OBO to lead TWG of Proposed City Green Building Ordinance

The City Council committee on planning, research and innovation and people’s organization accreditation, chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, on its meeting last week created a Technical Working Group (TWG) to thoroughly review and further study the proposed ordinance providing for the Green Building Regulations of Cagayan de Oro City.

The TWG was also tasked to respond to the questions raised during the discussion relative to the recommendation report of Xavier University, entitled: Localization of the Philippine Green Building Code for the Local Government of Cagayan de Oro City prepared for the Office of the City Building Official (OBO).

The TWG shall be composed of the Office of the City Building Official (chair), Xavier University Engineering Resource Center (vice-chair), and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD), City Local Environment and Natural Resources (CLENRO), and City Engineer’s Office (CEO) as members.

Introduced by Councilor Ian Mark Q. Nacaya, the purpose of the proposed ordinance is to promote public health, safety and welfare by assuring that residential, commercial and civic development is consistent with the City’s goals of supporting and promoting a more sustainable community by incorporating green building measures into the design, construction and maintenance of buildings thereby improving the efficiency of buildings in the use of natural resources, contributing to the global efforts in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and minimizing impact of buildings on health and environment through Green Building Regulations.

The green building measures included in the proposed ordinance are designed to increase energy efficiency in buildings, promote water and resource conservation, reduce waste generated by construction projects, and provide durable buildings that are efficient and economical to own and operate.

It also aims to improve indoor air quality and occupant’s health and contribute to meeting the nation’s and the city’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas production and emissions.