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Sustainable Real Estate: Why You Should Work in a Green Building

The COVID-19 pandemic has reemphasized the importance of public health within communities. The global health crisis highlighted how the environment and space people occupy can directly affect their health significantly. In the middle of a global climate and health crisis, promoting sustainable spaces is more crucial than ever. Green and sustainable workspaces do not just benefit the environment, they greatly impact the people in them as well.


Why You Should Work in a Green Office

Much research has found a link between a safe and healthy office space and design with the overall well-being of its occupants. From health benefits to productivity boosts and the obvious environmentally friendly impact, here are more reasons why employees should work in a green building:

Health Benefits

Providing plants and real greenery is one of the easiest ways of gradually transforming an office into a green space. Studies as early as the 1960s proved how plants can drastically improve the air quality in a contained area. A study conducted at Washington State University revealed that incorporating plants in office spaces can reduce dust levels by as much as 20%, as the plants remove particulate matter from the indoor environment. Office flora can also help bolster humidity levels to the 30% – 60% range required for human health.

The biophilic design of workspaces inside green buildings incorporates ecological aspects that minimize stress levels, reduce mental fatigue, and elevate mood.

Increased Productivity

Having large windows that allow maximum natural light to come into the space also positively impacts the wellness of employees. Exposure to sunlight was proven to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused, improving morale and productivity.

A study from Northwestern Medicine and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also discussed how improved indoor environmental quality doubled their participants’ cognitive function and boost creativity.

Friend of the Environment

In a press release, UN Environment has highlighted how buildings are a key driver of energy demand globally.

Green buildings are designed and constructed to significantly reduce global emissions, as the buildings sector is responsible for around 39% of all energy-related CO2 emissions and 36% of final energy use.

Sustainable real estate is an effort to reduce the grave impact of buildings which accounts for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions and 20% of all solid waste generation in developed countries, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

RELATED: Workplace Re-Entry 101: Why choose green buildings as your next office

Premium green buildings, such as JEG Tower @ One Acacia, invest in the well-being of its building occupiers by addressing health and wellbeing in a holistic approach. By following industry-set standards and optimizing building design and operations, it is one of the most ideal locations to work in Cebu City. JEG Tower puts a premium on its tenants’ health while practicing sustainability and energy efficiency.

Named as 2020’s Best Green Commercial Development in the Philippines, this 22-storey tower has achieved its LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council. With 68 points, it is the highest-scoring LEED 2009 project in the province.

Contact KMC via jegtower@kmcmaggroup.com for leasing inquiries and more information today!

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JEG Tower achieves LEED Gold, set to become Cebu’s First Commercial Development to use Solar Energy

JEG Tower @ One Acacia has officially achieved a LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council. The development was also awarded 68 points, the highest-scoring LEED CS project in Cebu. The 22-story tower achieved gold for BD+C Core and Shell.

Moreover, 2020’ Best Green Commercial Development in the Philippines is set to become Cebu’s first commercial development to use solar energy as it enters into a 20-Year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with COREnergy for a Zero Cash-Out solar photovoltaics (PV) plant. 

(Photos from COREnergy. Actual panels on JEG Tower to be installed.)

The development is set to utilize a 40 kWp Solar PV System from over 100 pieces of Polycrystalline PV Modules installed on the building crown. The system will be able to supply electricity to fully or partially power the lower ground floor to the 6th Floor.

“The idea of using renewable energy to power portions of JEG Tower was always intriguing to us and when the opportunity was there, it was a no brainer,” JEG Development Corporation (JDC) COO Marko Sarmiento said. “It is an important milestone for our company since it makes us the first developer in Cebu to have a solar roof deck installation on a high-rise office building. It is also consistent with our vision to be innovators in the industry.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia’s venture to renewable energy is just proof of its commitment to use a safer energy option to benefit the environment. “Sourcing out solar energy used to be a challenge but with suppliers like COREnergy, availability is here and more importantly it is affordable,” Sarmiento said.

