Quezon City government is set to implement new policies and measures on building construction even to government-owned facilities including school buildings, health centers, hospitals and office buildings.
Mayor Herbert M. Bautista had instructed Department of Building Official (DBO) chief Engr. Isagani R. Verzosa Jr. to include government projects among those that will have to comply with the new set of measures to be implemented by DBO.
Referring to the city’s green building infrastructure ordinance, which will be formally implemented in April, Verzosa explained that compliance with the measure by government projects will give more teeth to its implementation.
He added that the move is also a counter-protective measure of government either local or national against contractors of the project, aimed to ensure good quality of work and also to maintain safety at all times.
The DBO head said that compliance with the measure is simple, thus, no reason not to comply with it.
For green building standard for instance, he said, government-owned facilities like school buildings need only to provide efficient lighting and water fixtures; and include waste management plan and sewerage treatment plant.
Mayor Bautista also directed Engineering Department Head Joselito Cabungcal to secure the necessary building permits and observe the green building standard in all QC infrastructure projects.
The green building standard is provided for under the newly passed City Council’s Green Building Infrastructure Ordinance, which mandates the use of eco-friendly technology and system in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance including the retrofitting of building projects in the city.
The measure is in line with Mayor Bautista’s support to the government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and other hazardous emissions from buildings and other structures. -30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
