Friday, June 4, 2010 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
By Rinnah B. Flores
CEBU biggest annual construction trade exhibit opened yesterday with the aim of promoting sustainability in the construction industry.
The Cebu Construction Show (CebuCon) is on its 18th year and showcases not only ordinary construction materials but also those considered as green products---items with high recycled content.
More than 100 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products and services in the Cebu Trade Hall of SM City Cebu until June 7.
Product solutions and innovations for energy efficiency, indoor environmental qualities are among the latest construction materials and technology that will be on exhibit.
“We chose to highlight products, solutions and design practices that are aligned with environmental sustainability,” said Lilibeth Ducut-Abais, managing director of L.A. Ducut and Company Inc. (LADCI).
LACDI is the organizer of CebuCon, in cooperation with Hardwares Consolidated Inc (HCI) and Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines (Green AP).
One of the highlights in this year’s Cebu Con is the Green Seminar to be conducted in cooperation with Green AP, which partnered with CebuCon starting last year.
Green AP promotes environmental awareness through green architecture.
“Green architecture is designing with nature, like the usage of natural light, fresh air and water on the design of the structure,” said architect Miguel Guerrero of Green AP, who will be one of the speakers of the seminar.
Architect Joy Martinez said more people are now aware of how important helping the environment is. She said more projects are “going green.”
“I designed my first green building in 1994 and it was difficult then. Now, the green building is becoming a trend,” said Martinez, who is also an environmental planner.
Ducut-Abais said, “There has been acceleration in the number of buildings which seek to meet green building sustainable design principles.”
In the Philippines, three places have green building ordinances---Quezon City, Makati City and Puerto Princesa.
CebuCon’s Manila counterpart, the Manila Construction Show, will also have an environmental theme and a green forum from Sept. 2 to 5.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on June 5, 2010.
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