Introduction

The final data series on construction statistics from approved building permits for the year 2008 is presented in this Special Release.

The final data set provides updates to the 2008 Quarterly Special Releases on construction statistics. The sources of updates are additional approved building permits collected after cut-off dates because of data collection constraints. These additional documents were not yet available for inclusion in the tabulation of data on designated target dates.

The completeness of the number of building permits collected relies on the applications filed and approved by the Local Building Officials (LBOs) in all cities and municipalities nationwide. Building constructions without approved building permits are not included in the statistics presented in this report.

Summary of Results

1. The total approved building permits for the year 2008 which was recorded at 106,076, was 11.7 percent higher compared with 94,961 approved building permits reported during the year 2007.
    
2. Aggregate value of construction estimated at Php143.8 billion in 2008 increased by 15.1 percent from the Php124.9 billion recorded in 2007.
    
3. Total floor area for approved building permits for 2008 was estimated at 17.4 million square meters. The average cost per square meter of Php8,279 was slightly higher by 3.3 percent compared to the average cost per square meter of Php8,013 in 2007.
    
4. The total approved building permits nationwide for the year 2008 were broken down by type of construction as follows:
   • Residential building construction reached 79,064 or 74.5 percent of the total approved building permits.
      
   • Non-residential building construction with a total of 11,850 accounted for 11.2 percent of the total.
      
   • Combined approved building permits for additions, alterations and repairs summed up to 15,162 representing 14.3 percent of the total.

5. The aggregate value of construction during the year 2008 reached Php143.8 billion, broken down by type of construction as follows:
   • Residential building construction accounted for more than half (52.1%) of the total value of construction worth Php74.9 billion.
      
   • Non-residential building construction was valued at Php55.9 billion or 38.9 percent of total value of construction.
      
   • Additions, alterations and repairs accounted for a combined value of Php12.9 billion or 9.0 percent of total value of construction.

6. At the regional level, Region IVA (CALABARZON) accounted for the highest number of approved building permits with 28,046 applications or 26.4 percent of the total in 2008. National Capital Region and Region III (Central Luzon) followed with respective shares of 14.1 percent or 14,925 approved building permits and 12.1 percent or 12,834 approved building permits.
    
7. Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao reported the least number of approved building permits with only 79 for the year 2008. Only the province of Sulu have no reported approved building permits for 2008.
    

Source:   National Statistics Office
                 Manila, Philippines