Innovators in the Industry

JDC, a homegrown real estate commercial and residential developer in Cebu City, is regarded to be one of the frontrunners of sustainability and green real estate in the country. With this additional top-grade green feature for JEG Tower, the company becomes one of the pioneers of renewable energy in the Visayan region.

“The building will be utilizing solar power to pump water from the cistern tank to the water tank above the roof deck, run all the electrical systems in the main lobby including the turnstiles, run the systems in the fire command center, run back of the house systems and/or the building manager’s office,” Tomas Tan, JDC’s Senior Manager for Technical Services explained. He also noted that the high-rise commercial building will use the generated energy in real time, requiring no electric storage.

“No batteries or net metering system is required since the power generated by the solar PV system will be immediately used to run the building,” he added.

(Photos from COREnergy. Actual panels on JEG Tower to be installed.)

Sustainable Growth for Cebu

As the Visayan capital and the main economic stronghold outside Luzon, Metro Cebu rapidly became urbanized and dense with more office and commercial buildings. Environmentalists in the region pinpoint this economic boom as one of the main factors in the disruption of the province’s biodiversity.


According to a sustainability report by Barone International, JEG Tower @ One Acacia has successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions by diverting 1,527,584 lbs. of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually. As a testament to the tower’s unique energy efficiency, its energy savings is 23% lower than that of a non-green building.

Smart use of water resources is being implemented in the building by reducing potable water utilization for toilets, urinals, and shower that helps natural conservation of resources, reduces costs, and improve the building’s efficiency. Proper collection of recyclables and waste management has also been considered to ensure severe impacts to landfills.

“There is no long-term future without sustainability,” JDC’s Brand Manager Ayla Gomez reiterated. “In a fast-growing city like Cebu, sustainability should really be at the forefront of every developer. We are at a unique time and place where health, safety and wellness continue to prove that these are important factors to be able to keep progressing and ensure growth.”

JEG Tower goes above and beyond sustainability standards as it ensures ozone protection by using a Hydroflourocarbon (HFC) R-410A which has zero Ozone-depletion potential in the refrigerant used for the building. It also implemented an erosion and sedimentation control plan during construction. It also has pocket green spaces and a pioneering green roof that provides restoration of habitats that will support local flora and fauna.

“Anything we can power through a sustainable source is a great benefit for a building, beyond energy consumption, this further emphasizes the efficiency of our energy model and ultimately helps us lower carbon footprint,” Gomez said.

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Wellness Ratings & The Office: Why it Matters

The global health crisis has undoubtedly highlighted the need for ‘healthier’ and safer buildings and public spaces. Now more than ever, people need a safer and healthier workplace. The ‘new normal’ presents an opportunity for companies to reevaluate the priorities for their employees and tenants and pivot towards a more sustainable approach in commercial real estate in the Philippines.

Driven by the growing consciousness and awareness of the public to the importance of such spaces, there is also an increasing appetite from investors and owners for buildings to implement more holistic measures which improve the spaces they offer to the public.

What is a Building ‘Wellness Rating’?

Wellness ratings aim to measure and recognize public spaces that provide utmost importance to the health and well-being of its tenants. These ratings are certifications that developers and property owners aspire to complete and achieve as a symbol of their commitment to building spaces that put a premium on the public’s welfare, especially in the new normal.

Wellness Ratings in the Philippines

In the Philippines, commercial developments can aim for LEED, BERDE, and WELL certifications to ensure the quality of spaces they construct and offer to the public.

LEED or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Development is one of the certifications that buildings in the country can apply to ensure the safety, comfort, and security of the building’s occupiers.

Developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), it is an internationally recognized certification program that provides a third-party verification that a building was designed and built following strategies aimed to underscore the triple bottom line of sustainability: People, Planet, and Profit.

The ‘People’ concept of sustainability highlights the importance of the experience inside the building. It emphasizes how providing an ideal environment for occupants can contribute to their working performance, motivation, happiness, and its overall impacts on public health and society as a whole.

