The total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in 1^st quarter 2022 was recorded at 608, reflecting a decrease of 65.98 percent from 1,787 constructions in same quarter last year.

The total floor area occupied for the new construction projects increased by 67.70 percent from 83,048 square meters in 1^st quarter 2021 to 139,272 square meters in 1^st quarter 2022. Moreover, the value of new construction projects was recorded at PhP1,308.65 million in 1^st quarter 2022, posting an increase of 39.45 percent from PhP938.45million in the same quarter a year ago.

By type of construction, residential buildings accounted the highest share (53.41%) in terms of value in 1^st quarter 2022. The cost of constructing residential buildings increased by 10.00 percent with an estimated value of PhP698.95 million from PhP635.38 million in 1^st quarter of last year.

Moreover, the value of constructing non-residential buildings also increased by 119.40 percent in 1^st quarter 2022 amounting to PhP607.47million from PhP276.88 million in same quarter a year ago.

On the other hand, the value of addition, repair, renovation and demolition of existing buildings decreased to PhP2.23 million in 1^st quarter of 2022 from PhP26.19 million in the same period of last year, posting a decrease of 91.48 percent.

The figure above shows the distribution of approved building permits by city/municipality in La Union in 1^st quarter 2022.

Among the city/municipalities, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of construction projects with a share of 20.89 percent (127 constructions) to the total approved building permits in La Union in 1^st quarter 2022.  Compared with the number of constructions in the same quarter a year ago (105 building constructions), it registered an increase of 20.95 percent.

Other municipalities with high number of construction projects in 1^st quarter 2022 included Naguilian with 75 constructions (12.34 percent share), Bacnotan with 55 constructions (9.05 percent share) and Agoo with 54 constructions (8.88 percent share).

In La Union, the City of San Fernando occupied the top rank in terms of the value of new constructions in 1^st quarter 2022 with a share of 38.69 percent (PhP506.34 million) to the provincial total. The municipality of Naguilian ranked second with a share of 14.85 percent (PhP194.37 million) while Bauang ranked third with a share of 10.13 percent (PhP132.61 million).

Moreover, the City of San Fernando also had the highest value of construction projects among the city/municipalities in 1^st quarter 2021 contributing 22.43 percent (PhP210.51 million) to the provincial total. Municipality of Bacnotan ranked second with a share of 18.50 percent (Php173.66 million) while San Juan placed third with a share of 12.29 percent (PhP115.33 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

/KJGH