According to the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD1096) section 301: “No person,

firm or corporation, including any agency or instrumentality of the government shall construct, alter,
repair, convert, use, occupy, move, demolish and add any building/structure or any portion thereof or
cause the same to be done. The prescribed application for building permit form (NBC Form B-01) shall
be used by all applicants.” Applying for a building permit is a must when constructing buildings.

But, Baguio City has a process which may be different from the processing of other places in the
Philippines. In that light, the class was instructed to interview people about the building permit.

After one completes all the documents: Plans, Specifications, Estimates and Others to process a
building permit.

Before processing a building permit, the following certificates are needed:

 Environmental Compliance Certificate/ Certificate of Non-Coverage

(Environmental Management Bureau, DENR Compound, Pacdal)
o Environmental Compliance Certificate
 “An ECC is a document issued by DENR/EMB after a positive review of
the ECC application, certifying that based on the representations of the
proponent, the proposed project or undertaking will not cause significant
negative environmental impact. The ECC contains specific measures and
conditions that the project proponent has to undertake before and during
the operation of the project, and in some cases, during the project’s
abandonment phase to mitigate identified environmental impacts. The
ECC also certifies that the proponent has complied with all the
requirements of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) System and
has committed to implement its approved Environmental Management
Plan.” –DENR Website
 An Environmental Compliance Certificate is needed when a building is
more than 4 floors and commercial buildings. They will asses how this
building will contribute to pollution and how to fix that. They have to
turn in reports monthly.
o Certificate of Non-Coverage
 In cases a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) is to be secured for the
perusal of other government agencies and/or organizations, the above-
mentioned requirements may be submitted to the EMB or its Regional
Offices. The CNC is issued by the EMB certifying that, based on the
submitted project description; the project is not covered by the EIS
system and is not required to secure an ECC.
 A Certificate of Non-Coverage focuses more on residential buildings.
o It will take at least a month to get these certificates.

 Zoning Compliance Certificate

(Planning and Development Office, City Hall)
o There are requirements that need to be submitted:
 2 copies certified true copy of title (1 original & 1 photocopy)
 2 copies of tax declaration
 2 copies of certificate of non-delinquency
 1 set building/ fencing/ excavation plan
 1 set building/ fencing/ excavation cost estimate
 Parking plan
 Environmental compliance certificate (ECC)
 2 copies application for zoning compliance certificate duly notarized
In case the applicants is not the registered owner of the lot:
 Duly notarized contract of lease
 Duly notarized deed of sale
 Duly notarized contract to sell
 Duly notarized copy of the authorization from the registered owner
 Approved TSI/ MSI order of award issued by DENR and approved
survey plan
o According to the Zoning Ordinance of Baguio City (2012-2020), section 3 on
Purposes: “Guide, control, and regulate future growth and development of
 Baguio City in accordance with its comprehensive land use plan.” This ordinance
helps to configure if one person’s lot is appropriate for the zoning classifications,
zoning maps, and zoning ordinances.
o Also with this ordinance, there are also certain exemptions, like if one wants to
build a commercial building in an R1 zone, there will be a need to talk with local
zoning board of adjustment and appeal.
o It takes at least 2 to 3 days to get the certificate.

 Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance

(Baguio City Fire Station, Kayang Street)
o There are requirements that need to be submitted:
 Bill of Materials
 Specifications
 Plan
o According to the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2006 (Republic Act No.
9514), Section 7 on the Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety, Constructions,
and Protective and/or warning systems: “Inspection Requirement- A fire safety
inspection shall be conducted by the Chief, BFP or his duly authorized
representative as prerequisite to the grants or permits and/or licenses by local
governments and other government agencies concerned, for the:
 Use or occupancy of buildings structures, facilities or their premises
including the installation or fire protection and fire equipment, and
electrical system in any building structure or facility; and
 Storage, handling and/or use of explosives or of combustible, flammable,
toxic and other hazardous materials;”
o According to the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2006 (Republic Act No.
9514), Section 12 on the Appropriation and Sources of Income: “Fees to be
charged for the issuance of certificates, permits and licenses as provided for in
Section 7 (a) hereof; One-tenth of one per centum (0.1%) of the verified
estimated value of buildings or structures to be erected, from the owner thereof,
but not to exceed fifty thousand (P50,000.00) pesos, one half to be paid prior to
the issuance of the building permit, and the balance, after final inspection and
prior to the issuance of the building permit, and the balance, after final inspection
to the issuance of use and occupancy permit.”
o For commercial buildings, the focus is on the provision on fire safety
construction, protective and warning systems. Like: sprinkler systems, fire alarm
systems and etc.
o For residential buildings, they look for exits.
o It takes 1 to 2 days to get certification.

