Edge Davao 8 Issue 17 - Going Green

EDGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

DAVAO

Serving a seamless society

AN EARTH-FRIENDLY SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

INSIDE

Breathe, Davao air is good Organic food: Sustainable, delicious Green living at North Point

Going green

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

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N these days of climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and dwindling food supply, more people are aware of saving the environment from further destruction. In time, green becomes the color of any in-

novation.

Even in construction, it’s going green, too!

Sustainable or “green building” design and construction is the opportunity to use our resources more efficiently, while creating health-

ier and more energy-efficient homes. “Although there is no magic formula,” says the website of greenbuildingsolutions.org, “success comes in the form of leaving a lighter footprint on the environment through conservation

of resources, while at the same time balancing energy-efficient, cost-effective, low-maintenance products for our construction needs.”

In simpler terms, green building design involves finding the delicate balance

between homebuilding and the sustainable environment.

This is especially true as it is getting warmer each year due to the concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

“Many people do not know rigid and blown foamed insulation is made of plastics or that the use of plastics in building and construction often uses less energy and creates less greenhouse gas per

FGOING GREEN, S2

Going EDGE DAVAO Green S2 Serving a seamless society

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

Breathe, Davao air is good

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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AVAO City still has one of the best air quality in the country.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENREMB) 11 has declared Davao City to have a good air quality despite the developments happening around the metropolis particularly in the construction industry. ”So far, it’s good. Davao City at present is surrounded by good air quality”, EMB 11 Chief of Air and Water Quality Management Section Engr.

Ricardo T. Biong said in a recent interview.

With the rapidly changing landscape in Davao City, EMB-XI takes seriously the efforts to promote the Clean Air Act and its implementing provisions.

Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program which aims to achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.

“It strongly advocates for air pollution free environment by urging the public to be aware of environmental pollutants and its negative

effects to human health and participate in a very simple way whether at home, office or elsewhere to reduce air pollution,” the statement said .

EMB-XI is mandated to strengthen its air quality monitoring activities round the clock. Currently, there are six stations for air quality monitoring activities in the city. Of these two stations, automatic real time equipment are located within Davao City Francisco Bangoy International Airport compound and in Calinan Elementary School.

EMB 11 said that these real time equipments measure gaseous pollutants in the air in an hourly basis thus, provide the EMB-XI with air quality data at the soonest time.

Moreover, provision of air quality equipments will be in placed at Tagum City and Digos City in the later part of the current year.

“Conserve energy or take a bus instead of car somehow minimizes pollutants in the air. If Davaoeños have the heart for the environment, we would surely enjoy the benefits of a pollution free environment”, Biong advised.

states. “Waste-water may be minimized by utilizing water conserving fixtures such as ultra-low flush toilets and lowflow shower heads. Bidets help eliminate the use of toilet paper, reducing sewer traffic and increasing possibilities of re-using water on-site.”

Indeed, the time of green buildings has come. Especially now that the world’s growing population is becoming ever more urban. “This transition has the potential to dramatically improve human development while reducing the stress that we place on the world’s resources,” noted the introduction of ‘Southern Innovator,’ a magazine celebrating South-South innovation.

“But this is not a certain outcome and will not happen unless people make radical changes to the way in which they live their lives,” it added.

“The products and resources that people use to improve

their living standards also deplete their finite resources and often leave pollution and toxic waste behind.”

By 2050, two out of every three people on the planet will live in a city. “We are living as if we have an extra planet at our disposal,” deplores Jim Leape, director-general of WWF International. “We are using 50% more resources than the Earth can sustainably produce and unless we change course, the number will grow fast: by 2030 even two planets will not be enough.”

But if there’s a will, there’s a way. “It is not a time to lose hope: the range of solutions to these challenges is vast, and many innovators and pioneers are developing new ways to do things,” the magazine’s introduction said.

Certainly, green buildings are among the possible solution!

STILL GOOD. Despite the effects of industrialization and the present construction boom, Davao City’s air remains safe and good. Lean Daval Jr.

Going green... FROM S1 application than traditional materials,” the greenbuildingsolutions.org points out.

According to Wikipedia, green building design involves finding the balance between homebuilding and the sustainable environment. This requires close cooperation of the design team, the architects, the engineers, and the client at all project stages. In concept, the green building practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design and green architecture.

