Southlinks Estate Achieves 5-Star BERDE Rating, First in Metro Manila

Height Realty Inc.'s Southlinks Estate has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first development in Metro Manila to receive a 5-Star BERDE District rating, the highest tier in the Philippines' voluntary green building rating system, BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence). The BERDE system evaluates the planning of an entire community, considering its integration with natural systems, its resilience, and the quality of life it offers residents. Southlinks Estate, a master-planned community south of Metro Manila, features residential lots, open spaces, lifestyle amenities, and future-ready infrastructure. The 33.6-hectare residential community earned its 5-Star rating under BERDE Districts Version 1, Stage 1–Planning. This signifies that the project's sustainability plans have undergone independent assessment, auditing, and verification against the standards set by the Philippine Green Building Council. This achievement positions Southlinks Estate at the forefront of district-scale sustainable development in the capital region. Kevin Kristopher Wong, President and CEO of Height Realty, emphasized that sustainability was integrated from the project's inception. "Southlinks is not simply about developing residential and commercial spaces. It is about creating a district that is sustainable, resilient and designed with the future in mind," Wong stated. The certification also reinforces Height Realty's "Green Luxury Living" concept, which blends sustainability, wellness, resilience, community, and long-term value. Jay de Villa, Assistant Vice President of Height Realty, added, "This 5-Star BERDE recognition is not the end of our journey, it is only the beginning." In the context of the Philippines, where rapid urbanization and population growth present significant environmental challenges, the emphasis on sustainable development and green building practices is increasingly crucial. For developments in Metro Manila, obtaining green building certifications is becoming a key aspect of corporate social responsibility and a response to the growing demand from environmentally conscious consumers. The Southlinks Estate case serves as a notable example of setting new standards for sustainable urban development in the country.