CEBU CITY, Cebu - Industry stakeholders in the region’s construction sector are pushing for a “Greenclusive (green and inclusive) Construction Industry” in a bid to foster concerted efforts towards green building practices.

The “Building a Greenclusive Construction Industry” forum takes place today, June 24, 2023 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino organized by key stakeholders in the region’s construction industry including the Cebu Contractors Association (CCA), Habitat for Humanity's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD),

Philippine Institute of Interior Designers-Cebu Chapter (PIID-Cebu), and the United Architects of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter.

This pioneering event will bring in industry leaders for a full day of discussion and collaboration, while sharing innovations, best practices, innovative business models, as well as policies and regulations towards a greener and more inclusive construction industry to a much wider audience.

Engr. Dean Ashton Plamenco, Engineering for Change Alumni Fellow will present his study that analyzes the current landscape of sustainable, green and circular housing solutions in the Philippines, and expounds that while underserved populations continue to be adversely impacted by the effects of climate change, there is the need for a more sustainable housing sector which offers adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing.

Engr. Crystal Comon, the Building Official of Mandaue City’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) will discuss how the Mandaue City government, through the support of its constituents, is able to demonstrate how urban planning and architecture can create sustainable, healthy, productive, and beautiful cities in her presentation entitled Mandaue City’s Green Building Code: Adopting the BERDE Certification.

Meanwhile Dir. Rowena Dineros, presently designated as Officer-in-Charge of the Public Housing and Settlements Service of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will discuss more about the national agency’s roll out of its program on green and inclusive housing microfinance.

Panel discussions will converge industry leaders to tackle innovative construction and housing solutions that help reduce the use of non-renewable resources,minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments—from design,materials, to construction.

“Green Design” focuses on design elements that result in buildings that are resilient to natural disaster and climate hazards, the standards that are available in ensuring that the designs are “green,” and the business case for green design.

“Green Materials” explores examples of these green building materials; how the production, promotion, and distribution of these materials have impacted overall businesses; how these materials have advanced the construction industry in Cebu and Central Visayas towards sustainability; and how these green materials make business sense.

Green construction starts with the understanding that the built environment can have effects, both positive and negative, on the natural environment as well as residents.

Adequate planning, design, and safe construction should result in construction that is resilient to natural disasters and climate hazards.

The Greenclusive Cebu 2023 forum is the one of the “green track” during the three-day PhilConstruct Visayas Expo on June 22-24, 2023, also happening on the same venue.