edge davao 8 issue 17 - going green

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

Going green

EDGEServing a seamless societyDAVAOAN EARTH-FRIENDLY SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Breathe, Davao air is goodOrganic food: Sustainable,

delicious

INSIDE

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

IN these days of climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and dwin-

dling food supply, more peo-ple are aware of saving the environment from further destruction. In time, green becomes the color of any in-

novation.Even in construction, it’s

going green, too!Sustainable or “green

building” design and con-struction is the opportunity to use our resources more effi-ciently, while creating health-

ier and more energy-efficient homes. “Although there is no magic formula,” says the website of greenbuildingso-lutions.org, “success comes in the form of leaving a light-er footprint on the environ-ment through conservation

of resources, while at the same time balancing ener-gy-efficient, cost-effective, low-maintenance products for our construction needs.”

In simpler terms, green building design involves finding the delicate balance

between homebuilding and the sustainable environment. This is especially true as it is getting warmer each year due to the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the at-mosphere.

“Many people do not know rigid and blown foamed insulation is made of plastics or that the use of plastics in building and construction of-ten uses less energy and cre-ates less greenhouse gas per

FGOING GREEN, S2


Green living at North Point

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015S2

DAVAO City still has one of the best air quality in the country.

The Department of En-vironment and Natural Re-sources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 11 has declared Davao City to have a good air qual-ity despite the developments happening around the me-tropolis particularly in the construction industry.

”So far, it’s good. Davao City at present is surrounded by good air quality”, EMB 11 Chief of Air and Water Quali-ty Management Section Engr. Ricardo T. Biong said in a re-cent interview.

With the rapidly chang-ing landscape in Davao City, EMB-XI takes seriously the efforts to promote the Clean Air Act and its implementing provisions.

Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air quality management policy and pro-gram which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.

“It strongly advocates for air pollution free environ-ment by urging the public to be aware of environmental pollutants and its negative

effects to human health and participate in a very simple way whether at home, office or elsewhere to reduce air pollution,” the statement said .

EMB-XI is mandated to strengthen its air quality monitoring activities round the clock. Currently, there are six stations for air quality monitoring activities in the city. Of these two stations, au-tomatic real time equipment are located within Davao City Francisco Bangoy Inter-national Airport compound and in Calinan Elementary School.

EMB 11 said that these real time equipments mea-sure gaseous pollutants in the air in an hourly basis thus, provide the EMB-XI with air quality data at the soonest time.

Moreover, provision of air quality equipments will be in placed at Tagum City and Digos City in the later part of the current year.

“Conserve energy or take a bus instead of car somehow minimizes pollutants in the air. If Davaoeños have the heart for the environment, we would surely enjoy the benefits of a pollution free environment”, Biong advised.

STILL GOOD. Despite the effects of industrialization and the present construction boom, Davao City’s air remains safe and good. Lean Daval Jr.

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application than traditional materials,” the greenbuilding-solutions.org points out.

According to Wikipedia, green building design involves finding the balance between homebuilding and the sus-tainable environment. This requires close cooperation of the design team, the archi-tects, the engineers, and the client at all project stages. In concept, the green building practice expands and comple-ments the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

A similar concept is natu-ral building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics in-clude sustainable design and green architecture.

Sustainability may be de-fined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of

future generations to meet their needs. Although some green building programs don’t address the issue of the retrofitting existing homes, others do, especially through public schemes for energy ef-ficient refurbishment.

“Green buildings play a fundamental role in address-ing some of the most press-ing challenges of our time,” pointed out Jane Henley, chief executive officer of the World Green Building Council.

Green building, she said, can help reduce the global car-bon footprint, save money and improve productivity. In addi-tion to these benefits, it also creates jobs and improves the lives of millions of people.

Let’s talk about sustain-able development. This con-cept can be traced to the ener-gy (especially fossil oil) crisis and environmental pollution concerns of the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1962, Rachel Carson published a book entitled “Silent Spring.” The book is considered to be one of the first initial efforts to describe sustainable development as related to green building.

In the United States, the green building movement originated from the need and desire for more energy effi-cient and environmentally friendly construction prac-tices. There are a number of motives for building green, including environmental, eco-nomic, and social benefits.

This brings us to green construction technology? Ac-tually, it’s a wide category as it covers everything -- from energy-efficient appliances to geothermal heating. It strikes a balance between eco-friend-ly building materials everyone can use when building a new home and more advanced green technologies that bring cool advancements in science

to the construction industry. Think of bio-degradable paint (did you know it’s made using milk?) and glass that tints on command.

