Healthy, safe, and certified (again): Menarco Tower receives its second WELL-certification!
On 24 September, the International WELL-Building Institute (IWBI) announced that the Menarco Tower in Bonifacio Global City is the first building in Southeast Asia to receive the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management. This new program by WELL was initiated to promote entrepreneurial wellness and inspire both small and large businesses to prioritize the health and safety of their users.
READ MORE: Menarco Tower leads the way with wellness-oriented design
During her presentation at the LIXIL Design Deep Dive Live Sessions, Menarco CEO Carmen Jimenez-Ong shared that “there is truly no better, healthier place to work,” and this second WELL-certification proves that. Jimenez-Ong discussed the benefits that the buildings provide to its users, such as increased productivity, better worker satisfaction, increased retention, and less sick leaves, adding that only a few people use their lifeline clinic.
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The commitment of Menarco to become a healthy and safe environment began even before construction. Aside from extensive preparations and following the standard protocols, Menarco assured the safety of the people who built it. “We didn’t forget those who made it happen — our construction workers. In sweltering 40 degrees heat, as we were reaching out topping off, we provided cooling stations, water, and bananas for electrolytes,” Jimenez-Ong recalled. For everyday operations, the healthy high-rise attends to the physical, mental, and psychological needs of its users. The building covers daily human necessities such as good sunlight, fresh air, clean water, and nutritious food. It advocates for wellness by providing free exercise and music, along with a contemporary vertical art museum that users can visit during breaks. Menarco also assures a reasonable rent and a 62% saving on utility bills, following its energy-saving promise.
According to Jimenez-Ong, the Menarco team is a mindful bunch that knows that a space is merely a space. “You can build whatever you want and call it great, but what matters most is the people who care enough to breathe life into it.” She stated that this new WELL Seal of Approval is a testament to Menarco’s commitment to excellence, demonstrating how people should be taken-cared of even before, during, and after the pandemic. “It’s not about ME, but it’s about WE. It’s about making the world a better place than when we found it.”
READ MORE: Menarco CEO: Healthy Buildings Are a Human Right
