Ayala Land’s 752-hectare Vermosa estate in Cavite has received the highest rating under the Philippine Green Building Council’s (PHILGBC) BERDE Districts certification system, adding a sustainability credential to its bid to establish itself as a major residential and commercial growth center south of Metro Manila.
The BERDE 5-Star Certification recognizes the estate’s integration of environmental performance, resource efficiency, climate resilience and active mobility into its master plan. The recognition comes as property developers increasingly incorporate sustainability standards into large-scale projects, amid growing attention to environmental risks and long-term operating costs.
Spanning Imus and Dasmariñas, Vermosa combines residential communities, commercial developments, recreational facilities and green spaces within an interconnected estate designed to accommodate long-term urban expansion.
A key component is its 143-hectare North Central Business District, which sets aside 19 hectares for green open spaces. The allocation places landscaped areas alongside planned commercial activity, reflecting an approach to estate development that integrates natural spaces into business districts.
Other features include pedestrian-friendly streets, bicycle infrastructure, water conservation measures, greywater management systems and energy-efficient district planning.
Developed by PHILGBC, the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) framework assesses projects against environmental performance standards that exceed mandatory building requirements. At the district level, certification considers sustainability measures across a broader development rather than focusing solely on individual structures.
“Receiving the BERDE 5-Star Certification under BERDE Districts reflects our commitment to building sustainable, future-ready communities that create long-term value for residents, businesses, and stakeholders,” said Vermosa senior project development head John Estacio.
He said independently verified environmental standards could support healthier living environments for residents while helping commercial locators operate more efficiently.
For Ayala Land, the certification strengthens the sustainability credentials of an estate intended to accommodate residential demand and commercial activity in Cavite. It also provides a benchmark for assessing the development’s environmental planning as the property market places greater emphasis on resource efficiency and climate resilience.
However, certification alone does not establish the estate’s actual environmental impact or operating performance. Those outcomes will depend on implementation, resource consumption and how effectively sustainability measures are maintained as Vermosa develops.
