Continuing its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable infrastructure, two more of the company’s professionals—Joan Dayto and Ar. Fely Ramos—have successfully earned their BERDE Professional Certification early this month, following the path of colleagues Engr. Mccoy Viñas and Ar. Justin Medina who were certified in 2023.
After completing an intensive two-day face-to-face training course held at the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) office in Taguig City, both Joan and Fely passed a 200-item examination assessing their knowledge on topics ranging from the BERDE core framework to the project certification processes. “There was a lot to absorb. It was intense,” Joan shared. “But it was also incredibly enlightening. It tested not only our memory but also how deeply we understood the core principles of sustainability and their application in the real world.”
BERDE, which is short for Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence, is the Philippines’ National Voluntary Green Building Rating System. Developed by PHILGBC, it measures, verifies, and monitors the environmental performance of buildings, encouraging resource-efficient, healthier, and climate-responsive design practices. With categories ranging from energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor environmental quality to materials and ecological impact, BERDE provides a comprehensive framework not just for new construction, but also for operations, retrofits, and entire communities, making it a critical tool for shaping the Philippines’ green infrastructure future.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
For Joan, her sustainability journey began during her time as an architecture student. “I was first introduced to BERDE in college, and in 2020, I joined the BERDE Professionals Basic Training Course through the United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary (UAPSA). That deepened my interest in sustainable building design,” she recalled.
Her personal experiences have also shaped her commitment to sustainability. While living in Muntinlupa City, Joan found inspiration in a known township development in Alabang, a rare example of a BERDE-certified Green District that merges modern architecture with natural ecological features. “The seamless integration of urban planning and green design really stuck with me. It’s what I aspire to emulate in my work,” she said.
For Ar. Fely Ramos, the path was more practical but no less meaningful. Encouraged by Head of Human Resources Carlo Salonga who is a member of the Board of Trustees of PHILGBC, Fely pursued BERDE certification to elevate the sustainability of First Balfour’s building designs. “BERDE offers different certification levels for structures, and the more people we have trained, the more we can push our standards higher,” she explained.
However, both know that certification wasn’t the end goal—it was only the beginning.
Today, Joan plays a pivotal role as the Person-In-Charge (PIC) of new renovations for the First Balfour Head Office, a facility that already holds a 1-Star Design Recognition under BERDE’s Green Building Rating System for New Construction. “The insights I gained from the BERDE course are actively shaping the design and construction strategies we’re implementing,” she said. Cognizant of the fact that the construction industry significantly contributes to global emissions, Joan shares, “As builders, we’re in a position to change that narrative. We can create infrastructure that serves people while protecting the planet.”
Fely, who is part of the Technical Services Department, echoed that sentiment, pointing to the company’s broader mission: “First Balfour champions a decarbonized and regenerative future, and BERDE is one of the ways we can make that a reality.” She is exploring how to translate BERDE principles across different types of projects. “What we’ve learned is currently best applied to high-rise buildings, but with First Balfour’s guidance, we can find ways to adapt these principles to industrial projects and beyond,” she noted.
With the addition of Joan and Fely to First Balfour’s roster of certified BERDE Professionals (Read: Viñas, Medina earn BERDE Professional Certification), First Balfour is building a strong internal network of sustainability advocates. These professionals are not just certified—they are driving real change in how buildings are imagined, constructed, and maintained.
Their achievements signal a promising direction for the company: one where technical excellence meets environmental consciousness, and where sustainable practices are embedded at every level of design and execution. To learn more about BERDE and its role in shaping a more sustainable Philippines, visit https://berdeonline.org/