 Certificate of Compliance from CEPMO

o There are requirements that need to be submitted:
 Plans
 Filled-up requirements
o If the lot is near a sewer line, it will be connected to the city’s sewer line with a
payment.
o If it is not near a sewer line, one need a certification to have a septic tank and one
must also pass septic tank specifications.
o If it is a large commercial building, it is required to have a sewage treatment
plan.
o It will take a day or two until one gets his permit.

After processing said certificates, there is a checklist in securing a building before it will be
received by CBAO:
o Applicant is the registered owner of the lot
o Certified true copy of title (updated for not more than 3 mos.), or Copy of Award
(Gov’t employees)
o Survey plan prepared by a Geodetic Engineer
o Applicant is not the registered owner of the lot
o Certified Photocopy/ Original/ Duplicate copy of the Contract of Lease, or
 o Certified Photocopy/ Original/ Duplicate copy of the Absolute Deed of Sale, or
o Certified Photocopy/ Original/ Duplicate copy of the Conditional Deed of Sale
o Original Copy of Authority to construct on the subject property
o Tax Declaration from the Assessors’ Office with Documentary Stamp
o Latest quarter of the real property tax receipt or certificate of non-tax delinquency with
Documentary Stamp from the City Treasurers Office
o Duly accomplished Building Permit forms
o Building Plans (to be signed by the applicants/ owner)
o Structural Design and Analysis for Buildings with floor area of 20 sq.m. or more
o Building Specifications.
o Bill of Materials
o Clear latest picture of site/ area (Taken at least a week before application)
o Soil analysis for concrete and commercial/ residential buildings with 3 storeys or over
o Environmental Compliance Certificate for building follows:
o 3 storeys with basement
o 4 storeys and above
o Photocopy of updated professional tax receipt and Professional Regulations Commission
(PRC) identification of all professional signatories to the application forms and plans
o Zoning Compliance Certificate from City Planning and Development Office
o Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance from Fire Department
o WWMS BP Certificate from CEPMO (septic tank or sewerage)
o Construction Logbook
o Construction Tarpaulin
o Clearances from other government agencies, pursuant to no. 12 (B) of Section 302 of the
IRR of the National Building Code (PD 1096), if applicable:
o DPWH, if property is located alongside national road
o Aviation Transportation office (ATO), if property is located alongside the airport
o Presidential Security Group(PSG), if property is located near mansion house
o Duly notarized authorization to process and receive approved permit or special power of
attorney (when applicable)

In an interview with a former employee, these files will be checked by a certain personnel. This
personnel will check if everything from the plans, to the certificate, and the others are duly filled in a
complete. This process will take a day or less than that.

Then, it will now be evaluated by the different sectors. This is also called routing.

First, Line and Grade will evaluate if the building is in accordance with the PD 1096, Rule 7 and
8 on the classification and general requirements of all buildings by use or occupancy and also on the
percentage of site occupancy. The Line and Grade man will check its compliance with the setbacks which
are given by the government. If this is completed the Line and Grade man (May be an Engineer or an
Architect I, II, or III) will pass this to the Architectural Evaluator.

