The total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in 2023 was recorded at 2,115, reflecting decrease of 52.88 percent from 4,489 constructions a year ago.

The total floor area occupied for the new construction projects also decreased by 48.52 percent from 1,019,651 square meters in 2022 to 524,911 square meters in 2023. Meanwhile, the value of new construction projects was recorded at PhP6,350.03 million in 2023, posting a decrease of 44.04 percent from PhP11,347.47 million a year ago.

By type of construction, non-residential buildings accounted the highest share in terms of value in 2023. The cost of constructing non-residential building constructions decreased by 37.82 percent with an estimated value of PhP3,429.70 million from PhP5,515.81 million a year ago.

Moreover, the value of constructing residential buildings also decreased by 49.94 percent in 2023 amounting to PhP2,912.79 million from PhP5,818.74 million in 2022.

Furthermore, the value of additions, repairs, renovations and demolitions of existing buildings decreased to PhP7.54 million in 2023 from PhP12.92 million a year ago, posting a decrease of 41.65 percent.

The figure above shows the distribution of approved building permits by city/municipality in La Union in 2023.

Among the city/municipalities, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of construction projects with a share of 22.13 percent (468 constructions) to the total approved building permits in La Union in 2023. Compared with the number of constructions a year ago (1,008 building constructions), it registered a decrease of 53.57 percent.

The municipality of Bacnotan ranked second with 212 constructions (10.02 percent share) while Naguilian ranked third with 203 constructions (9.60 percent share).

In terms of the value of constructions in the province in 2023, the City of San Fernando also occupied the top rank with a share of 31.35 percent (PhP1,991.00 million) to the provincial total. The municipality of Bacnotan ranked second with a share of 22.42 percent (PhP1,423.70 million) while Bauang ranked third with a share of 7.09 percent (PhP450.52 million).

Similarly, the City of San Fernando had the highest value of construction projects among the city/municipalities in 2022 contributing 31.83 percent (PhP3,612.29 million) to the provincial total. The municipality of Bacnotan ranked second with a share of 16.20 percent (PhP1,837.97 million) while Naguilian placed third with a share of 8.72 percent (PhP989.04 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