READ MORE: LEED’s Triple Bottomline: How JEG Tower @ One Acacia uplifts People, Planet, and Profit

BERDE, or the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence, is a tool to assess, measure, monitor, and certify the performance of green building projects in the Philippines. Developed by the Philippine Green Building Council, this rating aims to ensure green buildings perform and follow existing national and local building and environmental laws, regulations, and mandatory standards in the country.

WELL, on the other hand, is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing. Commercial buildings and establishments are evaluated through various elements that contribute and affect holistic well-being of the public including air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

Why is Wellness Important in the Office

Commercial developments and office buildings in the Philippines should aim to provide healthy and safe spaces for their tenants, employees, and occupants. Putting the public’s well-being on top of the priority will not only be a unique feature for an establishment but will also benefit the business in the long run.

Studies show that healthy and happy employees perform better and faster in the workplace, effectively increasing their output and boosting their motivation to work. Healthy workspaces also improve and maintain employee morale, fosters loyalty, and increase employee retention.

Moreover, a company that takes care of their employees by providing healthy and safe workspaces create a better and more ideal brand identity and reputation.

With its vision of Bringing Work to Life, JEG Tower @ One Acacia revolutionizes work and life balance by integrating sustainability and sophistication in its design and operations. Office spaces in this 22-storey commercial tower offer the best working environment, amplified by its unique green features and guided by LEED standards.

Interested to learn more? Connect with Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-825-6884 to find out how you can locate your business in the best workplace in Cebu City.

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Cebuano Pride: How JEG Development Corp. partners with local businesses to showcase expertise and culture

JEG Development Corporation has always envisioned a better Cebu. Inspired by the legacy of its namesake Jose Escano Garcia’s vision of putting his homeland first, JDC has been promoting Cebuano pride by partnering with local businesses and celebrating the province’s heritage. The company’s long-standing presence in Cebu has molded the family corporation’s vision to give back to the Cebuanos through their businesses.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia, the country’s Best Commercial Green Development for 2020, is the Garcia-Sarmiento clan’s pledge to a better Cebu. The 22-storey premium office and commercial tower features state-of-the-art technology to provide the best and safest working environment for its tenants. The development was also designed and constructed to minimize negative impacts on the environment, earning a LEED Silver Pre-certification from the US Green Building Council.

Partners for Growth

Aside from pushing for a more sustainable real estate sector in Cebu, JDC also aims to support local players in the industry. The company has collaborated with local suppliers, consultants, vendors in completing construction. In the process, JDC has become a partner for these businesses’ growth.

“We’d like to think that we are growing with them,” Ayla Gomez, JDC’s Brand Manager expressed. “We wanted JEG Tower @ One Acacia to be a representation of what Cebu can offer. We wanted to showcase the talents of Cebuanos, being a homegrown and local developer as well.”

PEZA Accreditation

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is Cebu City’s newest PEZA Accredited building. Cebu-based Fernandez Aguja Law Firm has been the company’s consultant in the whole registration and accreditation process.

The premium commercial development is also nearing its completion and launch. This is made possible by homegrown contractors and suppliers that have shared the company’s vision of bringing the best to fellow Cebuanos.

Showcasing talent and heritage

JEG Tower @ One Acacia has also recently opened its much-anticipated showroom. More than presenting a staging of an office space in the tower, the 7th floor showroom also features locally produced furniture from Detalia Aurora and Obra Cebuana. Pieces from these Cebu-based companies were carefully curated to complement the building’s sophisticated design. Some of the furniture and decorative pieces in JEG Tower’s showroom also highlight Cebu’s rich heritage and culture.

JEG Development Corporation partners with local businesses to showcase homegrown expertise and celebrate the province’s heritage and culture. Driven by the goal of giving back to their people, JEG Tower @ One Acacia becomes a symbol of Cebuano pride and accomplishment.

Interested in leasing in this proudly Cebuano property? Schedule a viewing today! Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-852-6884. You can also send us an email at info@kmcmaggroup.com or reach out to us through (+63) 2-8403-5519.

