We have been in a celebratory mood since we got official wordfrom the Philippine Green Building Initiative, Inc. (PGBI) that Italpinas Development Corporation’s (IDC’s) Verona Uptown Green Residences project (located in Uptown Cagayan de Oro City) has attained the coveted EDGE Advanced Certification.
Verona Uptown Green Residences is proudly the first development in Mindanao to achieve this prestigious recognition.
Achieving EDGE Advanced certification signifies that the Verona property is “Zero Carbon Ready.” This means that the project has the potential to achieve net-zero operational carbon emissions through additional measures like incorporating renewable energy or utilizing carbon offsets. This readiness positions the development as a leader in the shift toward a sustainable future.
Verona Uptown Green Residences, which is being developed by IDC Homes, a 100% owned subsidiary of IDC, will be four stories high, with residential units starting from the ground floor. Designed with resource efficiency as a core objective, the project is under construction and is being developed in two phases.
According to PGBI, the EDGE certification software indicates that Verona Uptown Green Residences’ resource-efficient design will result in reductions of 45% in energy savings on-site (higher than the required 40%), 47% in water savings, and 34% in embodied energy in materials (both surpassing the baseline 20%).
More than just recognition—EDGE brings transformative benefits for developers, buyers, and the environment. Developers gain a competitive edge, heightened property value, and international acclaim for their sustainability efforts. Buyers, on the other hand, enjoy lower utility costs, healthier living spaces, and the satisfaction of reducing their carbon footprint. For the environment, resource-efficient designs result in significantly reduced emissions and play a vital role in sustainable urbanization.
I am proud to share that Italpinas is no stranger to EDGE certification. Its earlier projects, Primavera Residences and Primavera City, also garnered this recognition, underscoring the company’s commitment to resource-efficient development. These projects, like Verona Uptown Green Residences, showcase IDC’s ability to marry functionality, sustainability, and world-class architecture and design.
Beyond its projects, IDC also invests in its people, encouraging them to align with its green philosophy. As I wrote in my previous column, our junior architect Emmanuel Benedict “Uel” Olino recently earned his Advanced EDGE Certification with flying colors.
I am glad that the industry continues to recognize our pioneering efforts and advocacy for green projects and sustainable living. With achievements like these, IDC management is inspired to continue to redefine the future of green building practices in the Philippines. The EDGE Advanced certification for Verona Uptown Green Residences stands as a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and corporate excellence.
At IDC, sustainability isn’t just a trend, it’s at the core of everything we do. This achievement sets us apart as pioneers in green real estate, leading the way for a greener, smarter future not only in Mindanao but in the Philippines as a whole. On a personal note, I am honored to have been invited as a session speaker at the 2nd Philippine Sustainability Now Forum on April 23, 2025 at Dusit Thani Manila. This important event provides a vital platform for industry stakeholders to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the sustainable market in the Philippines. Through this column, I’ll be sure to give you a heads-up after the event and share valuable insights from the forum.
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