March 2, 2026 – Majority of structures in Baguio City remain without building permits, according to the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO).
CBAO records show that out of 83,335 total structures documented in the city, 61,645 or 74 percent do not have building permits. Only 21,690 structures, equivalent to 26 percent, were found to have secured the required permits.
The data form part of the city’s ongoing inventory and validation of buildings across barangays. Of the 128 barangays, 105 or 82 percent have completed the census, while 23 barangays or 18 percent are still undergoing updating of details, plotting and verification.
CBAO Asst. Department Head Engr. Stephen Capuyan identified three main reasons why some building owners fail to secure or complete their building permit applications.
These include the cost of building plans and professional fees, land ownership issues, and encroachments.
He noted that about 74 percent of lots in the city remain untitled, making it difficult for owners to process permits.
In addition, many structures do not comply with setback or easement requirements—specifically the two-meter distance from roads and three-meter distance from creeks—resulting in further complications.
Capuyan and Vittorio Jerico Cawis said the City Government is implementing measures to assist residents. Barangays are being encouraged to designate their own engineers and other professionals to help reduce the cost of preparing building plans. The City will also help fund land surveys and is coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to address titling concerns and speed up the processing of land titles.
City officials reiterated the importance of securing building permits to ensure compliance with safety, zoning, and environmental regulations. The ongoing assessment aims to help the city government strengthen enforcement, promote responsible construction, and improve urban planning.
Because of this, the city’s land titling program will continue, and structure owners are encouraged to apply for building permits whether their properties are titled or not.
For titled lots, applications may be processed immediately upon submission of complete requirements. For untitled or unregistered lots, applicants may still submit the same requirements, but their applications will be archived until the land titling process is completed.
Building owners may also apply online by filling out the form available at: https://tinyurl.com/4jwcz2fj. **Aileen P. Refuerzo