Sustainability may be defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of

future generations to meet their needs. Although some green building programs don’t address the issue of the retrofitting existing homes, others do, especially through public schemes for energy efficient refurbishment.

“Green buildings play a fundamental role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” pointed out Jane Henley, chief executive officer of the World Green Building Council.

Green building, she said, can help reduce the global carbon footprint, save money and improve productivity. In addition to these benefits, it also creates jobs and improves the lives of millions of people.

Let’s talk about sustainable development. This concept can be traced to the energy (especially fossil oil) crisis and environmental pollution concerns of the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1962, Rachel Carson published a book entitled “Silent Spring.” The book is considered to be one of the first initial efforts to describe sustainable development as related to green building.

In the United States, the green building movement originated from the need and desire for more energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction practices. There are a number of motives for building green, including environmental, economic, and social benefits.

This brings us to green construction technology? Actually, it’s a wide category as it covers everything -- from energy-efficient appliances to geothermal heating. It strikes a balance between eco-friendly building materials everyone can use when building a new home and more advanced green technologies that bring cool advancements in science

to the construction industry.

Think of bio-degradable paint (did you know it’s made using milk?) and glass that tints on command.

Building materials typically considered to be “green” include lumber from forests that have been certified to a third-party forest standard, rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and straw, dimension stone, recycled stone, recycled metal, and other products that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable.

Some key objectives in sustainable building include reducing water consumption and protecting water quality.

“The protection and conservation of water throughout the life of a building may be accomplished by designing for dual plumbing that recycles water in toilet flushing or by using water for washing of the cars,” Wikipedia

Going EDGEDAVAO Green S3 Serving a seamless society

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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OCAL brand Humabi bags took center stage during a fashion show at the Hacienda of DMC-Urban Property Developers Inc. in Catalunan Pequeño Saturday.

Erika Soriano-Mata and DMC-UPDI of the Consunji Group of Companies partnered in promoting her quality bags made out of plastic straw ropes and the housing projects of the real estate developer, including its Verdon Parc condominium project in Ecoland Drive.

The 35-year-old Mata and her husband, Dr. Richard Mata had conceived a meaningful idea in Humabi, selling the bags to help some scholars of the Philippine Science High School and the women at the city’s correctional institution.

Proceeds from the sale of the Humabi bags go directly to the scholars and women inside the correctional, thus giving them more opportunity to finish college and hope.

“My husband and I believe in education,” Erika said in explaining her advocacy to held brilliant students but just less fortunate when it comes to finances.

“We really want to help in our own little way,” she added.

Erika said she was named by the Consunji Group of Companies as its ambassadress of the real estate company’s Verdon Parc and Hacienda.

She said the collaboration will also promote the DMC-UPDI’s housing projects since Mother’s Day is just around the corner.

The Humabi bags are handmade products produced inside the city’s correctional institution and are popular even in Manila, including some celebrities.

The mother’s bag or hand bags are sold at P1,800 each while the kids backpack is sold at P1,600 apiece. The sling bag for the teens are also priced at P1,600.

DMC-UPDI officer-in-charge Merly Q. Amoguis, meanwhile, said Phase 1 of Hacienda is all sold-out while Phase 2, which has 69 lots, is 30 percent sold-out.

Going EDGE DAVAO Green S4 Serving a seamless society

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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HEN one speaks of Camella Communities, it is not only studio living that comes to mind. One is also reminded of green living, specifically in the Northpoint, Camella’s landmark condominium development in Davao City.

Northpoint embraces green architecture, where buildings are designed to have minimal impact on the environment and where homeowners enjoy the luxury of living in a place with verdant setting, what with all the pine trees and live gardens around.

“Green architecture is nothing new to us,” says Marlon Niño B. Escalicas, Camella Southern Mindanao cluster head. “Ever since day one, we have adhered to green architecture.”

Escalicas said that for Northpoint’s pine trees alone, the company invested P4 million just to provide a verdant and idyllic setting for homeowners.

Northpoint’s grounds are planted with imported Caribbean pine trees now about fifth feet tall.

There are also preserved olden Acacia trees, a thick carpet of grass and abundant plant life.

Escalicas said Northpoint’s condo buildings are also designed to let natural air flow through the concrete structures and circulate freely around the building, its corridors, common areas and the residential units.