Building materials typi-cally considered to be “green” include lumber from forests that have been certified to a third-party forest standard, rapidly renewable plant ma-terials like bamboo and straw, dimension stone, recycled stone, recycled metal, and oth-er products that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable.

Some key objectives in sustainable building include reducing water consumption and protecting water quality. “The protection and conser-vation of water throughout the life of a building may be accomplished by designing for dual plumbing that recy-cles water in toilet flushing or by using water for wash-ing of the cars,” Wikipedia

states. “Waste-water may be minimized by utilizing water conserving fixtures such as ul-tra-low flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Bidets help eliminate the use of toilet paper, reducing sewer traffic and increasing possibilities of re-using water on-site.”

Indeed, the time of green buildings has come. Especially now that the world’s growing population is becoming ever more urban. “This transition has the potential to dramat-ically improve human devel-opment while reducing the stress that we place on the world’s resources,” noted the introduction of ‘Southern In-novator,’ a magazine celebrat-ing South-South innovation.

“But this is not a certain outcome and will not happen unless people make radical changes to the way in which they live their lives,” it added. “The products and resources that people use to improve

their living standards also deplete their finite resources and often leave pollution and toxic waste behind.”

By 2050, two out of every three people on the planet will live in a city. “We are living as if we have an extra planet at our disposal,” deplores Jim Leape, director-general of WWF International. “We are using 50% more resources than the Earth can sustain-ably produce and unless we change course, the num-ber will grow fast: by 2030 even two planets will not be enough.”

But if there’s a will, there’s a way. “It is not a time to lose hope: the range of solutions to these challenges is vast, and many innovators and pi-oneers are developing new ways to do things,” the maga-zine’s introduction said.

Certainly, green buildings are among the possible solu-tion!

Breathe, Davao air is goodBy ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Going green... FROM S1

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015 S3EDGE Serving a seamless society

DAVAO GoingGreen

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

LOCAL brand Humabi bags took center stage during a fashion show at the Ha-cienda of DMC-Urban Property Devel-

opers Inc. in Catalunan Pequeño Saturday.Erika Soriano-Mata and DMC-UPDI

of the Consunji Group of Companies part-nered in promoting her quality bags made out of plastic straw ropes and the housing projects of the real estate developer, includ-ing its Verdon Parc condominium project in Ecoland Drive.

The 35-year-old Mata and her husband, Dr. Richard Mata had conceived a meaningful idea in Hum-abi, selling the bags to help some scholars of the Philip-pine Sci-ence High School and the wom-en at the city’s cor-rectional inst i tu-tion.

Proceeds from the sale of the Humabi bags go directly to the scholars and wom-en inside the correctional, thus giving them more opportunity to finish college and hope.

“My husband and I believe in educa-tion,” Erika said in explaining her advocacy to held brilliant students but just less fortu-nate when it comes to finances.

“We really want to help in our own little way,” she added.

Erika said she was named by the Consunji Group of Companies as its ambas-sadress of the real estate company’s Verdon Parc and Hacienda.

She said the collaboration will also promote the DMC-UPDI’s housing projects since Mother’s Day is just around the cor-ner.

The Humabi bags are handmade prod-ucts produced inside the city’s correctional institution and are popular even in Manila, including some celebrities.

The mother’s bag or hand bags are sold at P1,800 each while the kids backpack is sold at P1,600 apiece. The sling bag for the teens are also priced at P1,600.

DMC-UPDI officer-in-charge Merly Q. Amoguis, meanwhile, said Phase 1 of Ha-cienda is all sold-out while Phase 2, which has 69 lots, is 30 percent sold-out.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015S4 EDGE Serving a seamless society

DAVAO GoingGreen

WHEN one speaks of Camella Communities, it is

not only studio living that comes to mind. One is also reminded of green living, specifically in the Northpoint, Camella’s landmark condominium development in Davao City.

Northpoint embraces green architecture, where buildings are designed to have minimal impact on the environment and where homeowners enjoy the luxury of living in a place with verdant setting, what with all the pine trees and live gardens around.

“Green architecture is nothing new to us,” says Marlon Niño B. Escalicas, Camella Southern Mindanao cluster head. “Ever since day one, we have adhered to green architecture.”

Escalicas said that for Northpoint’s pine trees alone, the company invested P4 million just to provide a verdant and idyllic setting for homeowners.

Northpoint’s grounds are planted with imported Caribbean pine trees now about fifth feet tall. There are also preserved olden Acacia trees, a thick carpet of grass and abundant plant life.

