Environmental Protection, Conservation, and Rehabilitation

[Lito]

Nowadays, sustainable building or green building practices have become essential considerations to homebuyers and homeowners. Not only because a sustainable building is energy-efficient, but also it is healthy and environment-friendly.

This most recent development in the building industry was a major highlight during the Manila Construction Show 2008 event at the SMX Convention Center early this month. Amid the wide array of eco-friendly products exhibited was the mock up of LuzViMinda Eco-House, which stood out as a case study on sustainable housing.

The LuzViMinda Eco-House is 25-percent more energy-efficient than ordinary houses, according to James Jao, the architect who adopted the United Kingdom standards in designing and building the structure.

The UK code measures nine categories, such as energy and carbon dioxide emissions, water, materials, surface water run-off, waste, pollution, health and well-being, management and ecology.

The 120-square-meter Luz- ViMinda Eco-House that was built outside the SMX for the exhibit had all the aforementioned attributes. It was a joint project of ModernA, a group of architects (all are members of the United Architects of the Philippines) from Luzon, Visayas and Minadano and L.A. Ducut and Company Inc.

Jao, who has a master’s degree in City Design and Social Science from the London School of Economics and co-founder of ModernA, said the group’s aim is to help Philippine housing industry to achieve “zero net emissions of carbon dioxide.”

And putting the LuzViMinda Eco-House on exhibit was meant to show that this is achievable.

The group used materials that conforms and adheres to green products based on the code of sustainable homes of the United Kingdom because, Jao said, “the Philippines does not have the codes of sustainable homes yet,” Jao said.

The walls of the LuzViMinda Eco-House had thermal insulation; its roof was made of locally manufactured 2 mm PVC materials; its windows had double glazed-glass from Asahi, while the window frames were also made of PVC.

The group also installed a dual flush toilet with the required 3 to 6 liters flushing to reduce water usage. The specification for the shower is 67 liters per minute of water.

For the lighting, Jao said, they used Megaman energy-saving light bulbs, which could be powered by solar energy.

“The main aim of the project is to make known to every Filipino what an eco-house really is,” Jao said, adding that “green building” does not necessarily mean using native materials, such as bamboo.

“[An Eco-House] can have a very contemporary cutting edge design,” he said.

Edith Gapas-Dome will be the first to benefit the LuzViMinda Eco-House here in the country, which is under construction in Bulusan, Sorsogon.

“That’s why I [have been] encouraging politicians to immediately work on this code because for developers, manufacturers and home owners, we should get incentives from building Eco-House,” he added. “This is our contribution to Mother Earth.”

[Lito]

opening windows and using ceiling fans can help. by keeping air flowing we do not body heat with us. Circulating air feels breezy and comfortable.

[Lito]

With the advent of the fiber cement boards (Hardiflex et al) and light gauge steel framing the demand for wood in construction had reduced already. As an act of conservation and recycling, scrap wood are turned into lumber by finger jointing or engineered wood. Finger jointed molding and door frames are cheaper and as good and even better than natural lumber. Laminates, fiber boards, Gypsum boards and chip boards are basically from recycled materials or even byproducts of others.

[Lito]

So how will the LuzViMinda Eco-House Initiative be constructed?

“It starts with the building envelop which will be composed of a prefab modular panels made of concrete combined with polystyrene material. These panels are excellent insulators that minimize heat absorption. The exterior walls will be protected by ‘Wallguard,’ while the interiors sealed by an anti-bacterial paint. The roof will feature 2 mm PVC materials that is locally manufactured in Pasig City,” he said.

He added that window frames would also be made from PVC.

For more efficient water utilization, they have selected toilet with dual flush—showers that give out 6-7 liters of water per minute—and there will be a tank that will collect rain water, Jao said. Solar energy will be utilized to heat water.

For the lighting requirements, Megaman energy-saving light bulbs, the latest in bulb technology, will be used. These could also be powered by solar energy.

“Low-e” white line products—washing machine and refrigerator—have been selected for a smaller carbon footprint.

“There will also be a ‘green wall,’ which is a vertical garden that will work well in an urban setting where space is tight. Herbs and vegetables could be planted here. Even wood products will be sourced from farmed forests and will be treated with eco-friendly solutions for less environmental impact,” Jao added.

With all that, the LuzViMinda Eco-House Initiative hopes to give an example of a house with sustainability designed in that should set a precedent for the Philippines.