This unique feature brings fresh air to each unit, indoor gardens and hallways of each level of the Northpoint buildings.

The eco-friendly design reduces the use of artificial light in Northpoint homes, giving homeowners savings from power consumption and contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon footprint emanating from power generation.

Escalicas said on top of this, Camella is also religiously complying with all the requirements set by the city government on housing projects that protect the environment.

“We are compliant with all the requirements of the city government to adhere to green architecture,” Escalicas said.

Camella, a subsidiary of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the largest homebuilder in the country, is first developer in the city to apply green architecture with its

Northpoint condo project.

Camella has enhanced new Camella Northpoint tower with green architecture.

Coming from the success of its first three buildings which are now almost fully sold out, Camella is gearing up for the opening of the much-awaited 4th tower of Northpoint.

Camella has made this new building more exciting with its enhanced design following the principles of green architecture, making it another green building but better and more efficient, and making Camella Northpoint the city’s true premier address.

Renowned architect Art Secuya, Camella’s head for planning, recently went to Singapore to get the latest trends and innovation on green architecture.

He shared insights into this cutting-edge concept as applied to Camella Northpoint’s newest building, shoring up the company’s environmental commitment as June celebrates Environment Month.

“In Camella Northpoint’s latest building, two Green Building principles are applied: energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. This condo building has architectural elements that harness the natural breeze to flow into the building and force hot air to exit,” Secuya said.

“This promotes a pleasantly cool interior temperature in all residential units, lessening the need for air-conditioning.

It will have an Atrium, a vertical shaft in the middle of the structure that allows hot air to go up and exit through the skylight,” he added.

The project will also have a Sky Garden, spaces that open the facade of the building and serve as entry points of natural, cool wind, resulting to a cooler and more comfortable ambiance within the building’s interior and in the condo units, according to Secuya.

“This also allows more natural light to cascade into the building, requiring less lighting during the day. The Interior Gardens are green spaces inside the structure that promotes a healthy environment through the healing effect of natural plants,” he said.

All these innovative features of Camella Northpoint’s fourth tower, the architect emphasized, make it the first of its kind in the city.

“We built the first green condo

buildings in Davao, this fourth building is even better,” Secuya said.

He said Northpoint is the greenest condo community in the city and in Mindanao, built to principles of green architecture that is beneficial to its inhabitants and the environment.

Liverpool will be the greenest of all four buildings, having a special feature called the Sky Gardens.

“Liverpool residents will benefit from its natural ventilation and lighting. These are just some of the advantages of Northpoint over other condo developments in the region, making it the most desirable condo community in this part of Mindanao,” Escalicas said.

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Going EDGEDAVAO Green Serving a seamless society

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Going EDGEDAVAO Green Serving a seamless society

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

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Cleanergy Park: Ecotourism at its best

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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AVAO City has been able to balance development with preserving the environment despite being a booming economic hub in the Southern Mindanao. Surrounded by vast landscape and coastline, the city is not just a home to people of various ethnicities but also to rich biodiversity Being a huge ecosystem, ecotourism here happens to be a natural attraction to local and foreign tourists alike.

“When you talk of Davao City, we’re not talking of buildings, we’re not talking of malls,” Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 regional director Roberto P. Alabado IIII said. “Within our city there are small niches of wildlife that are available for observation and for enjoying the natural landscape of Davao City.”

Enriched with numerous marine protected areas and watersheds in the uplands, tourists here travel from the peaks of mountains to beaches stretching from boundary to boundary.

Among the protected marine areas in Davao City is the newly inaugurated Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya. Owned and developed by the Aboitiz Power, the 8-hectare park is a sanctuary of hawksbill turtles, locally known as pawikan.

Open to a limited number of park-goers, the turtle sanctuary is only open until 3 in the afternoon to give way to nesting pawikans that only return to the area every after 20 years.

Visitors at the turtle home can

only have a peak of the nesting ground in the beach line through the viewing deck.

When mother pawikans start to lay their babies and blanket them with sand on the calm nights of July, nature is then left behind to protect the next generation of turtles no matter what. Before leaving their nest, baby turtles know that the vast ocean will be the next home.

Managers of the sanctuary, mostly researchers and experts from the University of the Philippines Mindanao and University of Southeastern Philippines, have become instant guardians of the eggs aside from nature.

