The number of constructions from approved building permits in March 2025 reached 947. This indicates an annual decrease of -8.1 percent from the 1,031 total number of constructions in the same month of the previous year. The number of constructions in March 2024 increase at annual rate of 6.6 percent. (Table A)

By type of construction, residential buildings reported the highest number with 610 constructions or 64.4 percent of the total number of constructions during the month.  This indicates an annual decrease of -15.4 percent from the same month of the previous year’s level of 721 constructions. Majority of the total residential constructions were single - type houses with 575 (94.3%). (Table A, Figure 1)

Meanwhile, non-residential type of constructions at 202 or 21.3 percent of the total number of constructions during the month. This type of construction decreased during the period at an annual rate of -4.7 percent. Most of the non-residential constructions were commercial buildings with 132 (65.3%) (Figure 1).

Addition, which refers to any new construction that increases the height or area of an existing building, and alteration and repair of existing structures contributed 60.89 percent. Compared with their respective numbers in the same period of the previous year, addition-type of construction posted 35 number during the month while alteration and repair posted an annual increase of 18.9 percent (Table A).

Non- residential buildings recorded the highest value of constructions

In March 2025, the total value of constructions amounted to PhP 3,258,979 million, reflecting an annual increment of 16.3 percent from the PhP 2,803,005 million value of constructions posted in the same month of the previous year. (Table A, Figure 2)

Non- residential building constructions valued at PhP 1,384,877 thousand accounted for 42.5 percent of the total value of constructions during the period. This indicates increase of 4.1 percent from the PhP 1,330,014 thousand construction value of non- residential buildings recorded in the same month of 2024. Among non- residential constructions, commercial buildings had the highest value of constructions at PhP 569,213 thousand (41.1%). (Figure 2)

On the other hand, the construction value of residential buildings amounted to PhP 1,003,728 thousand or 30.8 percent of the total construction value in March 2025. This reflects decrement of -27.1 percent from the PhP 1,376,745 million value of constructions of residential buildings reported in the same month of the previous year. 

In March 2025, the value of constructions for addition to, and alteration and repair to existing structures were recorded at PhP 9,053 thousand (0.3%) and PhP 265,610 thousand (8.2%), respectively. Compared with their respective values in the same month of the previous year, alteration and repair posted an annual increase of 18.9 percent from an annual growth rate of -43.5 percent.

In March 2025, the value of constructions for addition to, and alteration and repair to existing structures were recorded at PhP 9,053 thousand (0.3%) and PhP 265,610 thousand (8.2%), respectively. Compared with their respective values in the same month of the previous year, alteration and repair posted an annual increase of 18.9 percent from an annual growth rate of -43.5 percent. 

Non- residential buildings recorded highest total floor area 

The total floor area of constructions for this month was recorded at 283,285 thousand square meters. This corresponds to an annual decrease of -8.8 percent from the recorded 310,513 thousand square meter floor area in the same period of the previous year.  (Table A, Figure 3)

Non- residential constructions posted 198,725 thousand square meters or 70.2 percent of the total floor area of constructions this period. This reflects an annual increment of 13.7 percent from the floor area of 174,824 thousand square meters in the same month of 2024.

Meanwhile, residential constructions recorded 83,513 thousand square meters or 29.5 percent of the total floor area of constructions in March 2025. It decreased at an annual rate of -37.4 percent from the previous year’s same month floor area of 133,306 thousand square meters.

Residential buildings had the highest average cost of constructions

The average cost of construction in March 2025, excluding those for alteration and repair, and other non-residential was recorded at PhP 10,490.75 per square meter. This was 21.2 percent higher than the average cost of PhP 8,653.14 per square meter in 2024 (Table A).

By type of construction, residential buildings had the highest average cost of PhP 12,018.83 per square meter during the month. This was followed by addition to existing constructions with PhP 8,646.76 per square meter, and non-residential constructions with PhP 6,860.63 per square meter. 

Among residential constructions, duplex/quadruplex building posted the highest average cost of PhP 13,779.10 per square meter during the period, while other residential recorded the lowest average cost of PhP 7,239 per square meter. (Figure 4A)

Across non- residential constructions, commercial building reported the highest average cost of PhP 10,206.25 per square meter. On the other hand, agricultural building registered the lowest average cost of PhP 3,748.39 per square meter. (Figure 4B)