Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

New Construction Projects In Aklan 

Grow By 66.3% In 2012

According to the report of Mr. Blas M. Solidum, provincial statistics officer of the National Statistics Office, Kalibo, the total number of new construction projects from approved building permits in Aklan reached 547 in 2012. It increased by 66.3 percent compared to the 329 only in 2011. 

The first quarter of 2012 had the highest number of buildings constructed with 187, followed by the second quarter with 138. Compared to the 2011, the 3rd quarter registered the highest construction of 92, while the 4th quarter has the lowest with only 75.

The residential-type building projects rose by 60.6 percent or 334 in 2012 against 208 in 2011. On the other hand, non-residential constructions increased by 22.3 percent from 121 in 2011 to 148 in 2012.

The total value of construction projects in Aklan for 2012 reached P1.8 billion. There is increased by about three times the amount reported in 2011 at P646.3 million only. 

The value of construction for new residential buildings almost doubled amounting to P458.6 million from P305.3 million in 2011, while the value of construction for new non-residential building constructions soared about four times from P341.0 million in 2011 to P1.2 billion in 2012. 

A total floor area of 50,754 square meters, of residential buildings, the average cost of construction in 2012 amounted to P9,035 per square meter. This is a valid basis in costing for those who will construct a building this year.

According to Solidum, statistics generated from approved building permits are the bases of estimating the level of construction activity in the computation of the national income accounts and indicators on the level of investments in the Philippines.

The construction statistics are compiled by NSO-Aklan from copies of original application forms of approved building permits as well as from the demolition permits collected every month by NSO from the offices of Local Building Officials in every municipality of Aklan.

How about those buildings constructed without building permits? How much does it cost per square meter to construct? 

While the NSO has the figure of the cost of building construction, the data are taken from the cost estimates of the architects who prepared the building plan. But there are changes done while in the process of construction. 

NSO, if feasible, may visit a newly constructed building, get the actual cost of construction and compare it with the cost estimate. How much is the variance? 

If it is in its mandates, NSO may compare the materials proposed for the construction with the materials actually used in the construction. There might be significant difference between the materials and its costing and the materials actually used in the construction. 

Its reports on the matter will be good basis for real estate assessor in the determination of the real estate tax for the municipality to collect annually. 

Erap’s Last Hurrah

Graft-tainted Joseph “Erap” Estrada, former Philippine president launched his campaign for Mayor of Manila. He admitted this is his last hurrah in politics. 

A movie actor, turned 76 years old on April 19, Erap wishes to end his political career as Mayor of Manila, his birth place in whose sprawling slums he remains popular. Erap wants to clean Manila and to put its affairs in order before he retires. He wishes to stop the rising criminality and end alleged corruption at the City Hall.

Can he do it? Let us watch. But Mayor Alfredo Lim is equally strong and colorful opponent, known as “Dirty Harry”. Lim has led a high profile against illegal drugs and Manila’s strip bars.

The rivalry between Lim and Estrada deserves a close watch. /MP