The total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in 3^rd quarter of 2023 was recorded at 517, reflecting a decrease of 0.77 percent from 521 construction projects in the same quarter last year.

In contrast, the total floor area of the new construction projects increased by 47.02 percent from 167,318 square meters in 3^rd quarter of 2022 to 245,992 square meters in 3^rd quarter of 2023. The value of the new construction projects also went up by 7.21 percent from PhP2,486.41 million in 3^rd quarter of 2022 to PhP2,665.58 million in 3^rd quarter of 2023.

By type of construction, residential buildings accounted the highest share (80.24%) in terms of value in 3^rd quarter of 2023. The value of constructing residential buildings increased by 209.06 percent with an estimated value of PhP2,138.96 million from PhP692.09 million in 3^rd quarter of last year.

On the other hand, the value of constructing non-residential buildings decreased by 70.57 percent in 3^rd quarter of 2023 amounting to PhP526.62million from PhP1,789.47 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 3^rd quarter of 2023.

Among the city/municipalities, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of construction projects with a share of 23.40 percent (121 constructions) to the total approved building permits in La Union in 3^rd quarter of 2023.  Compared with the number of constructions in the same quarter a year ago (99 building constructions), it registered an increase of 22.22 percent.

Second in rank in terms of number of construction projects in the 3^rd quarter of 2023 was Bacnotan with 60 constructions (11.61 percent share), while third in rank was Naguilian with 54 constructions (10.44 percent share).

In La Union, the City of San Fernando also had the top rank in terms of the value of new constructions in 3^rd quarter of 2023 with a share of 63.36 percent 
(PhP1,668.83 million) to the provincial total. Rosario distantly ranked second with a share of 6.84 percent (PhP182.24 million) while San Juan ranked third with a share of 6.16 percent (PhP164.27 million).

Meanwhile, in 3^rd quarter of 2022, the Municipality of Bacnotan had the highest value of construction projects among the city/municipalities contributing 43.47 percent (PhP1,080.87 million) to the provincial total. The City of San Fernando ranked second with a share of 22.36 percent (Php555.96 million) while Sto. Tomas placed third with a share of 6.34 percent (PhP157.73 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