The total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in third quarter 2020 was recorded at 340, reflecting a decrease of 18.85 percent from 419 constructions in same quarter last year.

The total floor area occupied for the new construction projects also decreased by 35.05 percent from 82,437 square meters in third quarter 2019 to 53,545 square meters in third quarter 2020. Moreover, the value of new construction projects was recorded at PhP641.88 million in third quarter 2020, posting a decrease of 28.20 percent from Php893.95 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 third quarter 2020.

Among the city/municipalities, the lone city registered the highest number of construction projects with a share of 21.47 percent (73 constructions) to the total approved building permits in La Union in third quarter 2020.  Compared with the number of constructions in the same month a year ago (126 building constructions), it registered a decrease of 42.06 percent.

Other municipalities with high number of construction projects in third quarter 2020 included San Juan with 48 constructions (14.12 percent share), Naguilian with 38 constructions (11.18 percent share) and municipality of Balaoan with 29 constructions (8.53 percent share).

In La Union, the City of San Fernando occupied the top rank in terms of the value of constructions in third quarter 2020 with a share of 17.70 percent (PhP113.62 million) to the provincial total. The municipality of Agoo ranked second with a share of 16.90 percent (PhP108.50 million) and Naguilian ranked third with a share of 11.27 percent (PhP72.27 million).

Similarly, the lone city of the province had the highest value of construction projects among the city/municipalities in the third quarter 2019 contributing 51.72 percent (PhP462.32 million) to the provincial total. Rosario ranked second with a share of 8.56 percent (Php76.50 million) while the municipality of Bauang placed third with a share of 7.82 percent (Php69.93 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