CEBU CITY -- The construction industry in Central Visayas seems poised for robust growth next year as it ranks second in the top five regions with the highest number of construction projects, with Cebu province placing third at the provincial level, the Construction Statistics from Approved Building Permits 2018 third quarter report revealed.
According to the report posted on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) website, Central Visayas has posted a 13.8-percent share of the 42, 111 total number of constructions nationwide as recorded in the third quarter of 2018 list of approved building permits.
The figures revealed that Central Visayas had 5,815 construction undertakings from July to September this year.
Calabarzon bested other regions with a total of 10,752 constructions, or 25.5 percent of the aggregate number of constructions in the entire country.
Ranking third is Central Luzon with 4,749 or 11.3 percent of 42,111 construction activities. The National Capital Region (NCR) and Western Visayas rank fourth and fifth, respectively, with the former constructing 3,331 structures (7.9 percent) and the latter, 2,913 constructions (6.9 percent), the third quarter of 2018 record showed.
At the provincial level, Central Visayas sent three provinces to the top 10 provinces with the highest number of constructions based on approved building permits in the country.
Cebu is listed in the third rank with 2,432 construction activities or 5.8 percent of the total number of constructions nationwide, the record also showed.
Negros Oriental and Bohol place seventh and eighth, respectively. Negros Oriental has 1,689 (4.0 percent), while Bohol has 1,638 constructions (3.9 percent).
Cavite landed in the top one with 4,367 construction projects or 10.4 percent of the entire number of projects in the country, followed by Batangas with 2,677 constructions or 6.4 percent.
After Cebu, the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, and 4th District of NCR placed fourth (1,953 or 4.6 percent), fifth (1,750 or 4.2 percent), and sixth (1,690 or 4 percent).
After Bohol, the provinces of Iloilo and Pampanga tailed in the top nine and 10, respectively, with the former recording 1,638 (3.9 percent), and the latter, 1,291 (3.1. percent) constructions projects.
The construction statistical report signed by Director Rosalinda Bautista of the Sectoral Statistics Office of the PSA, two of Central Visayas provinces landed in the top 10 provinces in terms of the number of construction projects.
The report further revealed that the 42, 111 total number of the country’s construction undertakings from July to September this year is higher by 6,035 compared to the 36,076 constructions over the same period last year.
However, the report said that although the NCR ranks fourth, this region occupied the top slot in terms of total cost of all construction projects, which is estimated at PHP29.3 billion or 28 percent of the total value of PHP104.8 billion, with Central Visayas ranking third with a total value of PHP15.8 billion, tagging behind Calabarzon with PHP20.8 billion in the third quarter of this year.
Next to Central Visayas is Central Luzon with PHP9.2 billion and Davao Region with PHP6.8 billion.
The period’s combined shares of the top five regions in terms of value of construction reached PHP82 billion, comprising 78.2 percent of the total value of PHP104.8 billion.
“The number of residential building constructions reached 30,638 or 16.8 percent increment from the 26,227 projects reported during the same period of 2017,” the report further revealed.
It said that all types of residential constructions, except for duplex or quadruplex and other residential project, recorded a two-digit increase in the number with residential condominiums posted 80.8 percent, apartment with 29.9 percent, and single-type houses with 15.3 percent.
Meanwhile, non-residential constructions posted 14.4 percent increase, from 5,231 to 5,983 projects recorded during the same period of 2017.
“The growth was brought about by the increase in number of constructions of the following: institutional building with 1,330 (37.8 percent), commercial buildings with 3,630 (13.9 percent), and agricultural buildings with 249 (7.8 percent),” it also said.
According to Central Cebu Board of Realtors chairperson Abundio Gultiano Jr., the construction industry is considered as a major economic driver in Central Visayas.
“The figures speak. When the construction industry is booming, it means that we have a vigorous economy in the region. The real estate industry in Region 7 [Central Visayas] is a booming industry,” Gultiano said.
Cebu Customs Collector Elvira Cruz said seven of the top 20 importers in terms of duties and taxes paid to the government through the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are industries related to construction.
The list submitted by BOC-Cebu Cash Division chief Conrado Abarintos revealed that SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp., a leading construction steel manufacturer in the region, landed second in the list of importers with the highest total duties and taxes paid in 2018, next to Seaoil Philippines, Inc.
Other construction steel manufacturers – Joyland Industries Corp. in Mandaue City and Chioson Development Corp. -- ranked fifth and 10th, respectively, in the top-paying importers in the Port of Cebu.
The two cement factories – Apo Cement Corp. and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines – have also landed in the top 20, placing 17th and 18th, according to the list provided by Abarintos to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Cebu Oversea Hardware Company, Inc. is the only hardware store on the list of top-paying importers in the Cebu port, placing 11th after Chioson.
Paint manufacturing company, Treasure Island Industrial Corp., placed in the 20th. (PNA)