[Lito]

[venntro]

It's a nice concept. The design though is like in the seventies. Does this also take into consideration that we have more rainy months within the year?

[Lito]

mock up (original materials) 7 days lang po namin ito ginawa sa parking area ng SMX

[venntro]

Is the system similar to Vazbuilt?

[Lito]

[Lito]

Originally Posted by venntro

Is the system similar to Vazbuilt?

no it is different...

the building envelop composed of a prefab modular panels made of concrete combined with polystyrene material. These panels are excellent insulators that minimize heat absorption. The exterior walls will be protected by ‘Wallguard,’ while the interiors sealed by an anti-bacterial paint. The roof will feature 2 mm PVC materials

[Lito]

we are not selling this eco house or even the design.

highlight ito ng MANILACON Exhibit.

[Maxxclip]

Originally Posted by Lito

nice house i like bungalow house...easy to maintain and easy to build

[venntro]

Originally Posted by Lito

no it is different...

the building envelop composed of a prefab modular panels made of concrete combined with polystyrene material. These panels are excellent insulators that minimize heat absorption. The exterior walls will be protected by ‘Wallguard,’ while the interiors sealed by an anti-bacterial paint. The roof will feature 2 mm PVC materials

Thanks for taking time to explain it.

[venntro]

Lawmakers want probe on dumpsite projects in Rizal
02/17/2009 | 12:02 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Party-list lawmakers sought Tuesday an investigation on the ongoing construction of dumpsite projects in Barangays Maly and Guinayang in San Mateo, Rizal, which may endanger the lives and livelihood of the people in the area, including the Marikina watershed reservation.

Bayan Muna Reps. Satur C. Ocampo and Teodoro A. Casino filed House Resolution 948 directing the House Committee on Ecology to conduct an inquiry and propose the necessary remedial legislation.

Ocampo and Casino also wanted to determine if there were irregularities in the construction of the dumpsites, such as the alleged violations of the Local Government Code that requires prior consultation with affected areas before any national project affecting the environmental and ecological balance of communities can be
implemented.

"Residents of the area said no public consultations or hearings have been made in Barangay Maly and Guinayang, such that many are not even aware that a dump is being built right in their midst," Ocampo said.

The congressmen also cited the importance of the area to remain protected since it is part of a watershed reservation.

The construction of a dumpsite or any waste facility will imperil the safety and cleanliness of groundwater resources and jeopardize the health of millions of residents of Rizal and Metro Manila who get their water supply from the watershed, Ocampo said.

Ocampo cited Presidential Decrees 705 and 7586, which provides that affected areas with slopes above 50 degrees should be put under permanent forest cover due to their environmentally critical nature.

"Removing the forest areas for a dumpsite can lead to deadly landslides, flash floods, massive soil erosion, and other natural hazards that will endanger people's lives and sources of livelihood," Ocampo said. - GMANews.TV

[venntro]

Manila Water goes full throttle in wastewater program
By JUDITH BALEA, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 02/17/2009 9:41 PM

After having achieved major improvements in its water supply services, Ayala-owned Manila Water Co. is investing heavily on wastewater and sanitation projects this year.

Half of Manila Water's whopping P10 billion capital outlay for 2009 would go to its wastewater treatment program, according to company president Antonio Aquino.

This year's spending budget is more than double the P4.2 billion allocated last year.

"Our focus is largely on wastewater now," Aquino said, noting that most of their customers already enjoy 24 hours of water availability.

Manila Water, which services the east zone of Metro Manila, has stepped up efforts in increasing sewerage and sanitation coverage in its concession area to manage wastewater disposal, which it said, was the main culprit in the pollution of river bodies.

Aquino said they would continue to invest in upgrading the Magallanes Sewage Treatment Plant, catering mainly to the Makati business district, and the South Septage Treatment Plant (SSTP) in Taguig City.

The SSTP, which is said to be the biggest septage treatment facility in Southeast Asia, has the capacity to process 815 cubic meters of sludge per day from more than 86,000 households in Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Taguig, San Juan and Pateros.

Also, to revitalize the Marikina and Pasig river systems, Aquino said Manila Water would be putting in place several other sewerage treatment plants.

More investments

Aquino stressed they would not hold back on expenditures this year even with the delay in the implementation of the rate-rebasing tariff adjustment for 2009.

Every five years, regulators conduct the rate-rebasing exercise to set the needed tariff adjustments in relation to water utilities' spending programs.

