Total number of constructions increased

The number of constructions from approved building permits in Olongapo City, totalled at 24 which denotes an increase of 26.3 percent, or equivalent to 5 constructions in March 2024, compared to March 2023 count of 19 approved constructions. (Figure 1)

By type of construction, out of the 24 approved constructions, 13 are residential buildings, two are non-residential buildings, five additions and four are alteration and repair of existing structures. (Figure 1)

In March 2023, out of the 19 approved constructions, 16 are residential buildings and three are non-residential buildings. (Figure 2)

The 13 residential constructions recorded in Olongapo City are composed of 11 single houses and two apartment buildings. (Table 1)

Meanwhile, the two non-residential constructions are composed of one commercial building and one industrial building. (Table 2)

Reported total floor area of constructions declined

Total floor area of constructions in March 2024 was posted at 3,922 square meters indicating a decrease of 38.6 percent, or equivalent to 2,467 square meters, when compared to the total floor area of approved constructions in March 2023 posted at 6,389 square meters. (Table 3)

Residential constructions recorded 2,740 square meters or about 69.9 percent of the total floor area of approved constructions, while non-residential constructions recorded 751 square meters or about 19.1 percent of the total floor area of constructions in March 2024. (Table 3)

Total value of constructions decreased

In March 2024, the total value of constructions in Olongapo City was PhP 45.8 million which denotes a decrease of 24.8 percent when compared to March 2023’s total value of constructions amounted to PhP 60.3 million. (Figure 3)

Residential building constructions, valued at PhP 32.7 million, counted as the 71.4 percent of the total value. (Table 3)

Average cost of construction increased

The average cost of construction, excluding alteration and repair and other non-residential in March 2024, amounted to PhP 10,906.95 per square meter which indicates an increase of 14.4 percent or PhP 1,370.40, when compared to March 2023 construction average cost of PhP 9,536.54 per square meter. (Table 3)

By types of construction, the average cost of construction for residential buildings was valued at PhP 11,937.60 per square meter, while the average cost of construction for non-residential buildings was valued at PhP 6,709.45 per square meter. (Table 3)  

NORMAN L. BUNDALIAN
Chief Statistical Specialist
PSA Zambales

Definitions of Terms:

Building permit is a written authorization granted by the Local Building Official (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 (PD 1096).

Building refers to 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.

Construction refers to all on-site work done from site preparation, excavation, foundation, assembly of all the components and installation of utilities and equipment of buildings/structures.

Residential buildings are buildings for which its major parts or more than half of its gross floor area is built for dwelling purposes. This type of building can be of the single type, duplex, an apartment and/or accessoria and residential condominium.

Non-residential buildings include these types of buildings: Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and Institutional buildings.

Commercial buildings refer to 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 that 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. school, museums, libraries, sanitaria, churches, hospitals.

Agricultural buildings are buildings used to house livestock, plants and agricultural products such as barns, poultry houses, piggeries, stables, greenhouses and grain mills.

Other non-building constructions include cemetery structures, street furniture, waiting sheds, communication towers, etc.

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.