Escalicas said Northpoint’s condo buildings are also designed to let natural air flow through the concrete structures and circulate freely around the building, its corridors, common areas and the residential units.

This unique feature brings fresh air to each unit, indoor gardens and hallways of each level of the Northpoint buildings.

The eco-friendly design reduces the use of artificial light in Northpoint homes, giving homeowners savings from power consumption and contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon footprint emanating from power generation.

Escalicas said on top of this, Camella is also religiously complying with all the requirements set by the city government on housing projects that protect the environment.

“We are compliant with all the requirements of the city government to adhere to green architecture,” Escalicas said.

Camella, a subsidiary of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the largest homebuilder in the country, is first developer in the city to apply green architecture with its

Northpoint condo project.Camella has enhanced new

Camella Northpoint tower with green architecture.

Coming from the success of its first three buildings which are now almost fully sold out, Camella is gearing up for the opening of the much-awaited 4th tower of Northpoint.

Camella has made this new building more exciting with its enhanced design following the principles of green architecture, making it another green building but better and more efficient, and making Camella Northpoint the city’s true premier address.

Renowned architect Art Secuya, Camella’s head for planning, recently went to Singapore to get the latest trends and innovation on green architecture.

He shared insights into this cutting-edge concept as applied to Camella Northpoint’s newest building, shoring up the company’s environmental commitment as June celebrates Environment Month.

“In Camella Northpoint’s latest building, two Green Building principles are applied: energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. This condo building has architectural elements that harness the natural breeze to flow into the building and force hot air to exit,” Secuya said.

“This promotes a pleasantly cool interior temperature in all residential units, lessening the need for air-conditioning. It will have an Atrium, a vertical shaft in the middle of the structure that allows hot air to go up and exit through the skylight,” he added.

The project will also have a Sky Garden, spaces that open the facade of the building and serve as entry points of natural, cool wind, resulting to a cooler and more comfortable ambiance within the building’s interior and in the condo units, according to Secuya.

“This also allows more natural light to cascade into the building, requiring less lighting during the day. The Interior Gardens are green spaces inside the structure that promotes a healthy environment through the healing effect of natural plants,” he said.

All these innovative features of Camella Northpoint’s fourth tower, the architect emphasized, make it the first of its kind in the city.

“We built the first green condo

buildings in Davao, this fourth building is even better,” Secuya said.

He said Northpoint is the greenest condo community in the city and in Mindanao, built to principles of green architecture that is beneficial to its inhabitants and the environment.

Liverpool will be the greenest of all four buildings, having a special feature called the Sky Gardens.

“Liverpool residents will benefit from its natural ventilation and lighting. These are just some of the advantages of Northpoint over other condo developments in the region, making it the most desirable condo community in this part of Mindanao,” Escalicas said.



DAVAO GoingGreen

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Conserving our oceans and coasts

DAVAO City has been able to balance development with preserving the

environment despite being a booming economic hub in the Southern Mindanao. Surround-ed by vast landscape and coast-line, the city is not just a home to people of various ethnicities but also to rich biodiversity Being a huge ecosystem, eco-tourism here happens to be a natural attraction to local and foreign tourists alike.

“When you talk of Davao City, we’re not talking of build-ings, we’re not talking of malls,” Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 regional director Roberto P. Alabado IIII said. “Within our city there are small niches of wildlife that are available for observation and for enjoying the natural landscape of Davao City.”

Enriched with numerous marine protected areas and watersheds in the uplands, tourists here travel from the peaks of mountains to beaches stretching from boundary to boundary.

Among the protected ma-rine areas in Davao City is the newly inaugurated Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Mati-na Aplaya. Owned and devel-oped by the Aboitiz Power, the 8-hectare park is a sanctuary of hawksbill turtles, locally known as pawikan.

Open to a limited number of park-goers, the turtle sanc-tuary is only open until 3 in the afternoon to give way to nest-ing pawikans that only return to the area every after 20 years. Visitors at the turtle home can

only have a peak of the nest-ing ground in the beach line through the viewing deck.

When mother pawikans start to lay their babies and blanket them with sand on the calm nights of July, nature is then left behind to protect the next generation of turtles no matter what. Before leaving their nest, baby turtles know that the vast ocean will be the next home.

Managers of the sanctu-ary, mostly researchers and experts from the University of the Philippines Mindanao and University of Southeast-ern Philippines, have become instant guardians of the eggs aside from nature.

