BAGUIO CITY — If building laws were to be strictly enforced, the city government would have to demolish around 73.98 percent of the total recorded structures in Baguio for lacking the necessary permits.

According to the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO), 61,627 structures across 105 surveyed barangays do not have building permits. CBAO assistant head Stephen Capuyan said 23 additional barangays are still undergoing verification to determine the permit status of their structures.

Capuyan cited the lack of financial capacity among property owners as a primary obstacle to securing permits.

He explained that the process requires technical certification from architects and engineers to ensure a building’s structural integrity before a permit can be issued. Land ownership issues also contribute to the high number of unpermitted structures, as individuals cannot be granted building permits if the lots they occupy are untitled.

The CBAO also disclosed that some property owners with land titles have failed to comply with required setbacks or easements, which dictate the proper distance between a structure and the road right of way.

Baguio City Administrator VJ Cawis said the local government is studying measures to assist residents and simplify the permit application process. One proposal includes providing assistance with lot surveys to help property owners comply with legal requirements.