Lessons in Real Estate No. 2 "we build to live and not to destroy"

The process of establishing a human settlement or building a community is never a simple or easy task. There are several major concerns that must be considered, such as but not limited to the environmental impact of a project specifically on the community (use of environment friendly materials, designs etc), its effect on the value of the property in the area (whether the project would increase the value of the surrounding areas, and obviously, one would definitely adversely affect the price of property if a factory or high rise building were to be built in a residential area), the potential which it can provide to itself as well as to the neighborhood (like building a "trendsetting" house) and the list goes on. The point here is that whenever there is a project, be it a house, a condominium or a subdivision, it is important that the area is developed in a manner that it will not be out there to destroy the environment or the community itself. Therefore, when one intends to have a house built, make sure that the drainage and sewerage systems are appropriately designed that would not be a source of environmental or waste disposal problems later on; further, the materials used must not be toxic, design should encourage safety and the use of the natural environment (meaning, less aircon, more fresh air, less energy consumption, more sunlight, less noise emissions), and there should be spaces for the greening of the home where plants and trees could be grown for a healthier environment. In order words, a home, a condominium, a building, or any project should be built that people may live in a clean, safe and happy environment.

Lessons in Real Estate No. 1 "sustainability is a duty we owe to future generations for the earth is merely held in trust by us"

“x-x-x the concept of intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and healthful ecology is concerned. x-x-x considers the "rhythm and harmony of nature." Nature means the created world in its entirety. Such rhythm and harmony indispensably include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and conservation of the country's forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, off-shore areas and other natural resources to the end that their exploration, development and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as well as future generations. Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology. Put a little differently, the minors' assertion of their right to a sound environment constitutes, at the same time, the performance of their obligation to ensure the protection of that right for the generations to come.” Excerpts from Source : Oposa et al. vs. Factoran et al., G.R. No. 101083 July 30, 1993