Local government in the Philippines
Encyclopedia
Local government
in the Philippines is divided into four levels:
All divisions below the regional level are called "local government units (LGUs)."
According to the Constitution, the LGUs "shall enjoy local autonomy", and in which the president exercises "general supervision". Congress
enacted the Local Government Code of 1991 "which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers, responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of local units."
and the Cordilleras. Other regions are not considered LGUs since they do not have political power.
Currently, only one autonomous region exists: the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM). In 2001, a plebiscite
confirmed the previous composition of the autonomous region, and added Basilan
except the city
of Isabela
, and Marawi in Lanao del Sur
within its jurisdiction; however Isabela City is still politically a part of Basilan despite rejecting inclusion.
A 1998 plebiscite
for the creation of a "Cordillera Autonomous Region" was only approved by the voters of Ifugao; as a result, the Supreme Court
(Ordillo vs. Comelec; G.R. No. 93054) ruled that a region must be composed of more than one province. The proposed Cordillera Autonomous Region never came to be and the provinces were reorganized into the Cordillera Administrative Region
without the expanded powers of an autonomous region.
An autonomous region is governed by the regional governor; its legislature is the regional legislative assembly.
A province is governed by the governor; its legislature is the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
A city is governed by the mayor; its legislature is the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
which was separated from Rizal
to form Metro Manila
. Just as cities, municipalities are composed of barangays. A municipality is governed by the mayor; its legislature is the Sangguniang Bayan.
s and purok
s. The center of governance both for executive and legislative function is the barangay hall.
A barangay is governed by the Punong Barangay or barangay captain; its legislature is the Sangguniang Barangay composed of Barangay Kagawad
(barangay councilors) and the SK chairperson. A separate assembly for the youth sector, the Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK) also exists for youth-oriented projects.
. The LGUs have control of the executive and legislative branch.
The executive branch is composed of the regional governor for the autonomous region, governor for the provinces, mayor for the cities and municipalities, and the barangay captain for the barangays.
The legislative branch is composed of the Regional Legislative Assembly
for the autonomous region, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
(provincial assembly) for the provinces, Sangguniang Panlungsod (city assembly) for the cities, Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly) for the municipalities, Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan
for the youth sector.
ARMM assembly districts are similar in territorial composition of congressional districts
, except for the Basilan assembly district, which, unlike the congressional district of Basilan, does not include Isabela City
, and the 1st Maguindanao assembly district, which, unlike the 1st congressional district of Maguindanao, does not include Cotabato City
. Each ARMM assembly district elects 3 members to the regional assembly
that convenes in Cotabato City
.
*a Sangguniang Kabataan official who has surpassed 21 years of age while in office is allowed to serve for the rest of the term.
Legend:
√ - Mandatory
? - Optional
X - Not Applicable
Source: Local Government Code of 1991
(COMELEC) in the local government unit or units directly affected. The Local Government Code has also set requisites for creating local government units. A summary can be found in the table below:
* either area or population; meeting only one of these requirements is sufficient
^The ARMM Regional Assembly was conferred by Congress (through Article VI, Section 19 of Republic Act 9054) the power to create or modify lower-level LGUs under its jurisdiction, including provinces and cities. However, the Supreme Court
's decision on the unconstitutionality
of the now-defunct province of Shariff Kabunsuan
has effectively confined the regional assembly's powers to creating or modifying only municipalities and barangays.
Local government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
in the Philippines is divided into four levels:
- Autonomous regionsRegions of the PhilippinesIn the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...
- ProvincesProvinces of the PhilippinesThe Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...
and cities independent from a provinceCities of the PhilippinesA city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure... - Component cities and municipalitiesMunicipalities of the PhilippinesA municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit...
- BarangayBarangayA barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s
All divisions below the regional level are called "local government units (LGUs)."
According to the Constitution, the LGUs "shall enjoy local autonomy", and in which the president exercises "general supervision". Congress
Congress of the Philippines
The Congress of the Philippines is the national legislature of the Republic of the Philippines. It is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate , and the House of Representatives although commonly in the Philippines the term congress refers to the latter.The Senate is composed of 24 senators half...
enacted the Local Government Code of 1991 "which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers, responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of local units."
Levels of local government
Autonomous regions
Autonomous regions have more powers than other LGUs. Currently, the constitution limits the creation of autonomous regions in Muslim MindanaoBangsamoro
The term Bangsamoro refers to a people who are natives or original inhabitants of the island of Mindanao and its adjacent islands in the Philippines, including Palawan and the Sulu archipelago at the time of conquest or colonization...
and the Cordilleras. Other regions are not considered LGUs since they do not have political power.