Second, Architectural will evaluate if the building is in accordance with the PD1096, Section 302
on application for Permits under Architectural Documents. These documents must include the following:
Architectural Plans/ Drawings, Architectural Interiors/ Interior Design, Plans and specific locations of all
accessibility facilities of scale of at least 1:100, Detailed design of all such accessibility facilities outside
and around buildings and structures including parking areas, and their safety requirements all at scale of
1:50 or any convenient scale. He will evaluate if the Architect followed the codes minimum requirements
and will give additional feedback if ever. After the Architectural Evaluator checks its compliance, he will
pass it to the Structural Evaluator.

Third, Structural will evaluate if the building is in accordance with the PD1096, Section 302 on
application for Permits under Civil/ Structural Documents. These documents should include the
following: The Site Development plan, Structural Plans, and the Structural Analysis and Design for all
buildings/structures except for one storey and single detached building/ structure with a total floor area of
20.00 sq. meters or less. The structural engineer will determine if their structure complies with the
following codes: The Structural Code of the Philippines and PD 1096, Rule 8 on the General Design and
Construction Requirements. Then, it will be passed to the sanitary engineer.

Fourth, Sanitary will evaluate if the building is in accordance with the PD1096, Rule 9, Section
903 on the Waste Water Disposal System: “1. Sanitary sewage from buildings and neutralized or pre-
treated industrial wastewater shall be discharged directly into the nearest street sanitary sewer main of
existing municipal or city sanitary sewage system in accordance with the criteria set by the Code on
Sanitation of the Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). 2. All
buildings located in areas where there is no available sanitary sewerage system shall dispose their sewage
to “Imhoff” or septic tank and subsurface absorption field or to a suitable waste water treatment plant or
disposal system in accordance with the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines and the Revised National
Plumbing Code of the Philippines. 3. Sanitary and industrial plumbing installations inside buildings and
premises shall conform to the provisions of the Revised National Plumbing Code of the Philippines.” The
Sanitary Engineer will check if these rules are followed and then it will be passed to the Electrical
Engineer.

Fifth, Electrical will evaluate if the building is in accordance with the PD1096, Section 1301 on
the Electrical Regulations, “All electrical systems, equipment and installations mentioned in the Code
shall conform to the provisions of the Philippine Electrical Code Part 1 (PEC-1) and Part 2 (PEC-2), as
adopted by the Board of Electrical Engineering pursuant to Republic Act 7920, otherwise known as the
Philippine Electrical Engineering Law.” The Electrical Engineer will check if these rules are followed and
then it will be passed to the Mechanical Engineer.

Sixth, Mechanical will evaluate if the building is in accordance with the PD1096, Section 1302
on the Mechanical Regulations, “All the mechanical systems, equipment and installations mentioned in
the Code shall conform to the provisions of the Philippine Mechanical Code, as adopted by the Board of
Mechanical Engineering pursuant to RA 8495 as amended, otherwise known as the Philippine
Mechanical Engineering Law.” The Mechanical Engineer will check if these rules are followed and then
it will be passed to chief processing. These steps will take 1 to 2 week before redirected to the chief
processing.

At Chief Processing, they will counter check all the requirements for assessment and payment.
During the payment and assessment of fees, the Building Official (Engr. Nacita Banez) will counter check
and counter sign the forms. Thereafter, payment of fees and re-counter checking it will already be ok to
start the construction of the building.
 BUILDING PERMIT
PROCESS

Zoning Compliance Environmental

Fire Safety Evaluation Certificate of
Certificate (City Compliance Certificate Renovation/Extension Fencing/Excavation
(BFP) Compliance (CEPMO)
Planning Office) (DENR - EMB)

Step 1 (CBAO) Receiving of

Application of Permits and
Pre-evaluation of Technical
Plans

Step 2a (CBAO)
Evaluation of Plans and Assesment
of Fees [Line & Grade,
Architectural, Structural, Sanitary,
Electrical, Mechanical]

Step 2b (CBAO)
Chief Processing and
Reinforcement

Step 3 (CBAO)
Payment of Fees

Step 4 (CBAO)
Approval of Permit

Step 5 (CBAO)
Release of Permit