Menarco Development founder Carmen Jimenez-Ong believes the country’s property development sector has what it takes to meet global standards in building healthier structures.
Her maiden project, Menarco Tower, located in Bonifacio Global City (below), is one such project, after receiving LEED and WELL certification at the Gold level.
Speaking at the Sustainable Building Forum 2019 organized by Arcadis Philippines, Inc., Jimenez-Ong emphasized the qualitative returns of having both certifications.
“I believe that Menarco has set the new normal in putting people and planet first, and I hope to stir the consciousness among my fellow builders about what is possible in our country,” she said.
Citing the World Green Building Trends of 2018 in Southeast Asia, Jimenez-Ong said that there is a growing preference for buildings that promote improved health and well-being of its occupants in Southeast Asia.
She explained that Menarco added approximately 2.4% only to the original building cost to create a sustainable space that meets the gold standards of LEED and WELL.
She expects to recoup this supplementary investment within 4 to 5 years because of substantial savings the Tower has gained from operational costs. At the forum, were (from left to right): Samantha Allen, director of International WELL Building Institute Asia; Carmen Jimenez-Ong, founder & CEO, Menarco Development Corporation; Rowena Ramos, chair of the PHILGBC BERDE Committee