Almost barricaded with mangrove forest and wood trees, the sanctuary also be-came a welcome home to dif-ferent species of birds, fishes, and crawling hermit crabs. In the area, human and animals coexist with the former aim-ing to preserve the latter. Even the surrounding communities have pledged to protect the area.

The promising potential of Cleanergy Park to both local and foreign tourism also pro-vide jobs to nearby communi-ties.

Alabado said the tourism agency is partnering with pri-vate sector and other govern-ment agencies for the skills training and capability building of the community. “When we say sustainable ecotourism, the focus will always be the community,” he said. “So when we have ecotourism projects


Cleanergy Park: Ecotourism at its bestBy CHENEEN R. CAPON

Aboitiz Power Jim Aboitiz (second to the right first row) posed with Aboitiz and Davao Light Power Company (DLPC) executives, city councilors, Punta Dumalag barangay officials, and researchers from the University of the Philippines Mindanao and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) during the inauguration of the Cleanergy Park, a marine turtle sanctuary in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya on Thursday.

Davao City councilors Al Ryan Alejandre and Marissa Salvador-Abella walked together with an official of Aboitiz during the inauguration of Cleanergy Park, a marine turtle sanctuary in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya on Thursday.

like this we would like to de-velop this not just for for tour-ists but also for the community who can benefit from it.”

He said people living near-by can start making souvenir items for tourists while fish-ermen might start to have a bigger fish catch because of the ecological preservation initia-tives.

This kind of tourist desti-nation also become a learning avenue for young children through educational tours. “Experiencing nature while learning at its best,” Alabado said.

Barely a month after the summit, the opportunity presented itself when a business space in the family-owned building in Davao City became available. “Immediately, I got in touch with the founders and inquired about licensing the concept. I really felt that it was the perfect business to put up in a location that is off-downtown, making it a ‘destination’ store,” Claudio says.

The Echostore brand used to be just a store, but Claudio says it has since evolved into a tri-concept store. “ The tri-concept of a cafe, store, and market that advocates sustainable lifestyle is a concept that is new to Davao… In 2008 it started in Serendra as a store and café and expanded to include a third concept which is the Echomarket. The company owned stores in Serendra and Salcedo Makati are tri-concepts, while their Podium branch is just a store. All the licensees (Centris QC, Davao, and Cebu which opened just last month) are operating all three concepts. When we were designing the store, we wanted more dining space so that people will be encouraged to dine and try our healthy and organic meals which is new to Davao,” she says.

Claudio says that while not all products at the store are organic, Echostore “promotes and carries all natural, organic, healthy and eco-friendly products and supports local artisans and small communities looking

for market access for their products. We advocate sustainable production practices. Our organic and all natural products are labeled accordingly.”

Echostore Davao sells body care products, home care products, aromatherapy, upcycled fashion and home accessories, rice, fresh produce, cheeses, vegetables, organic fruits, condiments, healthy snacks, chocolates, noodles, coffee, teas, and artisanal ice cream.

And of course there’s the food. The bestseller — and Claudio’s personal favorite — is the pasta ala trio. Other must-tries are the French mushroom omelette, mushroom burger, and fresh spring rolls. The dishes all seem to say healthful food doesn’t have to be bland; in fact it can be absolutely delicious.

SourcesEchostore’s journey in

sustainability started by sourcing local and organic ingredients from sustainable sources such as vegetables from Amarelo’s organic farm, pasture raised chickens from Backyards farms, cheeses from Malagos, and grass-fed produce from Down to Earth, to name a few. “Eventually we might grow our own food or ingredients already,” Claudio adds.

“In Manila, the licensors have their own ECHOFARM in Amadeo, Cavite that already supplies fruits and vegetables to their Manila branches. Some of the food items or

ingredients in our menu can be bought at the MARKET so customers can prepare and DIY in their houses. This way customers support local and organic produce in their homes,” she says.

Claudio also says as much as it can, the store reuses and recycles store items such as glass bottles, wilted veggies and herbs (converted to dried herbs), citrus rinds as odor absorber.

“Lastly, one of our important roles is to communicate our efforts in store, trade fairs, and through social media to encourage demand for sustainable products. By offering organic, artisanal, local, healthy food and non-food products we send a message and hopefully influence customers to embrace and adapt a sustainable lifestyle,” she says.

Asked if Davao City is ready for more shops and restaurants like Echostore that offer sustainable products and food, Claudio says Dabawenyos are “more health-conscious nowadays.”

