The total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in 1^st quarter of 2023 was recorded at 669, reflecting an increase of 10.03 percent from 608 construction projects in the same quarter last year.

The total floor area of the new construction projects decreased by 15.89 percent from 139,272 square meters in 1^st quarter of 2022 to 117,144 square meters in 1^st quarter of 2023. Moreover, the value of the new construction projects also went down by 7.44 percent from PhP1,308.65 million in 1^st quarter of 2022 to PhP1,211.26 million in 1^st quarter of 2023.

By type of construction, residential buildings accounted the highest share (74.70%) in terms of value in 1^st quarter of 2023. The value of constructing residential buildings increased by 29.46 percent with an estimated value of PhP904.86 million from PhP698.95 million in 1^st quarter of last year.

On the other hand, the value of constructing non-residential buildings decreased by 49.58 percent in 1^st quarter of 2023 amounting to PhP306.30 million from PhP607.47 million in the same quarter a year ago.

The figure above shows the distribution of new construction projects by city/municipality in La Union in 1^st quarter of 2023.

Among the city/municipalities, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of construction projects with a share of 18.83 percent (126 constructions) to the total approved building permits in La Union in 1^st quarter of 2023. Compared with the number of constructions in the same quarter a year ago (127 building constructions), it registered a decrease of 0.79 percent.

Second in rank in terms of number of construction projects in the 1^st quarter of 2023 was Naguilian with 99 constructions (14.80 percent share), while third in rank was Bacnotan with 66 constructions (9.87 percent share).

In La Union, the City of San Fernando also ranked the top rank in terms of the value of new constructions in 1^st quarter of 2023 with a share of 18.63 percent (PhP225.64 million) to the provincial total. Bacnotan ranked second with a share of 12.06 percent (PhP146.06 million) while Bauang ranked third with a share of 10.23 percent (PhP123.96 million).

Similarly, the City of San Fernando had the highest value of construction projects among the city/municipalities in the 1^st quarter of 2022 contributing 38.69 percent (PhP506.34 million) to the provincial total. Naguilian ranked second with a share of 14.85 percent (Php194.37 million) while Bauang placed third with a share of 10.13 percent (PhP132.61 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, PhD
Chief Statistical Specialist

/KJGH