The humble bamboo is getting a lift at Philippines’ first large-scale, ecology-friendly residential and central business district development in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna where Ayala Land will pour in a P10 billion-investment.

A total of 100,000 trees will be planted at Nuvali which will mainly use tree species that are endemic to this once sugarcane field of the Yulos.

And bamboos, native to the Philippine soil, will take center stage in this real estate development as it is a specie that can help reverse the effects of climate change.

“We’re planting bamboo trees which contributes 10 times more oxygen than normal trees. A bamboo tree can last 100 years and is self-generating. Once you harvest it, it grows again,” said Ayala Land Inc. Vice President and Nuvali General Manager Aniceto V. Bisnar Jr. to reporters on field tour.

Already P2.5 billion has been invested in Nuvali since 2007. Over the next five years, 460 hectares will be developed.

The bamboo tree may have been ignored in the country, but its economic benefit is definitely immense.

“It can generate a lot of income for Filipinos specially in the barangays. Aside from the wood for constructing houses and for furniture, there are many products from bamboo – the sticks for barbecue, the chopsticks in restaurants. Unfortunately, we are importing these from other countries, said Bisnar.

“It produces very useful products. It’s even used for food. The bamboo shoot can be used as a vegetable salad or as food for people in the barangay. Just like the coconut, I consider it a miracle tree. And if we encourage its propagation, it can generate income and employment.”

Ayala Land is investing an estimated P10 billion for Nuvali which is a vast development spanning 1,700 hectares. From the present development of residential sites, Nuvali will be host to a central business district conceived to become the “next Makati.”

A total of 46 hectares has been designated as a PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority)-registered zone. Locators will benefit from tax incentives.

The Nuvali development uses a low-intensity land design which involves balancing of open and built spaces at a 50-50 percent rate. This aligns with “green” guidelines benchmarked by the US Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.

The guidelines involve best practices in water conservation and reuse, energy efficiency, and waste management.

Water conservation is practiced through recycling; mandatory double-piping that enables water reuse where potable or drinking water is not a necessity; storm water management; bio-swales; and permeable surfacing such as rammed earth pavers and porous concrete pavers in pedestrian lanes and parking areas to recharge the natural underground water supply.

It has a four-hectare man-made lake that serves as a rainwater harvester which continuously recharges the water table.

On solid waste management, it will reduce Nuvali’s estimated landfill input through a waste segregation and material recovery facility.

Nuvali also has a 17-kilometer buffer area that has a wildlife and bird sanctuary. This area, home to 75 faunal species and 55 flora species, is developed in partnership with Haribon Foundation.

In waste water management, Ayala Land partners with also Ayala-owned Manila Water which runs the Laguna water system.

“We’re partnering with Manila Water which plans to modernize the water system and sewerage system in other towns in Laguna so that people can enjoy the environment without hurting it,” said Bisnar.