Currently, only one autonomous region exists: the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...
(ARMM). In 2001, a plebiscite
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao expansion and inclusion plebiscite, 2001
In the Philippines, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the only autonomous region; as such it is the sole region with a regional government as prescribed by the Constitution of the Philippines. In 2001, Republic Act No...
confirmed the previous composition of the autonomous region, and added Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
except the city
Cities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
of Isabela
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
, and Marawi in Lanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur
Lanao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Its capital is Marawi City and borders Lanao del Norte to the north, Bukidnon to the east, and Maguindanao and Cotabato to the south. To the southwest lies Illana Bay, an arm of the Moro Gulf...
within its jurisdiction; however Isabela City is still politically a part of Basilan despite rejecting inclusion.
A 1998 plebiscite
Cordillera Autonomous Region creation plebiscite, 1998
The Cordillera Autonomous Region plebiscite was held on March 7, 1998 asked if they wanted to be autonomous region under Republic Act No. 4838. The Cordillera Administrative Region consists of the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Apayao.-Results:Majority of...
for the creation of a "Cordillera Autonomous Region" was only approved by the voters of Ifugao; as a result, the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
(Ordillo vs. Comelec; G.R. No. 93054) ruled that a region must be composed of more than one province. The proposed Cordillera Autonomous Region never came to be and the provinces were reorganized into the Cordillera Administrative Region
Cordillera Administrative Region
The Cordillera Administrative Region is a region in the Philippines composed of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, as well as Baguio City, the regional center. The Cordillera Administrative Region encompasses most of the areas within the Cordillera...
without the expanded powers of an autonomous region.
An autonomous region is governed by the regional governor; its legislature is the regional legislative assembly.
Provinces
Outside the lone autonomous region, the provinces are the highest-level LGUs. The provinces are organized into component cities and municipalities.A province is governed by the governor; its legislature is the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Cities
Cities are of somewhat complex matter; most cities are component cities in which they are a part of a province. Several other cities are highly urbanized cities and independent component cities, these cities are not politically a part of any province, hence city residents are not allowed to run for provincial offices. Cities are composed of barangays.A city is governed by the mayor; its legislature is the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Municipalities
Municipalities are always a part of a province except for PaterosPateros, Metro Manila
The Municipality of Pateros is a First-class municipality in Metro Manila, Philippines. This small town is famous for its duck-raising industry and especially for producing balut, a Filipino delicacy that is boiled duck egg...
which was separated from Rizal
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
to form Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
. Just as cities, municipalities are composed of barangays. A municipality is governed by the mayor; its legislature is the Sangguniang Bayan.
Barangays
Barangays are the smallest-level but an independent body of a Local Government Unit (LGU). Its manner of creation and function is prescribed by the Local Government Code of 1991. Barangays are informally divided into sitioSitio
A sitio in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay, the location of which may be distant from the center of the barangay itself....
s and purok
Purok
Purok is a political subdivision of the barangay in the Philippines, especially in rural areas. Both barangay and SK councilors are in charge of leading their own respective puroks....
s. The center of governance both for executive and legislative function is the barangay hall.
A barangay is governed by the Punong Barangay or barangay captain; its legislature is the Sangguniang Barangay composed of Barangay Kagawad
Barangay Kagawad
A Barangay Kagawad, abbreviated as "Kgwd.", is an elected government official who is a member of the Sangguniang Barangay of a particular barangay, the smallest political unit in the Philippines...
(barangay councilors) and the SK chairperson. A separate assembly for the youth sector, the Sangguniang Kabataan
Sangguniang Kabataan
The Sangguniang Kabataan is the governing body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan . Each barangay in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, aging from 15 to 18 years old who resides in their respective barangays for at least 6months...
(SK) also exists for youth-oriented projects.
Officials and Offices
Just as the national government, local governments are divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary. The judicial branch is administered solely by the Supreme Court of the PhilippinesSupreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
. The LGUs have control of the executive and legislative branch.
The executive branch is composed of the regional governor for the autonomous region, governor for the provinces, mayor for the cities and municipalities, and the barangay captain for the barangays.
The legislative branch is composed of the Regional Legislative Assembly
ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao has a unicameral Regional Legislative Assembly headed by a Speaker. It is composed of three members for every congressional district...
for the autonomous region, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
Sangguniang Panlalawigan
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is the legislature of all provinces in the Philippines. It passes ordinances and resolutions for the effective administration of the province...
