Total number of constructions increased

The number of constructions from approved building permits in Olongapo City reached 31 which reflects an annual increase of 20.6 percent, or equivalent to 7 constructions in March 2025, compared to March 2024 count of 24 approved constructions.

By type of construction, out of the 31 approved constructions, 13 are residential buildings, four are non-residential buildings, 5 additions, eight alterations and repairs, and one other construction.

In March 2024, out of the 21 approved constructions, 13 are residential buildings, two are non-residential buildings, five additions, and five alterations and repairs.

The 13 residential constructions recorded in Olongapo City are composed of eight single houses, two duplex buildings and three apartment buildings.

Meanwhile, the were four non-residential constructions recorded in March 2025.

Reported total floor area of construction decreased

Total floor area of construction in March 2025 was posted at 3,484 square meters indicating an annual decrease of 11.2 percent, or equivalent to 438 square meters, when compared to the total floor area of approved constructions in March 2024 posted at 3,922 square meters.

Residential constructions recorded 2,241 square meters or about 64.3 percent of the total floor area of approved constructions, while non-residential constructions recorded 890 square meters or about 25.6 percent of the total floor area of constructions in March 2025.

Total value of construction increased

In March 2025, the total value of construction in Olongapo City was PhP 54.27 million which denotes an annual increase of 18.5 percent when compared to the total value of construction amounted to PhP 45.80 million in March 2024.

Non-residential construction reported a value of PhP13.33 million, accounting for 24.57 percent of the total construction value.

Average cost of construction dropped

The average cost of construction in March 2025 was recorded at PhP 12,651.55 per square meter. This was 16.0 percent higher than the average cost of PhP 10,906.94 per square meter in March 2024. Alteration and repair, other non-residential such as facade, helipad, niche, water tank, etc., and other constructions, which include demolition, street furniture, landscaping, and signboards, were excluded in the average cost of construction since there is no reported floor area for these types of construction. (See Table 3)

By type of construction, the average cost of construction for residential buildings was valued at PhP 11,923.25 per square meter, while the average cost of construction for non-residential buildings was valued at PhP 14,979.78 per square meter.  

NORMAN L. BUNDALIAN
Chief Statistical Specialist

CONCEPTS AND 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.

Other residential construction consists of school or company staff houses, living quarters for drivers and maids, and guardhouses.

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.

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

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

Renovation is any physical change made on structures to increase their value and quality.

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

Conversion is a change in the use or occupancy of structure or any portion thereof, which has different requirements.

Demolitions refer to the systematic dismantling or destruction of a building / structure, in whole or in part.

Street furniture are street structures consisting of monuments, waiting sheds, benches, plant boxes, lampposts, electric poles, and telephone poles.

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.