Almost barricaded with mangrove forest and wood trees, the sanctuary also became a welcome home to different species of birds, fishes, and crawling hermit crabs. In the area, human and animals coexist with the former aiming to preserve the latter. Even the surrounding communities have pledged to protect the area.

The promising potential of Cleanergy Park to both local and foreign tourism also provide jobs to nearby communities.

Alabado said the tourism agency is partnering with private sector and other government agencies for the skills training and capability building of the community. “When we say sustainable ecotourism, the focus will always be the community,” he said. “So when we have ecotourism projects

Aboitiz Power Jim Aboitiz (second to the right first row) posed with Aboitiz and Davao Light Power Company (DLPC) executives, city councilors, Punta Dumalag barangay officials, and researchers from the University of the Philippines Mindanao and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) during the inauguration of the Cleanergy Park, a marine turtle sanctuary in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya on Thursday. like this we would like to develop this not just for for tourists but also for the community who can benefit from it.”

He said people living nearby can start making souvenir items for tourists while fishermen might start to have a bigger fish catch because of the ecological preservation initiatives.

This kind of tourist destination also become a learning avenue for young children through educational tours.

“Experiencing nature while learning at its best,” Alabado said.

Davao City councilors Al Ryan Alejandre and Marissa Salvador-Abella walked together with an official of Aboitiz during the inauguration of Cleanergy Park, a marine turtle sanctuary in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya on Thursday.

Conserving our oceans and coasts

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Going EDGEDAVAO Green Serving a seamless society

VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

My Earth Day wish list

By JOHN TRIA

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S the world celebrates the day of earth I cannot help but reflect on our corner of the globe. The Davao gulf has as an ecosystem, its unique landforms, volcanic soil, wetlands, white sandy islands, diverse wildlife and therefore a wide array of fruits, vegetables, fish and animals that feed us and delight many of our visitors.

This, and a typhoon free, wet climate (Type 4 according to the Coronas scale), create a high production area for a surplus of food.

Of course, the march to modernity creates externalities in the form of pollution and traffic. The lack of substantial urban and regional planning in many provinces creates pockets of economic growth, and similar pockets of poverty, with the rather wide divide always threatening unrest.

In the end, a clean, healthy and beautiful environment will produce resources we can all equitably, happily and fairly share. This creates a large living space

that truly proclaims life being here. I have prepared a wish list of things that our local authorities can push to help create a greener and even more prosperous Davao.

1 . E n co u ra g e E-jeepneys and tricycles.

Perhaps the local government can provide grants for jeepney and tricycle operators to shift to electric variants. These are less costly to operate and maintain, and can increase the income of drivers and operators since costs for running these (fuel) is much less), and drastically reduce the contribution to air pollution in our airshed. At the moment, around 4,000 commuters pass Davao City’s major thoroughfares on weekdays. Having ejeepneys and e-buses maybe can make clean affordable mass transit available.

2. Provide local incentives for solar installations. With the advent of net electric metering, you can use the electricity that you generate and pay only

for the electricity you need to source from the grid. This can result in electricity savings as there are impending increases in Mindanao due to the shift of our electricity generating source from hydropower to coal and diesel. The generation charge is effectively doubles with the coal and diesel sources. At the moment, peak demand of the Davao Light franchise area (including Panabo) is 300 megawatts, which is double that of Cagayan de Oro. Assuming 10 percent of our demand can come from these home based solar installations, combine this with the rise in available power from different sources in Mindanao coming over the next two years, we can eventually lower power costs.

3. Build a riparian forest buffer along our major rivers. Rivers and waterways are life sources for fish and agricultural water. Apart from being illegal according to the Clean Water Act, It’s a shame for otherwise responsible

for market access for their products.

We advocate sustainable production practices. Our organic and all natural products are labeled accordingly.”

Echostore Davao sells body care products, home care products, aromatherapy, upcycled fashion and home accessories, rice, fresh produce, cheeses, vegetables, organic fruits, condiments, healthy snacks, chocolates, noodles, coffee, teas, and artisanal ice cream.

And of course there’s the food. The bestseller — and Claudio’s personal favorite — is the pasta ala trio. Other must-tries are the French mushroom omelette, mushroom burger, and fresh spring rolls. The dishes all seem to say healthful food doesn’t have to be bland; in fact it can be absolutely delicious.