“We see fitness centers sprouting all over the city, organic fairs and markets are more evident…people in Davao are simply seeking healthier food alternatives and ‘want’ to adapt a healthier lifestyle. Locavorism (eating food that is locally produced and not moved long distances to market) and Pinoy-centric advocates are emerging, creating a specialty market for the food and retail goods we offer,” she adds.

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Organic food... FROM S8

AS the world cele-brates the day of earth I cannot help

but reflect on our corner of the globe. The Davao gulf has as an ecosystem, its unique landforms, volcanic soil, wetlands, white sandy islands, diverse wildlife and therefore a wide array of fruits, vegetables, fish and animals that feed us and delight many of our visitors. This, and a typhoon free, wet climate (Type 4 accord-ing to the Coronas scale), create a high production area for a surplus of food.

Of course, the march to modernity creates exter-nalities in the form of pol-lution and traffic. The lack of substantial urban and regional planning in many provinces creates pockets of economic growth, and similar pockets of poverty, with the rather wide divide always threatening unrest. In the end, a clean, healthy and beautiful environment will produce resources we can all equitably, happily and fairly share. This cre-ates a large living space

that truly proclaims life be-ing here. I have prepared a wish list of things that our local authorities can push to help create a greener and even more prosperous Davao.

1 . E n c o u r a g e E-jeepneys and tricycles. Perhaps the local govern-ment can provide grants for jeepney and tricycle opera-tors to shift to electric vari-ants. These are less costly to operate and maintain, and can increase the income of drivers and operators since costs for running these (fuel) is much less), and drastically reduce the con-tribution to air pollution in our airshed. At the moment, around 4,000 commuters pass Davao City’s major thoroughfares on week-days. Having ejeepneys and e-buses maybe can make clean affordable mass tran-sit available.

2. Provide local in-centives for solar instal-lations. With the advent of net electric metering, you can use the electricity that you generate and pay only

for the electricity you need to source from the grid. This can result in electricity sav-ings as there are impending increases in Mindanao due to the shift of our electricity generating source from hy-dropower to coal and die-sel. The generation charge is effectively doubles with the coal and diesel sourc-es. At the moment, peak demand of the Davao Light franchise area (including Panabo) is 300 megawatts, which is double that of Cagayan de Oro. Assuming 10 percent of our demand can come from these home based solar installations, combine this with the rise in available power from dif-ferent sources in Mindanao coming over the next two years, we can eventually lower power costs.

3. Build a riparian forest buffer along our major rivers. Rivers and waterways are life sourc-es for fish and agricultural water. Apart from being il-legal according to the Clean Water Act, It’s a shame for otherwise responsible

and law-abiding Dabawen-yos to let the public throw their wastewater into our rivers. Because of this, our riverbanks can host ripar-ian (river) forests to act as a buffer against excessive soil erosion and prevent unauthorized settlements along the banks which of-ten cause waste to end up in the river.

4. Increase biodegrad-able waste collection. Davao City currently pro-duces of waste of which more than half can easily be turned into compost that can be used to make our uplands more fertile to host food production.

5. More recreational parks. Parks with trees, flowers and even vegeta-bles compose the lungs of a city and can be nodes of common activity for enjoy-able weekends for our citi-zens and their families, and encourage a love for natural surroundings.

6. Strengthen rain-fall collection. Small wa-ter ponds in many upland Barangays can impound

water to be used for small farms and fishponds. While serving the water needs in our upland areas, it also slows down the entry of water into the lower areas and control flooding during extended rain periods. At the same time, it lessens pressure on our existing freshwater sources like the Dumoy pumps and springs.

7. Build sewage treat-ment plants for the city. As our population nears the 2 million mark, you can imagine almost 2 million cubic meter of household wastewater entering the Davao gulf daily through our rivers. This does not in-clude the wastewater from our malls and industries. At 2 million cubic meters a day, that is easily 72 mil-lion cubic meters a year of raw sewage filling the Gulf. From the air you can see the brownish water going into our seas . Already, we know well enough not to swim at the Times Beach area due to e. coli fears. I believe itsw time we take sewage treatment more

seriously before its too late.8. Annual arbor day

requirement. With the success of our recent Guin-ness World record 1.9 million trees planted in Mindanao, there ought to be an annual tree planting day for ALL elementary and high school pupils in strategic watersheds in the city and region. We must al-ways remember that there is a 20 percent mortality of planted tree seedlings. Thus, regular tree planting is needed to replant the seedlings that may have died over time.

