TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Visayas recorded fewer construction projects covered by approved building permits in the second quarter of 2026, even as the average construction cost per square meter rose, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Preliminary figures released by PSA Regional Statistical Services Office VIII on October 23 showed 1,233 approved construction projects from April to June, down by 9.9 percent from 1,369 during the same period in 2025.
Their combined declared value also declined, falling 8.7 percent to ₱3.41 billion from ₱3.73 billion a year earlier. Total floor area decreased by 17.9 percent, from 296,938 to 243,735 square meters.
Together, the figures show a smaller volume of approved construction and reduced planned floor space across the region during the quarter.
Housing remains the largest segment
Residential buildings accounted for 727 constructions, or 59 percent of the regional total. This was 7.5 percent lower than the 786 recorded a year earlier.
Single-type houses dominated residential construction, with 670 projects representing 92.2 percent of the category.
The declared value of residential constructions reached ₱1.26 billion, down 6.5 percent from ₱1.35 billion in the second quarter of 2025. Single-type houses accounted for ₱1.06 billion, or 84.3 percent, of residential construction value.
Non-residential buildings lead in value
While housing accounted for the most approved construction, non-residential buildings accounted for the largest share of declared investment.
The region recorded 365 non-residential constructions, down 7.8 percent from 396 a year earlier. Commercial buildings made up 226 projects, or 61.9 percent of the category.
Despite the decrease in number, the value of non-residential constructions edged up by 0.3 percent to approximately ₱1.99 billion, accounting for 58.5 percent of the region’s total construction value.
Institutional buildings accounted for the largest share in this category, at ₱1.37 billion, or 68.7 percent of the non-residential construction value.
Average cost per square meter increases
The average construction cost reached ₱13,543 per square meter, an increase of 18.4 percent from ₱11,436 in the same quarter of 2025.
Non-residential buildings posted the highest average cost at ₱14,214 per square meter, followed by additions to existing structures at ₱12,891 and residential buildings at ₱12,628.
These averages describe the constructions covered by approved permits during the reporting period. They should not be treated as a uniform building price or, on their own, as proof that material and labor costs increased by the same percentage.
Repairs register a sharp decline
Approved alterations and repairs fell from 95 to 40, a decrease of 57.9 percent. Their declared value dropped by 78.7 percent, from approximately ₱292.91 million to ₱62.37 million.
Additions to existing structures increased from 16 to 23, although their combined value declined by 14.3 percent to ₱51.51 million.
Other constructions—including demolition, street furniture, landscaping and signboards—rose slightly from 76 to 78, while their value decreased by 7.7 percent to ₱39.51 million.
The PSA figures provide a picture of construction covered by approved building permits. They do not specify how many projects were started or completed, nor do they explain the reasons for the decline.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority–Regional Statistical Services Office VIII, Reference No. PR-2026-10-0800-71, released October 23, 2026. Second-quarter 2026 figures are preliminary; comparative 2025 figures are final.