Sources Echostore’s journey in sustainability started by sourcing local and organic ingredients from sustainable sources such as vegetables from Amarelo’s organic farm, pasture raised chickens from Backyards farms, cheeses from Malagos, and grass-fed produce from Down to Earth, to name a few. “Eventually we might grow our own food or ingredients already,” Claudio adds.

“In Manila, the licensors have their own ECHOFARM in Amadeo, Cavite that already supplies fruits and vegetables to their Manila branches.

Some of the food items or

ingredients in our menu can be bought at the MARKET so customers can prepare and DIY in their houses. This way customers support local and organic produce in their homes,” she says.

Claudio also says as much as it can, the store reuses and recycles store items such as glass bottles, wilted veggies and herbs (converted to dried herbs), citrus rinds as odor absorber.

“Lastly, one of our important roles is to communicate our efforts in store, trade fairs, and through social media to encourage demand for sustainable products. By offering organic, artisanal, local, healthy food and non-food products we send a message and hopefully influence customers to embrace and adapt a sustainable lifestyle,” she says.

Asked if Davao City is ready for more shops and restaurants like Echostore that offer sustainable products and food, Claudio says Dabawenyos are “more health-conscious nowadays.”

“We see fitness centers sprouting all over the city, organic fairs and markets are more evident…people in Davao are simply seeking healthier food alternatives and ‘want’ to adapt a healthier lifestyle. Locavorism (eating food that is locally produced and not moved long distances to market) and Pinoy-centric advocates are emerging, creating a specialty market for the food and retail goods we offer,” she adds.

Organic food... FROM S8 Barely a month after the summit, the opportunity presented itself when a business space in the familyowned building in Davao City became available.

“Immediately, I got in touch with the founders and inquired about licensing the concept.

I really felt that it was the perfect business to put up in a location that is off-downtown, making it a ‘destination’ store,” Claudio says.

The Echostore brand used to be just a store, but Claudio says it has since evolved into a tri-concept store. “ The tri-concept of a cafe, store, and market that advocates sustainable lifestyle is a concept that is new to Davao… In 2008 it started in Serendra as a store and café and expanded to include a third concept which is the Echomarket. The company owned stores in Serendra and Salcedo Makati are triconcepts, while their Podium branch is just a store. All the licensees (Centris QC, Davao, and Cebu which opened just last month) are operating all three concepts. When we were designing the store, we wanted more dining space so that people will be encouraged to dine and try our healthy and organic meals which is new to Davao,” she says.

Claudio says that while not all products at the store are organic, Echostore “promotes and carries all natural, organic, healthy and eco-friendly products and supports local artisans and small communities looking

and law-abiding Dabawenyos to let the public throw their wastewater into our rivers. Because of this, our riverbanks can host riparian (river) forests to act as a buffer against excessive soil erosion and prevent unauthorized settlements along the banks which often cause waste to end up in the river.

4. Increase biodegradable waste collection.

Davao City currently produces of waste of which more than half can easily be turned into compost that can be used to make our uplands more fertile to host food production.

5. More recreational parks. Parks with trees, flowers and even vegetables compose the lungs of a city and can be nodes of common activity for enjoyable weekends for our citizens and their families, and encourage a love for natural surroundings.

6. Strengthen rainfall collection. Small water ponds in many upland Barangays can impound

water to be used for small farms and fishponds. While serving the water needs in our upland areas, it also slows down the entry of water into the lower areas and control flooding during extended rain periods. At the same time, it lessens pressure on our existing freshwater sources like the Dumoy pumps and springs.

7. Build sewage treatment plants for the city.

As our population nears the 2 million mark, you can imagine almost 2 million cubic meter of household wastewater entering the Davao gulf daily through our rivers. This does not include the wastewater from our malls and industries.

At 2 million cubic meters a day, that is easily 72 million cubic meters a year of raw sewage filling the Gulf.

From the air you can see the brownish water going into our seas . Already, we know well enough not to swim at the Times Beach area due to e. coli fears. I believe itsw time we take sewage treatment more

seriously before its too late.

8. Annual arbor day requirement. With the success of our recent Guinness World record 1.9 million trees planted in Mindanao, there ought to be an annual tree planting day for ALL elementary and high school pupils in strategic watersheds in the city and region. We must always remember that there is a 20 percent mortality of planted tree seedlings.