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LEED’s Triple Bottomline: How JEG Tower @ One Acacia uplifts People, Planet, and Profit

As the term ‘Sustainability’ developed into a more encompassing concept, green buildings now aim to cover the economic and social effects of real estate on the society. JEG Tower @ One Acacia is Cebu City’s newest premium building to rise in the Cebu Business District. Being a LEED Pre-certified Silver commercial development, this 22-storey, Grade A building underscores the triple bottom line of sustainability that is People, Planet, and Profit.


According to the Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments, businesses and organizations that follow these principles and approach create long-term value by embracing opportunities and managing risks derived from changes in economic, environmental, and social factors.


The ‘People’ concept of sustainability highlights the importance of the experience inside the building. It emphasizes how providing an ideal environment for occupants can contribute to their working performance, motivation, happiness, and its overall impacts on public health and society as a whole.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia was designed and constructed to be a safe environment and a premium space for Cebuanos. Being a Pre-certified Silver LEED building, it prioritizes the health and well-being of its occupants with its top-grade amenities and green features. The tower ensures the safety and protection of its tenants from different threats to their health. JEG Tower utilizes top-grade amenities, such as the MERV 13 filter and the fresh air system, to provide an improved and the optimal indoor air quality inside the building.

READ MORE: JEG Tower Focus: MERV and Fresh Air System for Optimal Indoor Air Quality

JEG Tower also enhanced its features that safeguard its tenants from the virus and other health hazards. As an additional layer of protection, it utilizes contactless technology through automated doors and sensor-automated fixtures. The tower also has designated areas for sanitation and disinfection.


More than the physical aspect of wellness, the tower also uplifts the mental health of its occupiers through some of its key design elements: a lot of dedicated green spaces and large windows. Following a biophilic office design, employees can maximize natural light and exposure to plants and nature which are scientifically proven to improve mood, relieve stress, and induce motivation. JEG Tower also features a unique green rooftop, making it one of the most identifiable landmarks in the Cebu City skyline.

The ‘Planet’ concept of sustainability considers the environmental impacts of the design of the building and its operations on air, water, land, and the global climate. JEG Tower @ One Acacia was developed by, JEG Development Corporation, one of the country’s frontrunners of sustainable real estate.

It utilizes state-of-the-art technology such as the Destination Oriented Allocation System (DOAS) elevator systems to ensure strategic and safe movement within the building. These elevators are integrated with the installed turnstiles that allow for a unique lift assignment, assuring a less crowded lobby. This technology also improves the energy efficiency of the building, successfully reducing the development’s carbon footprint.

RELATED: How JEG Tower ensures workplace safety

This premium development also uses green construction materials such as non-VOC paints and locally sourced wood and raw materials. JEG Tower also has its own material recovery facility to support its vision of creating fewer negative impacts on the environment. The development also has a rainwater collection facility which also helps in water conservation.


“Green developments aren’t a standard yet in Cebu, but we want to take the initiative starting with this building,” Marko Sarmiento, JDC’s Chief Operating Officer said. “The green movement in the real estate industry has so much potential, and I think the Cebuanos can benefit from it,” he said.

Recently, JEG Tower @ One Acacia was recognized as the country’s 2020 Best Green Commercial Development with its impressive green features and commitment to prioritizing the holistic well-being of its tenants. PropertyGuru Philippines has also shortlisted this premier development as Best Office Development in the same year.

The ‘Profit’ concept focuses on the financial aspect of businesses located in a green building. JEG Tower @ One Acacia delivers the best working environment for its tenants, making itself a partner to these businesses’ growth and success. Moreover, it also significantly factors in a company’s savings and operating costs. With JEG Tower’s design and green features, occupiers can have utility savings by up to 12%.

LEED’s triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit emphasizes how connected each aspect is to each other. Utility savings and energy costs can have a direct impact on the environment, and the environment can affect the community’s overall well-being as a whole.

Interested to learn more about JEG Tower’s advocacy? Reach out to Michael Glindro at (+63) 917-584-0443. For more information on leasing, send us an email at info@kmcmaggroup.com or reach out to us through (+632) 8403-5519.