"We will continue with our capex program and make sure the delay in tariff adjustments will be mitigated through cost and operational efficiency measures. We don't want to go on a downward spiral by cutting investments," he said.

Manila Water has increased rates this month but only to cover inflation and fluctuations in the foreign exchange.

The bulk of the approved rate-rebasing adjustment due for implementation this year was deferred by regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to soften the impact of water rate hikes on consumers.

Aquino said that despite the deferment, "we will still be able to accomplish our investment objectives."

He said the company's P10 billion capex program this year would be funded through internal cash and proceeds from its P4 billion bond issuance last year.

"We have enough money," said Aquino.

Manila Water, which has 5.6 million customers in the east zone, ended 2008 with a net income of P2.79 billion, up 15.8 percent year-on-year, owing to higher billed volume.

The company said its investments added 46,765 new household connections to its customer base and allowed it to bring down its non-revenue water or water losses to 19.60 percent in 2008 from 24 percent in 2007.

[venntro]

MWSS must answer for La Mesa mess
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc Updated February 18, 2009 12:00 AM


Of the feedback to my item last week on lax security at La Mesa dam, one merits citing. Reader Proceso de los Reyes wants officials who secretly built the two residential subdivisions inside the state property jailed. And well they should be. For, their narrow-minded, selfish sleaze blinded them to threats of sabotage to the capital’s water supply. They are the best proof that corruption and ineptitude go hand in hand.

For decades La Mesa was off-limits to outsiders, except for EcoPark, a wooded fringe in Fairview, Quezon City, open to strollers. Guards drove poachers out of the 2,700-hectare reservoir and 3,000-hectare forest around it. The filtrations were deemed highest-security facilities. Only waterworks employees were allowed in, and only if on duty. Under martial law in the ’70s Marines patrolled the dam compound. Security was tightened all the more after 9/11. Military agents mobilized soon afterwards when a South Asian was spotted sneaking several times over the perimeter fence. Subdivision dwellers outside the complex cooperated; their own safety depended on the dam’s defense. Suspicious activities promptly were reported to waterworks officials. A neighbor was turned over for punching a hole through the fence and erecting a dog and rooster farm in the woods inside. It was the residents outside who first noticed and kept an eye on the foreign intruder.

It was the residents too who noticed the surge in vehicle traffic to and from the dam five years ago. City hall had spanned a bridge to EcoPark, for tourists and heavy trucks of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. But jeepneys, taxis, and cars kept rumbling over the aqueduct that was not meant to carry such load for long. Reporting to barangay officers, the residents discovered the twin rackets inside the complex. Policemen to whom the MWSS had turned over the task of securing the reservoir and filtrations were exacting fees for motorists to illicitly shortcut to and from Fairview and Novaliches. Worse, MWSS trustees crookedly had awarded themselves and key managers residential lots in the state land, and then built houses. The aqueduct, actually the dam’s spillover to Tullahan River but asphalted for occasional light vehicles, became their private driveway. A terrorist could rent a trustee’s house, or ride one of the vehicles passing over the aqueduct, and throw poison into the reservoir below. A plain vandal could wreak similar damage to the tap supply of millions of Greater Manilans.

MWSS trustees couldn’t care less. They illegally had parceled state property to themselves and their favorites. Having built homes inside the dam complex, they now gaily treat it as their private preserve and motor even in restricted areas. They can’t tell the cops to stop letting outsiders through the aqueduct. What moral ground would they have if told to mind your own racket while the cops go about theirs? Both are in violation of the Water Code of 1976, the Forestry Code, and the Clean Water Act, though.

[Ph Man]

Originally Posted by Lito

Can you tell us how much will be spent in building this house. And kindly give us specific details of materials used, speecial features, etc...of course without necessarily divulging what needs to be kept undisclosed.

[venntro]

SMART named the first winner of global ‘Green Mobile Award’

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA

For using wind and solar energy to power cell sites in remote areas of the country, Smart Communications Inc. (SMART) won the newly introduced "Green Mobile Award" at the 2009 global congress of the mobile phone industry in Barcelona, Spain.


Smart’s "Alternative Power for Cell Sites" program uses renewable energy sources to power cell sites in "off-grid locations" where setting up and operating a cell site is not normally feasible.

To date, Smart has about 68 renewable energy-powered cell sites in the country, of which 41 are run by wind energy while 27 are hybrid – using both wind and solar energy.

