In conclusion, regardless of the difficulties in executing the sustainability

reporting, the future of it still has a room for improvement. On a great note, it has

provided a path for the regulators to understand its importance. Sustainability will not be

attained without achieving social responsibility. All good things start on the fulfillment of

these responsibilities to attaining a sustainable society.

Reference List

Marcelo, R. (2023), ‘Sustainability Report: 2023 Information on Green Buildings’,

www.picqs.org, Makati City, Philippines

Siman B. P. (2023), ‘A Critical Analysis of the Philippine Construction Industry: Current

Trends, Forecast, and Business Focus for Engineering Design Firms’, International

Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 4(8), 2691 –

2699. doi: 10.11594/ijmaber.04.08.0