Guimaras’ Construction declines by 15.49% in 2023 Q1 

The total number of constructions from approved building permits in Guimaras during the First Quarter (Q1) of 2023 reached 60, showing an annual decrease of 15.49 percent brought about by the drop in residential construction, as disclosed by the Philippine Statistics (PSA). (Table 1)

Residential got the lowest number of approved building permits

 By type of construction, the number of residential buildings reported the lowest constructions of 23 or 38.33 percent of the provincial total number of constructions in Q1 2023, which dropped by 34.29 percent from 35 reported during the same period a year ago, that were all single-type houses. (Figure 1, and Table 1) 

Non-residential constructions recorded 36, accounting for 60 percent of the total constructions in Q1 2023, showing a slight increase of 2.86 percent change, while the majority (69.44%) of the total non-residential constructions were commercial buildings. (Figure 2, and Table 1)

 Figure 1. Number of Residential and Non-Residential Constructions from Approved Building Permits by Type, Guimaras; First Quarter 2023

Moreover, the addition to the existing structure shared 1.67 percent of the total constructions posted at the same levels for the first quarters of 2023 and 2022. 

There was no record of alteration or repair construction in either reference period. (Table 1).

Value of Construction 

The total value of constructions in Guimaras was PhP68.35 million, which was lower by 18.87 percent compared to the PhP84.25 million recorded during the 1st quarter of 2022. (Table 1) 

Residential constructions valued at PhP42.78 million decreased by 1.93 percent from PhP43.62 million recorded during the same quarter of 2022. The construction value of residential single-type houses was PhP42.78 million. (Figure 2, and Table 1) 

The non-residential buildings valued at PhP25.50 million decreased by 35.79 percent, compared to the PhP39.71 million recorded during the previous year’s first quarter, while commercial buildings valued at PhP15.38 million among non-residential constructions. (Figure 2, and Table 1)

Figure 2. Value of Constructions from Approved Building Permits by Type, Guimaras; First Quarter 2023

On the other hand, the value of the addition-type construction was PhP75 thousand in the first quarter of 2023, significantly declining by 91.81 percent compared to PhP920 thousand recorded during the 1st quarter of 2022. (Table 1)

Floor Area 

During the first quarter of 2023, 8.46 thousand square meters of building construction were issued building permits for the first quarter of 2023, translating to a decrease of 13.86 percent from the 2022 total floor area of construction, which was 9.82 thousand square meters. (Table 1) 

Residential construction recorded 3.81 thousand square meters or 45.05 percent of the provincial total floor area in Q1 2023, reflecting a decline of 18.52% compared with the 4.68 thousand square meters in Q1 2022. The floor area in residential single-type houses was 3.81 thousand sqm. (Figure 3, and Table 1)

Non-residential constructions recorded 4.58 thousand square meters or 54.10 percent of the total floor area of constructions in Q1 2023, reflecting a decrement of 9.01 percent compared with the previous year’s same quarter with 5.03 thousand square meters. Commercial buildings have the largest floor area of 2.72 sq.m. or 59.51% of the total non-residential construction. (Figure 3, and Table 1) 

Furthermore, the floor area of additional structures constructed among existing structures was 72 square meters or 0.85 percent of the provincial total floor area in Q1 2023. This translates to a drop of 36.84 percent compared to the 2022 first quarter with 114 square meters.

Figure 3. Total Floor Area of Constructions from Approved Building Permits by Type, Guimaras; First Quarter 2023

Average Cost Per Square Meter 

The average construction cost in the first quarter of 2023, excluding those for alteration and repair, was PhP8,079.25 per square meter lower than the PhP8,578.35 average cost per square meter recorded in Q1 2022. 

Among types of construction, residential buildings had the highest average cost of PhP11,224.86 per square meter in Q1 2023. It was followed by non-residential with PhP5,570.71 per square meter. The addition-type posted an average cost of PhP1,046.54 per square meter in Q1 2023. (Table 1)

 Single-house construction was valued at PhP11,224.86 per square meter in Q1 2023, while commercial-type buildings were the priciest among non-residential constructions at PhP5,646.49 per square meter in Q1 2023.

Figure 4. Average Cost Per Square Meter of Constructions by Type, Guimaras Q1 2022 2023

Technical Notes 

Scope and Coverage 

Construction statistics from approved building permits relate to administrative-based data on new constructions and additions, alterations and repairs of existing residential and non residential buildings and other structures proposed to be constructed in all cities and municipalities of the country in a specific period.

Sources of Information 

Construction statistics are compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority from the copies of original application forms of approved building permits as well as from the demolition and fencing permits collected every month by PSA field personnel from the Offices of Local Building Officials (LBOs) nationwide. 

Limitations 

1. Data on building constructions refer to those approved applications 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 approval of applications filed with the LBOs. Hence, private building constructions without approved building permits are excluded in the tabulation of data.

Geographic Classification 

Building constructions are classified and presented by geographic area using the Philippine Standard Geographic Classification (PSGC) as of December 2014. The PSGC contains the latest updates on the official number of regions, provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays in the Philippines.

 Industry Classification 

Construction statistics utilizes the 2009 Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) to identify the industrial classification of the structure proposed for construction through its use or character of occupancy.

Statistics Generated 

Construction statistics generated from approved building permits provide monthly administrative-based data on building construction at the municipality level nationwide. Statistics generated are the following: 

• number 

• floor area 

• type of construction

 • value of construction

Definition of Terms (Adopted from the Revised and Updated IRR of the National Building Code)

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 (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, machineries and equipment of buildings/structures.

Residential building- is a building 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. 

Single house is a complete structure intended for a single family or household, i.e. bungalow, 2-storey house, nipa hut. 

Duplex house -is a structure intended for two households, with complete living facilities for each; it is a single structure divided into two dwelling units by a wall extending from the floor to the ceiling.

Non-residential building- includes 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 all buildings 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 primarily engaged in providing educational instructions and hospital/health care; ports, airports and other government buildings; i.e. school, museums, libraries, sanitaria, churches, hospitals. 

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.