NEWLY listed Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT) was recently recognized for its sustainability initiatives at the 2021 Asia CEO Awards, which recognizes leaders and nation builders for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the country.

FILRT was among the "Circle of Excellence" finalists in the category "Best Sustainability Company of the Year," the first time the award-giving body gave the recognition in its 12-year history for a company that upholds systems and values that integrate business with environmental accountability. The virtual awarding ceremony was streamed live on October 12 at the Asia CEO Awards Facebook page and the Asia CEO Forum Facebook page.

The real estate investment trust (REIT) of Filinvest takes pride in having the largest office REIT portfolio with a green agenda. FILRT's portfolio consists of 17 Grade A and LEED Gold-certified office buildings. Sixteen of these are located in Northgate Cyberzone in Filinvest City in Alabang, a PEZA Special Economic Zone and IT park, and the first central business district in the country to receive Gold Certification from LEED® v4 for Neighborhood Development.

The buildings are also environment-friendly as they are cooled by the country's largest district cooling system that reduces carbon emissions and energy consumption, the result of Filinvest's partnership with Engie, a world leader in developing sustainable technology solutions with 24/7 eco-loop shuttle service in Filinvest City. Vector Three and Filinvest Three are also both LEED Gold Certified Buildings, a certification sought after by many multinational firms.

"We intend to replicate our green initiative in office and township development, particularly in district cooling, in other Filinvest townships, as well as introduce even more green initiatives in our developments," said Josephine Gotianun-Yap, Filinvest Land Inc. president and CEO and FILRT chairperson.

Read more on: The Manila Times