PIA Press Release
Friday, January 20, 2012

Makati promotes construction of disaster-resilient, 'green' buildings

MAKATI CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- The local government has revealed its plan to construct additional disaster-resilient and environment-friendly or "green" public buildings this year, a statement said.

According to Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, the city intends to take the lead in promoting disaster resiliency through green structures and technology, and will tap experts from the private sector for its plan to retrofit the 25-storey City Hall to make it a green building to show other local government units that "it can be done."

This program will be extended to other public infrastructures in the city such as schools, barangay halls, health buildings and hospitals, and other public facilities.

The city government and the private sector are currently working on an ordinance called the Makati Green Code that will give incentives to those who use green technology in all public and private buildings in the city, he said.

Meanwhile, the construction of a new full-service, eight-storey Ospital ng Makati that incorporates green features will begin in District I. The 300-bed hospital will be equipped with modern facilities, including six major and minor operating rooms, emergency room with trauma center, a blood bank, and a Cancer Institute.

Likewise, by the second quarter of this year, Makati’s own milk bank is expected to be operational after the city government consulted experts and the Department of Health on standards to be followed.

Through a partnership between the city government and SM Development Corporation, the sidewalks along Kalayaan, Metropolitan and South Avenues and Nicanor Garcia St. will be improved and beautified with elevated walkways, terracotta blocks, and cobblestone sidewalks, LED lighted lampposts, among other features. Meanwhile, the master plan of SMDC’s four-tower residential condominium will integrate a transport bay, internal loop road system, and a traffic management system.

Binay said the city government also plans to enter into a partnership with the private sector to build a Makati Columbarium that will also be another green building. (ICRD/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)