The total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in 1st quarter 2021 was recorded at 1,787, reflecting an abrupt increase of 288.48 percent from 460 constructions in same quarter last year.

The total floor area occupied for the new construction projects decreased by 40.47 percent from 139,509 square meters in 1st quarter 2020 to 83,048 square meters in 1st quarter 2021. Moreover, the value of new construction projects was recorded at PhP938.45 million in 1st quarter 2021, posting a decrease of 36.45 percent from Php1,476.66 million in the same quarter a year ago.

The figure above shows the distribution of approved building permits by city/municipality in La Union in 1st quarter 2021.

Among the city/municipalities, the municipality of Bauang registered the highest number of construction projects with a share of 63.63 percent (1,137 constructions) to the total approved building permits in La Union in 1st quarter 2021.  Compared with the number of constructions in the same month a year ago (33 building constructions), it registered a decrease of 3,345.45 percent.

Other municipalities with high number of construction projects in 1st quarter 2021 included Naguilian with 109 constructions (6.10 percent share), City of San Fernando with 105 constructions (5.88 percent share) and municipality of San Juan with 104 constructions (5.82 percent share).

In La Union, the City of San Fernando occupied the top rank in terms of the value of constructions in 1st quarter 2021 with a share of 22.43 percent (PhP210.51 million) to the provincial total. The municipality of Bacnotan ranked second with a share of 18.50 percent (PhP173.66 million) and San Juan ranked third with a share of 12.29 percent (PhP115.33 million).

Meanwhile, the municipality of San Juan had the highest value of construction projects among the city/municipalities in 1st quarter 2020 contributing 41.69 percent (PhP615.60 million) to the provincial total. Bauang ranked second with a share of 18.38 percent (Php271.36 million) while the City of San Fernando placed third with a share of 12.29 percent (Php181.42 million).

TECHNICAL NOTES

Scope and Coverage

            Private construction statistics from approved building permits pertain to data on new constructions and additions, alterations and repairs of existing residential and non-residential buildings and other structures undertaken in all city/municipalities of the country. 

            For this publication, the scope and coverage are all city/municipalities in La Union. 

Source of Information

            Data were taken from the original application forms of approved building permits collected every month by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) field personnel from the offices of Local Building Officials (LBOs) provincewide.

Limitation

            1. Data on private building constructions refer to those proposed to be constructed during the reference period and not to construction work completed during the reference period.

            2. The completeness of the number of building permits collected relies on the collection of applications filed with the LBOs.  Hence, private building constructions without approved building permits are excluded in the tabulation of data.

Definition of Terms

Building Permit is a written authorization granted by the LBO to an applicant allowing him to proceed with the construction of a specific project after plans, specifications and other pertinent documents have been found to be in conformity with the National Building Code (RA 6541).

Building is any independent, free-standing structure comprised of one or more rooms or other spaces, covered by a roof and enclosed with external walls or dividing walls which extend from the foundation to the roof.

Floor Area of Building refers to the sum of the area of each floor of the building measured to the outer surface of the outer walls including the area of lobbies, cellars, elevator shafts and all communal spaces in multi-dwellings. Areas of balconies are excluded.

Total Value of Construction refers to the sum of the cost of building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and others.  The value is derived from the approved building permit and represents the estimated value of the building or structure when completed.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist