The total number of new non-residential building constructions from approved building permits in 2023 was recorded at 389, reflecting a decrease of 54.40 percent from 853 constructions a year ago.

The total floor area occupied for the new construction projects also decreased by 45.97 percent from 488,427 square meters in 2022 to 263,887 square meters in 2023. Moreover, the value of new construction projects was recorded at PhP3,429.70 million in 2023, posting a decrease of 37.82 percent from PhP5,515.81 million a year ago.

Commercial-type building constructions posted the biggest proportion of nonresidential constructions with 77.38 percent (301 construction projects) of the total nonresidential constructions. The total value of constructions for this type was estimated at PhP2,372.75 million covering a floor area of 161,593 square meters or an average cost of PhP14,683.48 per square meter.

Institutional buildings distantly followed with 9.77 percent share (38 constructions) to the total non-residential constructions. Total value for this construction was estimated at PhP809.40 million with a total floor area of 49,382 square meters or an average cost of PhP16,390.67 per square meter.

Industrial buildings ranked third with 6.68 percent share (26 constructions) to the total non-residential constructions. Total value for industrial buildings was estimated at PhP197.06 million with a total floor area of 22,036 square meters or an average cost of PhP8,942.41 per square meter.

Agricultural buildings ranked fourth with 4.11 percent share (16 constructions) to the total non-residential constructions. Total value for industrial buildings was estimated at PhP46.21 million with a total floor area of 30,876 square meters or an average cost of PhP1,496.70 per square meter.

In La Union, the City of San Fernando occupied the top rank in terms of the number of non-residential constructions in 2023 with a share of 21.59 percent 
(84 constructions) to the provincial total. The municipalities of Agoo and Naguilian ranked second both with a share of 10.28 percent each (40 constructions) while Bacnotan ranked third with a share of 10.03 percent (39 constructions).

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 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.

Non-Residential Building includes commercial, industrial, agricultural and institutional buildings.

Commercial Building includes office buildings and all buildings which are intended for use primarily in wholesale, retail and service trades; i.e. stores, hotels, restaurants, banks, disco houses, etc.

Industrial Buildings are buildings which are used to house the production, assembly and warehousing activities of industrial establishments; i.e. factories, plants, mills, repair shops, machine shops, printing press, storage plant, electric generating plants.

Institutional Buildings are buildings which are primarily engaged in providing educational instructions and hospital/health care; ports, airports and other government buildings; i.e. schools, museums, libraries, sanitaria, churches, hospitals.

Agricultural Buildings are buildings which are used to house livestock, plants and agricultural products such as barn, poultry house, piggeries, stables, greenhouses and grain mill.

Other Non-Building Constructions include cemetery structures, street furniture, waiting sheds, communication towers, etc.

Addition refers to any new construction which increases the height or area of an existing building/structure.

Alteration refers to construction in a structure involving changes in the materials used, partitioning, location/size of openings, structural parts, existing utilities and equipment but does not increase the overall area thereof.

Repair refers to remedial work done on any damaged or deteriorated portion/s of a structure to restore its original condition.

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