Town showcases climate-change adaptive architecture project

By Keren Anne Bernadas

Climate change-adaptive architecture is often celebrated for its ability to adjust to the changing conditions and impacts of a warming climate, ensuring buildings remain functional during extreme weather events like typhoons, floods and heatwaves.

There’s perhaps no better example of this in the Bicol region than the new town hall of Pasacao, Camarines Sur, set to be inaugurated in early 2026.

Pasacao Mayor Niño Tayco told the Philippine Information Agency that a new municipal hall is being built with a strong focus on green technology.

“Ito ay pinag-aralan talaga na magiging environmentally-adaptive building. Hindi na ito gagamit ng highly-industrialized materials o kahit power,” he said.

Tayco said he believes that this new building will set an example of how to create a sustainable environment by using eco-friendly resources and renewable energy.

This project is part of the municipality’s main agenda, called “Ataman sa Kapalibutan,” which highlights the importance of caring for the environment while also developing tourism, he added.

Noel Ciudadano, the municipal planning and development officer, shared that the building will include solar panels, allowing the municipality to use electricity without any costs.

Additionally, they plan to sell any extra energy generated back to the local electric company, he said.

Ciudadano said the new building has already entered its first phase, which costs around P100 million. It focuses on using green technologies.

For example, it will feature systems that manage rainwater by filtering and storing it for everyday use, like flushing toilets and cleaning.

To save energy, the building will have glass roofs that let in natural light, reducing the need for electric lights and air conditioning. This design uses the natural cooling around the building to keep it comfortable without spending extra on energy.

Surrounding the building will be a hanging garden, and its centerpiece will be a small model of Daruanak Island, which is significant to the community as it represents safety and strength during storms.

When harsh weather hits, local fishermen and tourists often seek refuge by docking their boats at the island until it’s safe to return, Ciudadano said.

To support the local economy, all tables and chairs inside the building will be sourced from Bula, Camarines Sur. Ciudadano said that by purchasing locally, the municipality aims to keep the money within the province, fostering a circular economy.

Once completed next year, the new municipal hall will have all major municipal services on the first floor, while additional services will be located upstairs.

National government agencies such as the Commission on Elections, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government were also given free office spaces at the new municipal hall.

Addressing the youth, Ciudadano said: “to serve as a model for you, and an inspiration at the same time to go with the flow of nature, and not against it.

The project has been praised by architects in the Bicol region.

Architect Mark Janes Taplac highlighted that by adding environmentally friendly technology to the design of the new municipal hall, the local government of Pasacao will help reduce pollution.

“Through this green municipal hall, we can adopt smart practices for saving water and energy. These eco-friendly technologies will help us tackle climate change and global warming effectively and will be a wise investment for our municipal government,” Taplac said.

Architect Jennifer Vibar from the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology is one of the technical advisers for the construction of the building.

She said, “We fully support Pasacao’s efforts to build an environmentally friendly municipal hall. This project will encourage care for our environment by minimizing the harmful effects of buildings on nature and will create a healthier working space for employees, leading to better indoor air quality.”

Vibar also mentioned that while the initial costs may be higher, the benefits in the long run will be significant due to reduced operating and maintenance expenses, providing better financial returns in the future.

“Buildings that are environmentally friendly also tend to increase in value, so choosing green options is beneficial for everyone involved,” she concluded. (PIA Bicol)