Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._ 2962

Introduced by Honorable Anna York P. Bondoc, MD

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill requires that all government buildings be set, designed,
constructed, operated, maintained and retrofitted using environmentally
responsible materials, sustainable architecture techniques and other green
building practices for the purpose of reducing the building impacts on
environment and human health.

Buildings have been responsible for large amount of land use, energy
and water consumption, and air and atmosphere. Such fact runs counter to
the very policy of the sustainable development and the Constitutional right of
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.

The escalating concerns on environmental degradation and its recognized
consequence like global warming and climate change and the broad array of
challenges which include the high and rising cost of energy, the worsening
power grid constraints and power quality problems, the increased cost of
waste, water, and waste disposal and associated costs of water pollution made
it imperative to adopt policies that will condense the general adverse
environmental impact of the built environment and will consequently cut costs
and save environmental resources.

Green building uses one third less energy than conventional buildings. It
espouses the (a) reduction of operating costs by increasing productivity and
using less energy, water and other resources, (b) improvement of public and
occupant health due to improved indoor air quality, and (c) decrease of waste,
pollution and environmental decay.

The green building policy is our tool to address environmental degradation
and the broad array of environmental challenges and ultimately to save the
sole habitat of human being.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this urgent bill is
earnestly sought.

ANNA YORK/P. BONDOC, MD


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__ 2962

Introduced by Honorable Anna York P. Bondoc, MD

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A GREEN BUILDING STANDARD FOR PLANNING,
DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION OR MAINTENANCE PRACTICES,
RENOVATION, EXPANSION AND RETROFITTING OF GOVERNMENT
BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title.
This act shall be known as the “Green Building Act”

SEC. 2. Purpose of the Act

To establish high-performance building standard, for the planning, design,
construction, operation or maintenance practices, renovation and expansion of
building projects and the retrofitting of existing government buildings which
will mitigate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of built
structures

SEC. 3. Applicability.

The provisions in this act apply to the planning, design, construction,
operation or maintenance practices, renovation, expansion and retrofitting of
government owned buildings in the country.

All historic structures shall be exempt from the requirements of this act.
Nevertheless, the green building policy may still be adopted in the operation or
maintenance practices, renovation and expansion of such structures provided
that the historical integrity of the structure shall not be compromised.

Government buildings and structures which are unoccupied or which serve a
specialized function, including but not limited to buildings such as a pump
station, garage, or storage building, shall not be subject to the requirements of
this act.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms.

For the purposes of this Code, the following definition of terms shall govern:

(a) “Building” means any structure used or intended for supporting or
sheltering any use or occupancy;

(b) “Construction” means the building of any building or structure, or any
portion thereof;

(c) “Design” refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a
structure, system, or component with intention


(d) “Government” shall include the national government and all local
government units, as well as departments, regulatory agencies,
instrumentalities, and implementing units of the same;

(e) “Green building” means an integrated, or whole building, approach to the
planning, design, construction, and operation of buildings and their
surrounding landscapes that helps mitigate the environmental,
economic, and social impacts of buildings so they are energy efficient,
sustainable, secure and safe, cost-effective, accessible, functional,
productive, and aesthetic;

(f) “Historic structure” means any building or structure listed on or eligible
for listing on a national, state or local register or list of historic resources;

(g) “Maintenance and Operation” means the performance of the routine
actions in keeping any building or structure in good condition;

(h) | “Renovation” means any change, addition, or modification to an existing
building or structure that requires a building permit under pertinent
laws;

(i) “Retrofitting” means the act of adding a component or accessory to
existing government buildings to conform with the green building
standards;

(i) “Standard” refers to the Green Building Management Standard or the set
or required level of quality or attainment for the government buildings
and structures.

SEC. 5. Green Building Education and Information.

The Government shall take measures, including the design, development, and
dissemination of information and education materials, to promote and
implement this act. The Government shall ensure that objective, accurate,
comprehensive and updated information on green building policies and
standards are available at all times not only to government institutions but
also to the general public.

To raise awareness on the importance and benefits of green building standards,
the month of March in each and every year throughout the Philippines shall be
known as “Green Building Month.”

SEC. 6. Green Building Management Standard

A Green Building Management Standard shall be developed as provided for in
Section 7 for the accomplishment of the purpose of this Act. All government
owned and controlled buildings shall adopt the Standard.

Applicable standards shall be set for the purposes of planning, designing,
constructing, operating or maintaining, renovating and expanding building
projects and for the purpose of retrofitting existing buildings.

SEC. 7. Implementation and Monitoring.
(a) There shall be a Green Building National Board to be composed of the
following members:
i, the Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary or his
representative who shall be its ex officio-Chairman;
ii. the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary or
his representative;
iii. the Department of Energy Secretary or his representative;
iv. the Department of Health Secretary or his representative;
v. four (4) representatives from the academe and private sectors having
expertise in building construction, development, engineering, natural
resources conservation, energy conservation, green building practices,


environmental protection, environmental law, or other similar green
building expertise.

(a) The Green Building National Board shall have the following powers and
functions:

i. Establish the Green Building Management Standard to be followed in
the planning, design, construction, operation or maintenance practices,
renovation and expansion of government owned buildings and in the
retrofitting of existing government buildings;

ii, Make policy recommendations designed to continually improve and
update the act;

iii. Monitor the compliance with the requirements of this act;

iv. Provide assistance in the development, adoption, and revisions of this
act, including suggestions for additional incentives to promote green
building practices;

v. The evaluation of the effectiveness of green building policies and their
impact on the environmental health, including the relation of the
development of the green building policies to the specific environmental
challenges;

vi. Develop green building practices to be followed by the government
building;

vii.Promotion of green building education to the public regarding the
benefits of the green building standards;

viii, Monitor the issuance of “Green Building” certification by authorized
accrediting body.

ix. Maintain registry of “Green Building” accrediting bodies, which it shall
make available to the public;

x. Maintain registry of “Green Building” government institutions, which it

shall make available to the public;
. Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary for or
incidental to the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.

ott

(c) The DPWH shall be the Governmental department principally responsible
for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act. For
this purpose, it shall have the following powers and functions:

i, Promulgate such rules and regulations necessary or proper for the
implementation of this Act and the accomplishment of its purposes and
objectives;

ii, Request the assistance of Government agencies and/or the private
sector to ensure the effective and efficient implementation and
enforcement of, and strict compliance with, the provisions of this Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated in accordance herewith;
Exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary for or
incidental to the attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.

iii

SEC. 8. Green Building Certification.

The “Green Building” certification, upon satisfying the green building
standards, shall be issued by any accrediting body duly authorized by the
Green Building National Board.

SEC. 9. Funding Provision.

The Secretary of the DPWH shall immediately hereinafter 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, orders, issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause.

The provisions of this Act are hereby deemed distinct and separable from ez
other. If any provision hereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the other provisions which
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Effectivity.
This Act shall take effect one hundred twenty (120) days following its
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.