Thus, regular tree planting is needed to replant the seedlings that may have died over time.

Take note that this is just my partial list. As an environmental consultant over the last 20 years, I retain the hope that with every earth day, ordinary people will start making their own commitment to build a life-sustaining, and sustainable environment for our children. Additional lists may be emailed to ecisouth@gmail.com and I will feature them as they come. Make every day earth day!

Why Go Green: Peak Oil Theory Explained Peak oil has gathered a lot of attention in recent years. The term refers to a peak in oil extraction followed by a decline of production and a dramatic rise in cost. The idea that we can actually run out of (or at least, cease to be able to afford the increasingly difficult extraction of) oil is a disconcerting idea when almost every aspect of our Western lifestyle depends on it as a cheap commodity.

3. Environmental Impact Why Go Green: Environmental Pollution While climate change and peak oil can be debated, the impact of environmental pollution on humans and habitat is undeniable. Every year more fresh water is polluted, natural landscape is lost, and animals are becoming endangered or extinct. A loss of biodiversity raises the risks of disease, blight, and famine and the rate at which humans pollute the Earth is much faster than the rate at which the Earth can be restored.

4. Health and Wellness Why Go Green: Environment Affecting Human Health Every week we read about a new study that explains how some environmental factor is affecting our health, or has found another danger in one of our household products or personal care items. Cancer has been linked to cleaning products, dementia to antiperspirants, a lack of nutrition to conventional farming, and asthma to air pollution. Why go green if not for your own health?

5. Frugal Living Why Go Green: Saving money by going green Too many people think going green is expensive, but it shouldn’t be.

In fact, frugal living tends to be a natural by-product of a simply and sustainable living. Did you know that when you signup to receive the 7 Day Treehugger Kickstart, you’ll also receive a free guide on sustainable strategies to save money.

6. The Economy Why Go Green: Supporting the local economy

Why go green? Money is always a big motivator. Choosing a sustainable lifestyle will obviously impact your choices as a consumer. For some of us, the positive impact of living simply and sustainably is increased by the positive impact on our local economy.

For instance, buying from local farms means supporting neighbors whose success is directly related to your health and the health of the environment.

7. Minimalism Why Go Green: Minimalisn Lifestyle Many people prefer to keep their convictions closer to home, answering “Why Go Green?” with a model of living simply. This minimalism lifestyle encompasses a commitment to reducing the complexities of life and allowing yourself to focus on the things that matter most. By connecting more and consuming less, they naturally mitigate the effects of many environmental concerns.

8. Religious or Spiritual Environmentalism Why Go Green: Religious Environmentalism While some people believe religious views to be aloof to environmental woes, in many cases it’s an unfair assessment. In nearly all religious texts, from the Torah to the Judeo-Christian Bible to the Qoran, there is a call to be stewards of the land, caring for and protecting the gifts given to followers of their faith.

Also included are many Easterns beliefs, such as Buddhism and Paganism, with whom a reverence for nature is paramount.

9. Self-Sufficiency Why Go Green: Self-Sufficiency Green and sustainable living is a natural by-product of living self-sufficiently. Anyone wishing to be truly sustainable in their own lives eventually comes to the realization that they cannot rely on the unsustainable infrastructure provided to us by cheap oil and shady political deals. Living offthe-grid, whether environmental or political, requires the use of renewable energies, as well as the sustainable care of land, self and other resources.

9 reasons why we should go green

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HERE are likely as many answers to the question “Why Go Green?” as there are people who live a sustainable lifestyle. It is a deeply personal, encompassing choice that is usually embraced wholeheartedly by the individual for often deep, philosophical meaning.

I’ve laid out all the most frequently discussed reasons below that I could think of. Many reasons will vary greatly from each other. Some people will disagree with some of these ideas while others draw from several of them when discussing their decision.

Despite disagreements, within every person living sustainably is a common thread: the strong conviction we feel for our lifestyle and the empowerment we experience through our actions. Whether it’s a lifestyle given to us by our culture or our own research, we live this way because it fulfills us. And despite what some may feel about another person’s answer to the question “Why Go Green”, it is a source of inspiration to be able to bond through our animation and personal convictions.

