As builders who’ve done construction on several highly-urbanized parts of the metro, we were curious how the process of acquiring a Building Permit takes place in other parts of the country – especially those with notable eco-tourism sites such as the city of Puerto Princesa in the province of Palawan, Philippines. Does it require more? Or less?

To find out, we offered a visit to the Office of the Building Official in the New City Hall Building of Puerto Princesa. Here are the requirements we discovered:

1. Barangay Clearance of the proposed project
2. In case the applicant is the registered lot owner, provide 3 copies each of the following:
   • Certified True Copt of OCT/TCT by the City Register of Deeds
   • Tax Declaration certified by the City Assessor’s Office
   • Current Real Property Tax Certification from the City Treasurer’s Office
3. 2. In case the applicant is not the registered owner, provide 3 copies each of the following:
   • Notarized written consent from lot owner/Lease Contract/Deed of Absolute Sale
   • Photocopy of 2a, 2b, and 2c
4. In the absence of any existing Certificate of Title in the name of the applicant, provide 3 copies each of the following:
   • Certification from the CENRO-DENR regarding the present status of the land to the effect that the applicant is the owner/claimant of the property
   • Photocopy of 2b and 2c
5. 4 sets of building documents signed and sealed by designed professionals
   • Architectural Plans (Architect)
   • Civil/Structural Plans (Civil Engineer)
   • Plumbing/Sanitary Plans (Sanitary Engineer/Plumber)
   • Electrical Plans (Professional Electrical Engineer)
   • Mechanical Plans (Professional Mechanical Engineers)
   • Electronics Plans (Electronics Communications Engineer)
   • Geodetic Documents
   • Building Project Specifications
   • Structural Design and Analysis (above 20m2 floor area)
   • Boring Test (3-floors up)
   • Fire Protection Plan (if applicable)
6. Updated Relocation Survey Plan prepared by Geodetic Engineer for Fencing Permit and Firewall Construction
7. 4 copies of the estimated value of the building structure to be erected as declared by the owner or applicant and duly notarized
8. Photocopies of valid licenses of all involved professionals (professional tax receipt & PRC identification card)
9. For applications filed by an authorized representative: Sworn Special Power of Attorney for the representative to file/follow up application, and to claim decision on the application
10. Logbook
11. Other additional documents as may be needed

Based on the list above, the city of Puerto Princesa actually has fewer generally required documents to process a Building Permit. Note, however, that the office of the Building Official may ask for more documents under the category “Other additional documents as may be needed.”

Check out these documents below for more information on how to secure a Building Permit in the city of Puerto Princesa, province of Palawan, Philippines:

Puerto Princesa Building Permit Application Checklist
 https://kaothu.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Puerto-Princesa-Building-Permit-Application-Checklist.pdf

Puerto Princesa Building Permit Application Form
 https://kaothu.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Puerto-Princesa-Building-Permit-Application-Form.pdf