Total number of constructions increased

The number of constructions from approved building permits in Zambales reached 77 which reflects an annual decline of 10 percent, or equivalent to 7 constructions in March 2025, compared to March 2024 count of 70 approved constructions.

By type of construction, out of the 77 approved constructions, 38 are residential buildings, 12 are non-residential buildings, two additions, three alterations and repairs, and 22 other constructions.

In March 2024, out of the 70 approved constructions, 52 are residential buildings, 16 are non-residential buildings, two alterations and repairs, and two street furniture and others.

The 38 residential constructions recorded in Zambales are composed of 35 single houses and three apartment buildings.

Meanwhile, the were 12 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 11,966 square meters indicating a decrease of 1.2 percent, or equivalent to 145 square meters, when compared to the total floor area of approved construction in March 2024 posted at 12,111 square meters.

Residential constructions recorded 6,850 square meters or about 57.2 percent of the total floor area of approved constructions, while non-residential constructions recorded 4,600 square meters or about 38.4 percent of the total floor area of constructions in March 2025.

Total value of constructions increased

In March 2025, the total value of construction in Zambales was PhP 326.45 million which denotes an increase of 154.5 percent when compared to the total value of construction amounted to PhP 128.27 million in March 2024.

Other constructions, which include demolition, street furniture, landscaping, and signboards registered the highest value of constructions at PhP 204.78 million or 62.6 percent of the total value.

Average cost of construction dropped

The average cost of construction in March 2025 was recorded at PhP 9,583.15 per square meter. This was 8.9 percent lower than the average cost of PhP 10,517.46 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 10,298.98 per square meter, while the average cost of construction for non-residential buildings was valued at PhP 6,765.65 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.