This is a lot of really heavy information. I don’t normally like to get all doomsday, whoa-is-us on you. But this background info is important to know if someone comes asking. So, grab a Cup O’ Something and take your time reading through it all. Or you might want to just skim through it before delving into other parts of the site. Whatever you do, don’t let it overwhelm you! It’s here only as a learning resource, not to depress you. #staypositive 1. Climate Change Why Go Green: What causes climate change?

Probably most well-known as “global warming”, the science behind climate change is one of the most hotly debated topics among people today.

Although it is often a huge motivator behind the green movement, there are still those who fail to acknowledge its validity, many others who feel helpless about it, and very few who ask the real question: Man-made or not, does it actually matter?

2. Peak Oil

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ORGANIC FOOD: Sustainable, delicious

By JON JOAQUIN

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NE would think that a place like Davao City, which is rich in natural resources, would have an overflow of restaurants that offer organic and sustainably grown food. The reality, however, is that such eating places are few and far between. Like any other highly urbanized area, Davao is replete with dining options that are not necessarily friendly to health and the environment.

There are, however, a few places that stand out for their commitment both to their customers and to the plan-

et. They offer delicious food without compromising the environment, serving food sourced from organic farming and sustainable food growing practices.

Organic food is produced by organic farming, which in turn means farming that fosters the cycling of resources, promotes ecological balance, and conserves biodiversity.

Organic farming does not allow synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Sustainable agriculture, for its part, is the act of farming using principles of ecolo-

gy, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment. It has been defined as “an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will last over the long term.”

Sustainable farming makes the most efficient use of non-renewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate natural biological cycles and controls. It sustains the economic viability of farm operations and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

One restaurant that is making waves in Davao City is Echostore along the Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road) in Buhangin. Echostore Davao is a franchise of the Manila-based business ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle, the first concept store of its kind in the Philippines.

ECHO is the acronym for Environment & Community Hope Organization STORE. “In one place,” the company says in its website, “you can get everything you need to start you on your way to living a sustainable lifestyle.”

Social enterprise “I’d been wanting to put up a social enterprise for some time,” Echostore Davao owner Kristine Sarah Claudio tells Edge Davao. “Being in the retail business for seven years, I felt that Echostore would be the perfect business model. I just chanced upon the flagship store in Serendra sometime March 2013. This desire was fueled all the more after attending the Gawad Kalinga social business summit in the Enchanted Farm in Bulacan October last year.”

Organic food B

ECHO Mushroom Burger

pasta ala trio

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 17 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 26 - 27, 2015

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Photos by Engr. Aldrich Morante

T

HERE are a lot of distinct features about Ciudades that makes it attractive and different from other real estate projects in Davao City. Not only is it the first large-scale integrated mixed-use township development in this part of the land, it is one remarkable project that highlights the beauty of nature.

It’s developer—the Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation—has masterfully designed Ciudades to become Davao’s new center with an accessible location within Buhangin District’s picturesque valley.

As Torre Lorenzo best describes it, Ciudades is a unique harmony of nature and creative master planning.

The project’s location comprises of 200 hectares of rolling terrain, greenways, the Davao River and mountain ranges.

The First Mindanao Business Industrial Park (FMBIP) is the business and industrial hub of Ciudades which is now

nearing completion.

The FMBIP is a 20-hectare area earmarked as a Business-Industrial-Residential-Estate (BIRE) that is paving the way for the development of the 200-hectare Ciudades township.

FMBIP will have a centralized sewerage facility and water system and continuous power supply from Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC).

The hub also brings together the energy and resources for business, commercial and residential use into one secure, green environment comprising of 84 lots.

Conceived as a modern, efficient and technology-enabled community, FMBIP is thus geared towards developing and supporting the growth of Davao City and the rest of the region.

FMBIP’s modern architecture will also complement the scenic landscape. All buildings will be distinguished by their clean lines, steel and glass accents, and themed lighting.

The Ciudades project also has a recreational facility called El Centro,

a world-class Bike Park in the river park easement (80 meters) and a football field with an artificial turf.

The Visitor Center will be opened by the third quarter of this year.

Ciudades Avenue, the road going to Indangan, is also almost complete.

There is also a private road exclusive to lot owners and locators of the Ciudades township on the other side towards Waan called the Sta.Lucia/Ciudades East segment Bridge.