Take note that this is just my partial list. As an environmental consultant over the last 20 years, I retain the hope that with every earth day, ordinary people will start making their own commitment to build a life-sustaining, and sustainable environment for our children. Addition-al lists may be emailed to [email protected] and I will feature them as they come. Make every day earth day!

My Earth Day wish list

THERE are likely as many an-swers to the question “Why Go Green?” as there are people who

live a sustainable lifestyle. It is a deeply personal, encompassing choice that is usually embraced wholeheartedly by the individual for often deep, philo-sophical meaning.

I’ve laid out all the most frequent-ly discussed reasons below that I could think of. Many reasons will vary greatly from each other. Some people will disagree with some of these ideas while others draw from several of them when discussing their decision.

Despite disagreements, within every person living sustainably is a common thread: the strong conviction we feel for our lifestyle and the em-powerment we experience through our actions. Whether it’s a lifestyle given to us by our culture or our own research, we live this way because it fulfills us. And despite what some may feel about another person’s answer to the question “Why Go Green”, it is a source of inspiration to be able to bond through our animation and per-sonal convictions.

This is a lot of really heavy in-formation. I don’t normally like to get all doomsday, whoa-is-us on you. But this background info is important to know if someone comes asking. So, grab a Cup O’ Something and take your time reading through it all. Or you might want to just skim through it before delving into other parts of the site. Whatever you do, don’t let it overwhelm you! It’s here only as a learning resource, not to depress you. #staypositive1. Climate Change

Why Go Green: What causes cli-mate change?

Probably most well-known as “global warming”, the science behind climate change is one of the most hot-ly debated topics among people today. Although it is often a huge motivator behind the green movement, there are still those who fail to acknowledge its validity, many others who feel helpless about it, and very few who ask the real question: Man-made or not, does it ac-tually matter?2. Peak Oil

Why Go Green: Peak Oil Theory Explained

Peak oil has gathered a lot of at-tention in recent years. The term re-fers to a peak in oil extraction followed by a decline of production and a dra-matic rise in cost. The idea that we can actually run out of (or at least, cease to be able to afford the increasingly difficult extraction of) oil is a discon-certing idea when almost every aspect of our Western lifestyle depends on it as a cheap commodity.3. Environmental Impact

Why Go Green: Environmental Pollution

While climate change and peak oil can be debated, the impact of en-vironmental pollution on humans and habitat is undeniable. Every year more fresh water is polluted, natural landscape is lost, and animals are be-coming endangered or extinct. A loss of biodiversity raises the risks of dis-ease, blight, and famine and the rate at which humans pollute the Earth is much faster than the rate at which the Earth can be restored.4. Health and Wellness

Why Go Green: Environment Af-fecting Human Health

Every week we read about a new study that explains how some environmental factor is affecting our health, or has found another danger in one of our household products or personal care items. Cancer has been linked to cleaning products, dementia to antiperspirants, a lack of nutrition to conventional farming, and asthma to air pollution. Why go green if not for your own health?5. Frugal Living

Why Go Green: Saving money by going green

Too many people think going green is expensive, but it shouldn’t be. In fact, frugal living tends to be a natu-ral by-product of a simply and sustain-able living. Did you know that when you signup to receive the 7 Day Tree-hugger Kickstart, you’ll also receive a free guide on sustainable strategies to save money.6. The Economy

Why Go Green: Supporting the local economy

Why go green? Money is always a big motivator. Choosing a sustainable lifestyle will obviously impact your choices as a consumer. For some of us, the positive impact of living simply and sustainably is increased by the positive impact on our local economy. For instance, buying from local farms means supporting neighbors whose success is directly related to your health and the health of the environ-ment.7. Minimalism

Why Go Green: Minimalisn Life-style

Many people prefer to keep their convictions closer to home, answering “Why Go Green?” with a model of liv-ing simply. This minimalism lifestyle encompasses a commitment to reduc-ing the complexities of life and allow-ing yourself to focus on the things that matter most. By connecting more and consuming less, they naturally miti-gate the effects of many environmen-tal concerns.8. Religious or Spiritual Environ-mentalism

Why Go Green: Religious Envi-ronmentalism

While some people believe religious views to be aloof to envi-ronmental woes, in many cases it’s an unfair assessment. In nearly all religious texts, from the Torah to the Judeo-Christian Bible to the Qoran, there is a call to be stewards of the land, caring for and protecting the gifts given to followers of their faith. Also included are many Easterns be-liefs, such as Buddhism and Paganism, with whom a reverence for nature is paramount.9. Self-Sufficiency

Why Go Green: Self-SufficiencyGreen and sustainable living is a

natural by-product of living self-suf-ficiently. Anyone wishing to be truly sustainable in their own lives even-tually comes to the realization that they cannot rely on the unsustainable infrastructure provided to us by cheap oil and shady political deals. Living off-the-grid, whether environmental or political, requires the use of renewable energies, as well as the sustainable care of land, self and other resources.