Benefits of the program include reduced operational costs due to lower diesel consumption, reduced oil spills and carbon emissions, better community relations and seamless data/voice service in off-grid areas.

Smart started working with a local vendor in December 2006 to set up the Philippines’ first wind-powered cell site in Sitio Guimbitayan in Malapascua Island, northeast of Cebu.

Late last year, a GSM Association (GSMA) Development Fund survey of 25 mobile operators across the developing world that use renewable energy sources concluded that Smart is the leader among mobile network operators worldwide in using wind energy to power its cell sites.

GSMA is the global umbrella organization of the mobile communications industry, covering 219 countries, with over 750 mobile operators, as well as 200 companies, as members.

Judges noted that Smart’s entry was "an impressive project showing real benefits - this reduces fuel and handling costs, pollution, and noise - as well as making mobile communications more widely available by enabling cell sites in off-grid locations."

Smart won over entries from companies such as Nokia Siemens Networks (Environmentally Sustainable Business (ESB) initiative), Vodafone (Reducing Network Energy Use), Alcatel-Lucent (Eco-sustainable Communications Transformation), and Telenor (Climate Change Programme).

AT Kearney, the first carbon-neutral top-management consultancy in the world, sponsored the Green Mobile Award.

"We are proud that a Philippine company has won the first green award to be given by the GSMA. Given the growing global concern about climate change, this is a very relevant and meaningful award that will challenge us to do more," declared SMART president and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno.

SMART also received nominations in the Best Use of Mobile for Social and Economic Development category and the Marketing & Promotion-Best Broadcast Commercial category for the Infoboard Community Solution and the SMART Bring Me Along TV Commercial for Uzzap, respectively, making it the only Filipino company with the most number of nominations in any given GSM Awards season.

This year’s GSM Awards attracted more than 450 companies vying for 16 open categories ranging from mobile services, breakthrough technologies and use of mobile for socio-economic development.

In 2001, SMART won the Most Innovative GSM Wireless Service for Customers award for its electronic wallet service Smart Money.

Meanwhile, SMART Load, the over-the-air prepaid reloading service, was cited as the Best Mobile Application or Service - Consumer Market in 2004. Most recently, SMART’s "1-in-5 Panalo" promo implemented for the global cola brand Pepsi was awarded Best Mobile Advertising in the GSMA’s inaugural Asia Mobile Awards 2007

[dinabaw]

Regions

New species in Davao bolsters case for biodiversity conservation -DENR
02/18/2009 | 04:22 PM

The Hamiguitan batomys, or hairy-tailed rat, is a
yellow-brown rodent with a long furry tail. AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The discovery of a new species of small rodent in Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental bolsters the case for biodiversity conservation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday.

DENR Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. made the call after the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Chicago-based Field Museum of Natural History discovered the new species.

"We have long taken great pride in our wealth of flora and fauna and this new discovery reinforces our efforts to make the protection of these unique and endemic species found in the country our top priority," Atienza said on the DENR Web site (www.denr.gov.ph).

The Hamiguitan batomys or Hamiguitan hairy-tailed rat is a yellow-brown animal with a long furry tail, weighs about 175 grams, and is related to several other species known in Central Mindanao, Dinagat Island and Luzon.

It lives only from an elevation of 950 meters and up to the peak, in dwarf mossy forests of areas less than 10 square kilometers.

Atienza said it is very likely there will be more discoveries of new species in the country, but some of these species might already be threatened before they are discovered.

He said that while government moves to conserve them, everyone must do their share to protect the country's forests, which is home to wildlife.

Global scientists had declared the Philippines as one of only a few mega diverse countries in the world where rich flora and fauna are found, he said.

According to team leader and lead author Danilo Balete, "hamiguitan batomys is the first mammal to be described from Eastern Mindanao, and is the first mammal that is thought to live only in that area."

"Most mammals unique to Mindanao were described from Mt. Apo or Mt Kitanglad. This points to eastern Mindanao, especially Mt Hamiguitan, as a biologically unique part of the Philippines," he said.

The new species was found in May 2006 during an expedition that sought to learn more about the region, which is also home to the globally endangered Philippine Eagle, the country's national bird.

"Mt. Hamiguitan fully deserves to be among the global heritage sites,"
said Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Director Mundita Lim, which has endorsed the inclusion of Mt Hamiguitan to the UNESCO World Heritage List. - GMANews.TV

GMA News

[dinabaw]

Eco-House does not mean it's environmental -friendly it's cost less to build.