Home⇛Uswag Journal: Philippine Journal of Multidisciplinary Research⇛vol. 3 no. 2 (2025)

A Proposed Framework for Digitalization of Building Permit System in the Philippines

Myrna Mar A. Morgado

 

Abstract:

This study examines the digitalization of building permit systems by analyzing global best practices and adapting them to the Philippine context to propose a practical and scalable electronic permitting (e-permitting) framework. Anchored in a structured research paradigm, the study begins with an extensive review of international models from Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, and South Korea, highlighting innovations such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), three-dimensional Geographic Information Systems (3D GIS), and payment-based user authentication systems. These global practices are analyzed alongside selected local initiatives in Philippine cities and municipalities to identify institutional gaps, implementation challenges, and opportunities at the local government unit (LGU) level. Using a qualitative research design and thematic analysis of forty-seven peer-reviewed articles, government reports, and case studies, the study identifies key themes, including automation, transparency, interoperability, and stakeholder collaboration. The findings underscore the need for updated legal frameworks, strengthened information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, capacity-building programs, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The resulting framework is tailored to local administrative and technological capacities and proposes a phased, cloud-based, and secure digital permitting system that aligns national mandates with on-the-ground realities. Overall, the proposed framework aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in building permit processes across Philippine local governments.



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