Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Center is now EDGE-certified

The Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Center (MBCC) recently received its Level 2: EDGE Advance Certification from the Philippine Green Building Initiative, signifying its status as “zero carbon ready”.

MBCC is located at the foot of Mt. Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, and is a project of the Mindoro Biodiversity  Conservation Foundation, Inc. (MBCFI). It was established to serve as information and education center promoting Mindoro’s unique biodiversity and cultural heritage, with emphasis on their impact on society and climate change.

The structure is a one-story building with 600 sqm. gross floor area that includes a museum, library, ampitheater, research laboratory, nursery, and other features. It is envisioned to benefit present and future generations through programs abd activities that promote the symbiotic relationship between people and natural resources.

EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is a green building certification system established by the International Finance Corporation in response to the need for measurable and credible solution from a project’s design to post-construction stages.

With the EDGE Advance certification, MBCC is now considered a green building with a resource-efficient design that is expected to result in 78% reduction in energy use, 51% in water, and 69% in materials’ embodied energy. The facility utilizes power from a solar energy system donated by the Department of Science and Technology-MIMAROPA, enabling it to save on energy consumption by at least 40%. MBCC is one of only 19 projects in the country to
receive the EDGE Advance certificate.

MBCFI, a non-stock, non-profit organization, was established in 2008 by a group of conservationists, professors and volunteers. It receives funding support from the Malampaya Joint Venture Partners comprised of Prime Energy Resources Development, UC38 LLC, and PNOC Exploration Corporation. The organization has been actively pursuing conservation programs for Mindoro, which is recognized as a global biodiversity conservation priority area.