Union Bank bares sustainable banking initiatives

IN A ceremony held recently at its head office along Meralco Avenue in Pasig, UnionBank showcased how it has become a trailblazer when it comes to green buildings by becoming the first bank in the country to get LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) — Platinum and Gold certifications for two of its branches.

The Platinum certification, the highest LEED rating given by the US Green Building Council, was bestowed on UnionBank’s Olongapo branch recently.

Prior to this, the bank’s Tacloban branch, which was the first bank to restore operations after super typhoon Yolanda ravaged the province in 2013, also became the first bank branch to earn LEED Gold certification. LEED is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence that promotes a healthy, durable and affordable environmental practice in building design and construction.

It has been changing the way people think about how buildings and communities are planned, constructed, maintained and operated. Leaders around the world have made LEED the most widely used third-party verification for green buildings.

To achieve LEED Platinum and Gold certifications, UnionBank’s Facilities Management Group headed by first Vice-President Montano Dimapilis closely monitored strict adherence to the rigorous LEED requirements on sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.

“The recent distinction of being the first bank to achieve the highest possible rating from the international symbol of green excellence proves our championing of sustainable banking in the country. These sustainability initiatives are ongoing commitments of the bank. You can expect more LEED news from us soon,” Mr. Dimapilis said.

The new UnionBank Plaza-owned building in Olongapo has green building features such as rainwater catchment for flushing of toilets and irrigation of the vegetated roof deck, a parking area open-grid pavers, and bicycle racks allocated for UnionBank employees.

The Olongapo branch’s interior features include HVAC systems, lighting fixtures with occupancy sensors, and plumbing fixtures. It will also provide its own site-renewable energy that can produce a maximum power of three kilowatts through the use of solar panels located at the building’s roof deck.

Meanwhile, the Tacloban branch has sustainability measures including plumbing fixtures that keep water efficiency to below 20%, volatile organic compound materials to ensure the health and safety of everyone, and solar panels to supplement energy source as well as LED lights or sensors, reducing consumption by 15%.