Baguio City Secures P255 Million for Permaculture Community

This is a model that when operated properly can fuel an entire ecosystem of real estate, employment, and even healthy living. REBPH supports this kind of community.

A first in the history of Northern Luzon, Baguio City has secured a P255 million grant for its socialized housing project, Philstar reported. 

Called a “permaculture community,” the development features eight structures holding 270 housing units, all within a 1.8-hectare property in Irisan, the biggest barangay in the city.

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All the buildings will have south-facing roofs for a possible installation of a solar power farm. The housing units will occupy 40 percent of the land, while the remaining 60 percent will be for green spaces.

In the initial phases of the project, the local government will build two structures containing 64 socialized housing units. Residents in vulnerable areas will be the priority for relocation. 

The permaculture community in Irisan will be the first of its kind of socialized housing project not only in the province of Cordillera but in the entire region of Northern Luzon. Other parts of the country will likewise have these communities and will follow Irisan.

The budget for the initiative came from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). The National Housing Authority (NHA) is likewise a partner in the government housing project.

Impact of Permaculture Design

A combination of the words “permanent” and “agriculture,” permaculture is a philosophy that promotes rethinking and reconstructing communities in such a way that people live harmoniously with the natural environment.

In a webinar organized by the Climate Change Commission and the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda back in July, environmental advocates described permaculture as designing with nature through an ‘ecosystems and biodiversity’ approach. 

According to experts, the philosophy empowers communities, promoting the creation and use of raw materials abundant in a specific locale. It aids farmers and researchers in determining the available resources in the land. Moreover, it fosters responsible waste management and seed care.

Urban gardening is part of permaculture, as it can contribute to reducing the negative impact on the environment. 

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When the enhanced community quarantine was first implemented, the government aggressively pushed for households to cultivate plants to support food security, GMA News Online reported.

Recently, DHSUD Chief Eduardo del Rosario cited the significant role of environmental planners in improving the sustainability and resiliency of the country’s housing and urban development sector.

Real Estate Industry on Sustainability

The private sector, particularly real estate developers, has likewise responded to the pressing need for environmental action.

In the roundtable discussion Lamudi organized last October titled New Behaviors, New Demands: What Matters to Homebuyers Now, industry leaders talked about sustainability features in their projects. May Lopez, Vice President and Business Unit Head of I-Land, explained that they comply with the green building standards of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Their projects feature low-emittance glass, green open areas, and water-saving fixtures, among other eco-conscious amenities.

Meanwhile, SM Development Corporation (SMDC)’s President Jose Mari Banzon talked about their projects’ rainwater-harvesting systems and walk-friendly locations, as the company committed to reducing carbon footprint.

According to Lopez, adopting amenities that support sustainability is part of future-proofing developments.

Last October, President Duterte declared September 8 as the National Green Building Day, Manila Bulletin reported. The celebration aims to increase awareness on the “efficient and equitable use of resources, proper water and waste management, and integration of eco-friendly processes and systems” in developments.

Greening Real Estate

In a report Colliers International Philippines published last April, offices within central business districts (CBDs) lead the movement towards a greener property industry. They represent 87 percent of the 6.5 million square meters of certified green space. Hotels, industrial structures, retail establishments, institutional buildings, and residential condominiums accounted for the remaining 13 percent.

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The green building movement is taking off in provincial areas as well. About 38 percent of certified green buildings in districts outside the capital region are industrial structures, while offices represented 43 percent. The residential segment has likewise seen developments across different market segments.

Although these figures are promising, Colliers sees a huge opportunity to foster green developments further in the horizontal market in provincial areas. It named Southern and Central Luzon as regions of interest, as they flexed real estate demand. 

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Article and Photo originally posted by Lamudi last December 4, 2020. Minor edits have been made by REBPH to cater to its own readers.

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