(provincial assembly) for the provinces, Sangguniang Panlungsod (city assembly) for the cities, Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly) for the municipalities, Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan
Sangguniang Kabataan
The Sangguniang Kabataan is the governing body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan . Each barangay in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, aging from 15 to 18 years old who resides in their respective barangays for at least 6months...
for the youth sector.
Assemblies
The assemblies review the ordinances and resolutions enacted by the assemblies below its jurisdiction. Aside from regular and ex-officio members, the assemblies above the barangay level also have three sectoral representatives, one each from women, agricultural or industrial workers, and other sectors.| LGU | Assembly | Composition | Head |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous region | Regional Legislative Assembly ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao has a unicameral Regional Legislative Assembly headed by a Speaker. It is composed of three members for every congressional district... |
|
Assembly speaker |
| Province | Sangguniang Panlalawigan Sangguniang Panlalawigan The Sangguniang Panlalawigan is the legislature of all provinces in the Philippines. It passes ordinances and resolutions for the effective administration of the province... |
Philippine general election, 2007 Legislative and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 14, 2007. Positions contested included half the seats in the Senate, which are elected for six-year terms, and all the seats in the House of Representatives, who were elected for three-year terms... :
Sangguniang Kabataan The Sangguniang Kabataan is the governing body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan . Each barangay in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, aging from 15 to 18 years old who resides in their respective barangays for at least 6months... |
Vice governor |
| City | Sangguniang Panlungsod Sangguniang Panlungsod The Sangguniang Panlungsod is the local legislative branch of city governments in the Philippines. The term is coined from the Tagalog words "sanggunian" and "lungsod" which means "city council". It passes ordinances and resolutions for the administration of the city. Its powers are defined by the... |
Philippine general election, 2007 Legislative and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 14, 2007. Positions contested included half the seats in the Senate, which are elected for six-year terms, and all the seats in the House of Representatives, who were elected for three-year terms... :
|
Vice mayor |
| Municipality | Sangguniang Bayan Sangguniang Bayan The Sangguniang Bayan is the legislature of municipal governments in the Philippines. It passes ordinances and resolutions for the effective administration of the municipality... |
|
Vice mayor |
| Barangay | Sangguniang Barangay Sangguniang Barangay The Sangguniang Barangay is the legislative body of barangay governments in the Philippines. The term is coined from the Tagalog words "sanggunian" and "baranggay" which means "barangay advisory council". It passes ordinances and resolutions for the effective administration of the barangay... |
|
Barangay captain |
| Sangguniang Kabataan Sangguniang Kabataan The Sangguniang Kabataan is the governing body in every chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan . Each barangay in the Philippines is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, aging from 15 to 18 years old who resides in their respective barangays for at least 6months... |
|
Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson |
ARMM assembly districts are similar in territorial composition of congressional districts
Legislative districts of the Philippines
The Legislative districts of the Philippines are the division are the representations of the Philippines' provinces and cities in the House of Representatives. The first composition of legislative districts were enshrined in the Ordinance appended to the Constitution...
, except for the Basilan assembly district, which, unlike the congressional district of Basilan, does not include Isabela City
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
, and the 1st Maguindanao assembly district, which, unlike the 1st congressional district of Maguindanao, does not include Cotabato City
Cotabato City
The City of Cotabato is one of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. Cotabato City is an exclave of the SOCCSKSARGEN region found within the boundaries of Maguindanao province, but is independent of that province...
. Each ARMM assembly district elects 3 members to the regional assembly
ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly
The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao has a unicameral Regional Legislative Assembly headed by a Speaker. It is composed of three members for every congressional district...
that convenes in Cotabato City
Cotabato City
The City of Cotabato is one of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. Cotabato City is an exclave of the SOCCSKSARGEN region found within the boundaries of Maguindanao province, but is independent of that province...
.