By JOHN TRIA

9 reasons why we should go green


DAVAO GoingGreen

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015S8

ONE would think that a place like Davao City, which is rich in natu-

ral resources, would have an overflow of restaurants that offer organic and sustainably grown food. The reality, how-ever, is that such eating places are few and far between. Like any other highly urbanized area, Davao is replete with dining options that are not necessarily friendly to health and the environment.

There are, however, a few places that stand out for their commitment both to their customers and to the plan-

et. They offer delicious food without compromising the environment, serving food sourced from organic farming and sustainable food growing practices.

Organic food is produced by organic farming, which in turn means farming that fos-ters the cycling of resources, promotes ecological balance, and conserves biodiversity. Organic farming does not al-low synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Sustainable agriculture, for its part, is the act of farm-ing using principles of ecolo-


DAVAO GoingGreen

By JON JOAQUIN

gy, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. It has been defined as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will last over the long term.”

Sustainable farming makes the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate natural biological cycles and controls. It sustains the economic viability of farm operations and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

One restaurant that is making waves in Davao City is Echostore along the Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road) in Buhangin. Echo-store Davao is a franchise of the Manila-based business ECHOstore Sustainable Life-style, the first concept store of its kind in the Philippines. Organic food B

ECHO is the acronym for Envi-ronment & Community Hope Organization STORE. “In one place,” the company says in its website, “you can get every-thing you need to start you on your way to living a sustain-able lifestyle.”

Social enterprise“I’d been wanting to put

up a social enterprise for some time,” Echostore Davao owner Kristine Sarah Clau-dio tells Edge Davao. “Being in the retail business for sev-en years, I felt that Echostore would be the perfect business model. I just chanced upon the flagship store in Serendra sometime March 2013. This desire was fueled all the more after attending the Gawad Ka-linga social business summit in the Enchanted Farm in Bu-lacan October last year.”

ORGANIC FOOD:Sustainable, delicious

pasta ala trio

ECHO Mushroom Burger

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015 S9

THERE are a lot of distinct fea-tures about Ci-

udades that makes it attractive and dif-ferent from other real estate projects in Davao City. Not only is it the first large-scale integrat-ed mixed-use town-ship development in this part of the land, it is one remarkable project that high-lights the beauty of nature.

It’s developer—the Torre Lorenzo Develop-ment Corporation—has masterfully designed Ciudades to become Davao’s new center with an accessible location within Buhangin Dis-trict’s picturesque valley.

As Torre Lorenzo best describes it, Ciu-dades is a unique harmo-ny of nature and creative master planning.

The project’s loca-tion comprises of 200 hectares of rolling ter-rain, greenways, the Davao River and moun-tain ranges.

The First Mindanao Business Industrial Park (FMBIP) is the business and industrial hub of Ciudades which is now

nearing completion. The FMBIP is a 20-hect-are area earmarked as a Business-Industri-al-Residential-Estate (BIRE) that is paving the way for the development of the 200-hectare Ciu-dades township.

FMBIP will have a centralized sewerage fa-cility and water system and continuous power supply from Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC).

The hub also brings together the energy and resources for business, commercial and residen-tial use into one secure, green environment com-prising of 84 lots.

Conceived as a mod-ern, efficient and tech-nology-enabled com-munity, FMBIP is thus geared towards devel-oping and supporting the growth of Davao City and the rest of the re-gion.

FMBIP’s modern architecture will also complement the scenic landscape. All buildings will be distinguished by their clean lines, steel and glass accents, and themed lighting.

The Ciudades project also has a recreational facility called El Centro,

a world-class Bike Park in the river park ease-ment (80 meters) and a football field with an ar-tificial turf.

The Visitor Center will be opened by the third quarter of this year.

Ciudades Avenue, the road going to Indan-gan, is also almost com-plete.

There is also a pri-vate road exclusive to lot owners and locators of the Ciudades town-ship on the other side towards Waan called the Sta.Lucia/Ciudades East segment Bridge.

Aside from its busi-ness and industrial com-ponents, Ciudades also features subdivisions, two education institu-tions, recreational area and a commercial com-plex.

