Championing sustainability in real estate

Q&A WITH IDC: Sustainability Agenda chats with Italpinas Development Corp.

- IRIS GONZALES

(IDC) chairman and CEO Romolo Nati on what it means to be a sustainable developer in an evolving landscape. Below is an excerpt of the interview: IDC is known as a green developer. How has it evolved since you started? Romolo Nati: When IDC was founded in 2009, sustainable development and green design weren't major topics in the Philippines.

We prefer using the term "sustainability" rather than "green" because sustainability encompasses more than just environmental concerns it includes financial and social sustainability as well.

In our early days, my partner Atty. Jojo Leviste and I were seen as outliers, promoting green buildings, especially in provinces where sustainability was often dismissed as an exotic concept.

Despite initial skepticism, we were confident that the need for sustainable business practices would eventually be recognized.

Fast forward to today, the Philippines is fully committed to the 17 Sustainable Develop ment Goals (SDGs) set by the UN, a clear sign of how the landscape has evolved.

IDC is proud to have been a first mover in advocating for sustainable development in the country.