Aside from its business and industrial components, Ciudades also features subdivisions, two education institutions, recreational area and a commercial complex.

Torre Lorenzo has already submitted to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) its application to become an accredited economic zone.

The company is now looking for locators which are light industries, non-pollutants, service establishments, warehouse operators and IT-based companies.

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How developers in Davao go green?

AEON TOWERS The Aeon Towers, a 33-story mixed use skyscraper project by homegrown developer FTC Group of Companies Inc. uses green technology in this much-anticipated project.

This would-be tallest building in Mindanao (when completed in 2016) uses ultraviolet (UV) protected glass for the entire building which allows for only the sunlight to penetrate inside all the units but without the heat. This technology gives the building a naturally cool effect.

Realizing the area is flood-prone, FTC made sure it won’t be affected by any flooding in the future. Hence, it rehabilitated the surrounding drainage system and replaced the small culverts in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

(NJB)

THE MATINA ENCLAVES The Matina Enclaves is an 8-hectare mixed use real estate development by another homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco). Located in Matina and surrounded by a golf course, schools and malls, the project boasts of a flodd-free design. The architects behind the project made sure the entire complex is elevated and the drainage and water catchment facilities designed to make it flood-resistant.

Not only that, the architects made sure that the surrounding environs are also flood-free. Hence, it also rehabilitated the drainage in surrounding areas.

The development is also designed to maximize open areas where water could percolate and go directly to the aquifer and not to the drainage lines which could result to flooding. Turf blocks are also used for outdoor parking spaces instead of solid concrete. (NJB)

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10 tips for making everyday Earth Day

SM Lanang: How to turn trash into cash

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

W

HEN SM Lanang Premier opened in 2012, it brought not just premier shopping experience to Dabawenyos but also initiatives in making Davao City a better place to live.

Situated in one of the most progressive areas in Davao City, the mall taught people both to “shop till you drop” and to manage their own garbage. Designated garbage bins for trash and even pet waste are placed all around the vicinity.

Almost three years after its opening, SM Lanang Premier continues to implement more green initiatives. As the world celebrated the annual Earth Day last Wednesday, SM Lanang Premier launched the Earth Day Trash to Cash, an eco-friendly initiatives of SM Cares, the flagship CSR program of SM Supermalls nationwide.

“Anchored on the con-

cept of recycling market, Trash to Cash lets you trade or sell your trash to our contracted scrap buyers and convert it into cash,” SM Lanang Premier mall manager Mary Therese T. Lapeña-Manalo said.

Manalo said the program aims to encourage people to protect and respect Mother Earth through recycling and proper waste disposal.

The Trash to Cash Recycling market is held every first Friday and Saturday of the month at the open Parking D beside the SM Store.

Manalo encouraged the public to make recycling a regular habit. “Bring your junk and other old items you don’t use anymore and get them exchanged to cash with our accredited scrap buyers,” she said.

Operations supervisor for Trash to Cash Sander John R. Diaz said the program was started in Decem-

SM Lanang Premier mall manager Mary Therese T. Lapeña-Manalo (left) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Ecological Solid Waste Management Section chief Ruby M. Bie weigh a bulk of old newspaper that can be converted to cash during the celebration of Earth Day Trash to Cash at the SM Lanang Premier Open Parking D on Wednesday.

ber 2012. “It was first our tenants who participated in Trash to Cash but settlers living near the mall started to bring their recyclable garbage here later on,” Diaz said. “SM is here not just for shopping but also for helping communities.”

He said the mall collects a minimum of four tons of

recyclables every year. “It ranges from paper to plastic bottles or scrap metals, among others,” he said.

Diaz said there are two contracted scrap collectors that buy the recyclables at a very good price. Participants have the choice to either keep the earning or give it to SM Cares Hous-

ing Program which aims to build typhoon-resilient houses for Typhoon Yolanda survivors.

As of November 2014, SM Foundation turned over 200 houses to chosen beneficiary survivors of Yolanda.

The houses are located in Barangay Polambato, Bago City in northern Cebu.

The 200 houses are the first of the 1,000 disaster-resilient homes that will be given for free to the survivors.

SM Foundation is targeting to build the rest of the 1,000 homes in Concepcion, Iloilo; New Kawayan, Tacloban City; and Ormoc City, Leyte.

EDGE

Cares

DAVAO

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