Torre Lorenzo has already submitted to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) its application to be-come an accredited eco-nomic zone.

The company is now looking for locators which are light indus-tries, non-pollutants, service establishments, warehouse operators and IT-based companies.



DAVAO GoingGreen

Photos by Engr. Aldrich Morante


DAVAO GoingGreen

AEON TOWERS

The Aeon Towers, a 33-story mixed use skyscraper project by homegrown developer FTC Group of Companies Inc. uses green technology in this much-anticipated project. This would-be tallest building in Mindanao (when completed in 2016) uses ultraviolet (UV) protected glass for the entire building which allows for only the sunlight to penetrate inside all the units but without the heat. This technology gives the building a naturally cool effect.Realizing the area is flood-prone, FTC made sure it won’t be affected by any flooding in the future. Hence, it rehabilitated the surrounding drainage system and replaced the small culverts in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways. (NJB)

THE MATINA ENCLAVES

The Matina Enclaves is an 8-hectare mixed use real estate development by another homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco). Located in Matina and surrounded by a golf course, schools and malls, the project boasts of a flodd-free design. The architects behind the project made sure the entire complex is elevated and the drainage and water catchment facilities designed to make it flood-resistant. Not only that, the architects made sure that the surrounding environs are also flood-free. Hence, it also rehabilitated the drainage in surrounding areas.The development is also designed to maximize open areas where water could percolate and go directly to the aquifer and not to the drainage lines which could result to flooding. Turf blocks are also used for outdoor parking spaces instead of solid concrete. (NJB)

How developers in Davao go green?


DAVAO GoingGreen

10 tips for making everyday Earth Day

WHEN SM La-nang Premier opened in 2012,

it brought not just premier shopping experience to Dabawenyos but also initia-tives in making Davao City a better place to live.

Situated in one of the most progressive areas in Davao City, the mall taught people both to “shop till you drop” and to manage their own garbage. Designated garbage bins for trash and even pet waste are placed all around the vicinity.

Almost three years af-ter its opening, SM Lanang Premier continues to im-plement more green ini-tiatives. As the world cel-ebrated the annual Earth Day last Wednesday, SM La-nang Premier launched the Earth Day Trash to Cash, an eco-friendly initiatives of SM Cares, the flagship CSR program of SM Supermalls nationwide.

“Anchored on the con-

cept of recycling market, Trash to Cash lets you trade or sell your trash to our contracted scrap buyers and convert it into cash,” SM Lanang Premier mall manager Mary Therese T. Lapeña-Manalo said.

Manalo said the pro-gram aims to encourage people to protect and re-spect Mother Earth through recycling and proper waste disposal.

The Trash to Cash Recy-cling market is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month at the open Park-ing D beside the SM Store.

Manalo encouraged the public to make recycling a regular habit. “Bring your junk and other old items you don’t use anymore and get them exchanged to cash with our accredited scrap buyers,” she said.

Operations supervisor for Trash to Cash Sander John R. Diaz said the pro-gram was started in Decem-

SM Lanang: How to turn trash into cashBy CHENEEN R. CAPON

EDGEDAVAOCares

ber 2012. “It was first our tenants who participated in Trash to Cash but settlers living near the mall start-ed to bring their recyclable garbage here later on,” Diaz said. “SM is here not just for shopping but also for help-ing communities.”

He said the mall collects a minimum of four tons of

recyclables every year. “It ranges from paper to plas-tic bottles or scrap metals, among others,” he said.

Diaz said there are two contracted scrap collectors that buy the recyclables at a very good price. Partic-ipants have the choice to either keep the earning or give it to SM Cares Hous-

ing Program which aims to build typhoon-resilient houses for Typhoon Yolan-da survivors.

As of November 2014, SM Foundation turned over 200 houses to chosen bene-ficiary survivors of Yolanda. The houses are located in Barangay Polambato, Bago City in northern Cebu.

The 200 houses are the first of the 1,000 disas-ter-resilient homes that will be given for free to the sur-vivors.

SM Foundation is tar-geting to build the rest of the 1,000 homes in Concep-cion, Iloilo; New Kawayan, Tacloban City; and Ormoc City, Leyte.

SM Lanang Premier mall manager Mary Therese T. Lapeña-Manalo (left) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Ecological Solid Waste Management Section chief Ruby M. Bie weigh a bulk of old newspaper that can be converted to cash during the celebration of Earth Day Trash to Cash at the SM Lanang Premier Open Parking D on Wednesday.


DAVAO GoingGreen

edge davao 8 issue 17 - going green

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