EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
U§r..-- 
•
. > O il:.
^  ' t
SENATE
s. No. 
8 9 5
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A GREEN BUILDING STANDARD FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDING
PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Studies show that buildings consume one-third of the total energy produced in 
the country while causing greenhouse gas emissions during consumption. There is a 
need to make buildings energy efficient and energy conservation in order to promote 
the country's environmental sustainability. The lack of regulation of building energy 
consumption could lead to energy scarcity. The inability to regulate or prevent 
greenhouse gas emissions of buildings would also significantly impact the country's 
treasured long coastlines and its reliance on agricultural livelihood.
As a means of addressing this problem, foreign jurisdictions have developed 
green building standards and incentivized the construction of green buildings. Green 
buildings 
are 
structures 
particularly 
designed 
to 
utilize 
processes 
that 
are 
environmentally conscious, responsible, and resourceful. Green buildings contemplate 
energy conservation throughout the stages of construction, operation, maintenance, 
and even demolition. In this manner, green buildings promote a more stable 
environmental community around it as well as healthy indoor environments for 
occupants.


The proposed measure requires government buildings to adopt green building 
standards. Hence, a green building management standard is mandated to be 
established by the Department of Public Works and Highways. The Department is 
further empowered to require and monitor compliance with the standards by all 
covered buildings.
Considering the pressing need for environmental conservajjsii4he passage of 
this measure is urged.
lEL “ LITO” M. LAPIt
Senator 
r l


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
.
« 0 " l i  ‘ I 'f (!)■ 
& y .  
: 
i 
I*
SENATE
S. No. 
^  
5
*19 AUG 13 PI :06
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A GREEN BUILDING STANDARD FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDING
PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "The Green Building Act".
2 
Sec. 2. State Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to regulate the energy efficiency
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of buildings, such as by mitigating their environmental, economic, and social impact, in
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order to promote environmental sustainability and energy conservation within the
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country. Pursuant thereto, the State shall establish standards to make the construction,
6 
operation, 
and 
overall 
management of 
buildings 
environmentally 
sound 
and
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ecologically healthy.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -  For the purposes of this Code, the following terms
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shall be understood to refer to:
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a) "Building" means any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering
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any use or occupancy:


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b) "Construction" means the putting up of any building or structure, or any
2 
portion thereof;
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c) "Design" refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a
4 
structure, system, or component;
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d) "Government" shall include the national government and all local government
6 
units, as well as departments, regulatory agencies, instrumentalities, and implementing
7 
units of the same;
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e) "Green building" means an integrated or holistic building approach to the
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planning, design, construction, and operation of buildings and their surrounding
10 
landscapes with the purpose of mitigating the environmental, economic, and social
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impacts of buildings to promote energy efficiency, structural and operational
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sustainability, security, safety, operational cost-effectiveness and productiveness,
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accessibility, and aesthetic design;
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f) “Historical shrines" shall refer to historical sites or structures hallowed and
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revered for their history or association as declared by the National Historical
16 
Commission of the Philippines;
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g) "Historic structure" means any building or structure listed on or eligible for
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listing by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines;
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h) "Maintenance" or "Operation" means the performance of routine actions in
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keeping any building or structure in good condition;
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i) "Renovation" means any change, addition, or modification to an existing
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building;
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j) “Retrofitting' means the act of adding a component or accessory to existing
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government buildings to conform with green building standards;


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k) "Standard" refers to the Green Building Management Standard, to be
2 
promulgated pursuant to this Act and which shall require particular levels of quality for
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government buildings and structures.
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Sec. 4. Applicability. -  The provisions of this Act shall apply to all government-
5 
owned buildings; Provided, That all historical shrines shall be exempt from the
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coverage of this Act:: Provided further, That should the provisions of this Act be
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adopted in the operation, maintenance, renovation, or expansion of historic structures,
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the historical significance of the structure shall not be compromised.
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Government buildings and structures that are unoccupied or that serve a
10 
specialized function, including, but not limited to, pump stations, garages, or storage
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buildings, shall not be subjected to the requirements of this Act.
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Sec. 5. Green Building Management Standard. -  A Green Building Management
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Standard shall be developed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
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applicable standards for planning, designing, constructing, operating or maintaining,
15 
renovating, and expanding building projects as well as for the purpose of retrofitting
16 
existing buildings.
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Sec. 6. Implementation and Monitoring. 
-  The DPWH shall be principally
18 
responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act. For
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this purpose, it shall have the following powers and functions:
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a) Establish the Green Building Management Standard and promulgate such other
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rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of this Act;
22
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b) Make policy recommendations designed to continually improve and update the
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proper implementation of this Act, including providing assistance in the
25 
development, adoption, and revisions of this Act, as well as suggesting
26 
incentives to promote green building practices;
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c) Evaluation of the effectiveness of green building policies and their impact on 
environmental health, including the relation of the development of the green 
building policies to specific environmental challenges in a particular locality;
d) Promotion of green building information and education to the public;
e) Monitor compliance with the provisions of this Act;
f) Monitor the issuance of “Green Building” certifications by authorized accrediting 
bodies;
g) Maintain a registry of "Green Building" accrediting bodies, which it shall make 
available to the public;
h) Maintain a registry of "Green Building" certified government institutions, which it 
shall make available to the public;
i) 
Enlist the assistance of other agencies or the private sector to ensure the 
effective and efficient implementation of and strict compliance with the 
provisions of this Act; and
j) 
Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary for or incidental 
to the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 7. Green Building Education and Information. -  The DPWH shall take measures,
26 
including the design, development, and dissemination of information and education
27 
materials, to promote and implement this Act. It shall ensure that objective, accurate.


1 
comprehensive, and updated information on green building policies and standards are
2 
available at all times not only to government institutions but also to the general public.
3 
Sec. 8. Green Building Certification. - Upon a covered agency's satisfaction of green
4 
building standards, as provided for under this Act, the Green Building Management
5 
Standard, and the implementing rules and regulations, a "Green Building" certification
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shall be issued.
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Sec. 9 Funding Provision. - The Secretary of the DPWH shall include in the 
Department's programs the prompt implementation of this Act, funding of which shall be 
provided for in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations, or portions thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
12 
modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any part of provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
15 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
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two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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Approved,