Green Building for a Green University: SLSU and PGBI Promote Sustainable Practices
The University Planning and Development Office of Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), in collaboration with the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI), recently conducted an orientation titled "Green Building for a Green University." The event aimed to educate the university community and stakeholders on the principles of green and sustainable infrastructure while equipping planners and designers from each campus with the necessary knowledge to align the university’s Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP) with green technologies and sustainable practices. Eventually, these practices will be embedded in the project management manual of the university.
Green building practices aim to reduce a structure's environmental footprint while promoting healthier spaces for occupants. A sustainable design minimizes human impact on natural surroundings, resources, and materials while increasing efficiency in resource use, such as energy, water, and materials. By integrating sustainability into the university’s infrastructure development, SLSU aligns its initiatives with the Philippine Development Plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Philippine Green Building Code.
Prominent resource speakers from PGBI shared their expertise during the orientation. Ar. Emelito C. Punsalan, Ar. Michaela Rosette M. Santos-Tayag, and Engr. Dominador DG Castro, Jr. emphasized the urgency of greening and decarbonizing the built environment to mitigate climate change. They highlighted key elements contributing to sustainable buildings, including responsive site planning, indoor environmental quality, efficient water use, material sustainability, climate resilience, and effective building operations management. They also discussed how these aspects contribute to achieving Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) and cited institutions that have undergone green certification. Ar. Rosette Santos-Tayag further elaborated on the accreditation and rating systems for green campus buildings. She outlined the benefits of sustainable construction, such as reduced human exposure to toxic materials, conservation of natural resources, minimized ecological impact, and lower carbon emissions. Additional advantages include cost efficiency in construction and maintenance, rapid financial payback, and improved health and comfort for building occupants.
The orientation encouraged the SLSU community to integrate sustainability into academic curricula and regularly hold seminars to reinforce green practices. Designers were urged to incorporate zero-energy-ready features into new campus buildings and the retrofitting of old and existing buildings and facilities to establish a culture of sustainability. By embedding green initiatives in university operations and student learning, SLSU aims to instill environmental responsibility and foster a generation committed to sustainable development.
With these initiatives, SLSU takes a significant step toward becoming a model green university, demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable growth.
