Insider Spotlight
Daiichi Properties is among the companies advancing that shift, with three of its Bonifacio Global City office developments earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Operations and Maintenance certifications, including the country's first-ever LEED O+M Platinum recognition for an office building.
The milestone highlights a broader trend in commercial real estate, where operational sustainability has become an increasingly important consideration for tenants, investors, and building owners seeking globally aligned performance standards.
Market shift
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is one of the world's most recognized frameworks for sustainable buildings.
Its Operations and Maintenance certification evaluates how buildings perform in daily operations, covering areas such as energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and occupant experience.
Unlike certifications that focus primarily on design and construction, LEED O+M measures whether sustainability practices are consistently maintained throughout a building's lifecycle.
Leading Daiichi Properties' achievement is The Finance Centre on 26th Street, which secured LEED O+M Platinum status. The recognition makes it the first office building in the Philippines and only the second in Southeast Asia to attain the highest certification level under the rating system.
World Plaza on 5th Avenue also achieved LEED O+M Platinum, becoming the second office building in the country to receive the distinction. Meanwhile, One World Place on 32nd Street earned LEED O+M Gold, upgrading from its previous LEED Core and Shell Silver certification.
Operational focus
The certifications reflect a growing emphasis on operational excellence across the office sector as companies seek workplaces that support employee well-being while reducing environmental impact.
For property owners, sustainability is increasingly being measured not only through architectural features but also through the day-to-day management of buildings.
"This milestone is especially meaningful for us because it reflects the care and intention we put into our buildings every single day, not only in how they are designed, but in how people experience them," Daiichi Properties president and COO Charmaine C. Uy said in a statement.
"Becoming the first office building in the Philippines to achieve LEED O+M Platinum is an honor we share with our tenants, partners, and teams who have been part of this journey. More importantly, it strengthens our commitment to continuously create workplaces that support well-being, sustainability, and the evolving needs of the communities we serve."
Industry benchmark
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), which administers LEED certifications through third-party verification, said the recognitions underscore the importance of sustained operational performance.
"These certifications underscore Daiichi Properties' leadership in advancing existing buildings excellence through LEED v4.1 O+M performance in the region. LEED Platinum certification reflects disciplined operations, strong management practices, and sustained environmental impact," said GBCI managing director Gopalakrishnan P in the statement.
As environmental, social, and governance considerations continue to influence real estate decisions, developers are facing increasing pressure to deliver office environments that balance efficiency, occupant comfort, and environmental responsibility.
For Daiichi Properties, the certifications represent another step in its long-term sustainability strategy and a sign of how the Philippine office market is steadily moving toward higher standards of building performance.
The company said it remains focused on creating future-ready developments while contributing to the advancement of green building practices in the country. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
