Total number of constructions decreased

The number of constructions from approved building permits in Zambales, excluding Olongapo City, totalled at 70 which denotes a decrease of 39.7 percent, or equivalent to 46 constructions in March 2024, compared to March 2023 count of 116 approved constructions. (Figure 1)

By type of construction, out of the 70 approved constructions, 52 are residential buildings, 16 are non-residential buildings and two addition and one alteration and repair of existing structures. (Figure 1)

In March 2023, out of the 116 approved constructions, 68 are residential buildings, 43 are non-residential buildings, four are alteration and repair of existing structures and one addition. (Figure 2) 
 

The 52 residential constructions recorded in Zambales are composed of 43 single houses, five duplex/quadruplex houses and four apartment buildings. (Table 1)

Meanwhile, the 16 non-residential constructions are composed of 15 commercial buildings and one industrial building. (Table 2)

Reported total floor area of constructions declined

Total floor area of constructions in March 2024 was posted at 12,111 square meters indicating a decrease of 75.4 percent, or equivalent to 37,122 square meters, when compared to the total floor area of approved constructions in March 2023 posted at 49,233 square meters. (Table 3)

Residential constructions recorded 8,517 square meters or about 70.3 percent of the total floor area of constructions, while non-residential constructions recorded 3,594 square meters or about 29.7 percent of the total floor area of constructions in March 2024. (Table 3)

Total value of constructions diminished

In March 2024, the total value of constructions in Zambales was PhP 128.3 million which denotes a decrease of 98.0 percent when compared to March 2023’s total value of constructions amounted to PhP 6.5 billion. (Figure 3)

Residential building constructions, valued at PhP 93 million, counted as the 72.5 percent of the total value. (Table 3)

Average cost of construction declined

The average cost of construction, excluding alteration and repair and other non-residential in March 2024, amounted to PhP 10,517.43 per square meter which indicates a decrease of 92.0 percent or PhP 121,590.30, when compared to March 2023 construction average cost of PhP 132,107.72 per square meter. (Table 3)

By types of construction, the average cost of construction for residential buildings was valued at PhP 10,914.00 per square meter, while the average cost of construction for non-residential buildings was valued at PhP 9,577.63 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.