Elected officials
All elected officials have 3-year terms, and can only serve a maximum of three consecutive terms before being ineligible for reelection.| LGU | Official | Minimum age (18 is the voting age Voting age A voting age is a minimum age established by law that a person must attain to be eligible to vote in a public election.The vast majority of countries in the world have established a voting age. Most governments consider that those of any age lower than the chosen threshold lack the necessary... ) |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous region | Regional governor | 35 years old on election day |
| Regional vice governor | Same as regional governor | |
| Regional legislative assembly member | 21 years old on election day | |
| Provinces | Governor | 23 years old on election day |
| Vice governor | Same as governor | |
| Sangguniang Panlalawigan member | Same as governor | |
| Highly urbanized cities | Mayor | Same as governor |
| Vice mayor | Same as governor | |
| Sangguniang Panlungsod member (Councilor) | Same as governor | |
| Independent component and component cities | Mayor | 21 years old on election day |
| Vice mayor | Same as independent component and component city mayor | |
| Sangguniang Panlungsod member (Councilor) | Same as independent component and component city mayor | |
| Municipalities | Mayor | Same as independent component and component city mayor |
| Vice mayor | Same as independent component and component city mayor | |
| Sangguniang Bayan member (Councilor) | Same as independent component and component city mayor | |
| Barangay | Barangay captain | 18 years old on election day |
| Barangay kagawad | Same as barangay captain | |
| Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson | 15 to 21 years old on election day* | |
| Sangguniang Kabataan member | Same as Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson* |
Offices that are common to municipalities, cities and provinces
There are 20 offices in a government, whether it's municipal, city or provincial. There are some mandatory and optional offices to the government.| Office | Head | Municipality | City | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Secretary to the Sanggunian | Secretary to the Sanggunian | √ | √ | √ |
| Treasurer's Office | Treasurer | √ | √ | √ |
| Assessor's Office | Assessor | √ | √ | √ |
| Accounting Office | Accountant | √ | √ | √ |
| Budget Office | Budget Officer | √ | √ | √ |
| Planning and Development Office | Planning and Development Coordinator | √ | √ | √ |
| Engineer's Office | Engineer | √ | √ | √ |
| Health Office | Health Officer | √ | √ | √ |
| Office of the Civil Registry | Civil Registrar | √ | √ | X |
| Office of the Administrator | Administrator | √ | √ | √ |
| Office of the Legal Services | Legal Officer | ? | √ | √ |
| Office of Agricultural Services/Office of the Agriculturist | Agriculturist | ? | ? | √ |
| (Office of) Social Welfare and Development Office | Social Welfare and Development Officer | ? | √ | √ |
| (Office of) Environment and Natural Resources Office | Environment and Natural Resources Officer | ? | ? | ? |
| Office of Architectural Planning and Design | Architect | ? | ? | ? |
| Office of Public Information | Information Officer | ? | ? | ? |
| Office for the Development of Cooperatives/Cooperatives Development Office | Cooperatives Officer | X | ? | ? |
| Population Office | Population Officer | ? | ? | ? |
| Veterinary Office/Office of Veterinary Services | Veterinarian | X | √ | √ |
| (Office of) General Services Office | General Services Officer | X | √ | √ |
Legend:
√ - Mandatory
? - Optional
X - Not Applicable
Source: Local Government Code of 1991
Creation and modification of LGUs
As a matter of principle, higher legislative entities have the power to create, divide, merge, abolish, or substantially alter boundaries of any lower-level LGU through a law or by an ordinance, all subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the Commission on ElectionsCommission on Elections (Philippines)
The Commission on Elections, or COMELEC, is one of the three constitutional commissions of the Philippines. Its principal role is to enforce all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections, initiatives, referendums, and recalls....
(COMELEC) in the local government unit or units directly affected. The Local Government Code has also set requisites for creating local government units. A summary can be found in the table below:
| LGU | Area | Population | Income | Legislative bodies that can create, merge, abolish or substantially alter the boundaries of the LGU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Province | 2,000 square kilometers* | 250,000* | P Philippine peso The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used... 20 million for the last two (2) consecutive years based on 1991 constant prices |
|
| City | 100 square kilometers* | 150,000* | P Philippine peso The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used... 100 million for the last two (2) consecutive years based on 2000 constant prices |
|
| Municipality | 50 square kilometers | 25,000 | P Philippine peso The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used... 2.5 million for the last two (2) consecutive years based on 1991 constant prices |
|
| Barangay | None | 5,000 (Metro Manila Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines... and highly-urbanized cities) 2,000 (rest of the country) |
None |
|
^The ARMM Regional Assembly was conferred by Congress (through Article VI, Section 19 of Republic Act 9054) the power to create or modify lower-level LGUs under its jurisdiction, including provinces and cities. However, the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
's decision on the unconstitutionality
Sema v. Comelec
Sema v. COMELEC is a court case that was heard before the Supreme Court of the Philippines. It was consolidated with Marquez v. Comelec . It held that the Regional Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao does not have the power to create provinces and cities...
of the now-defunct province of Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan
Shariff Kabunsuan was a province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that existed from 2006 to 2008. The law establishing the province was nullified by the Philippine Supreme Court in 2008.-History:...
has effectively confined the regional assembly's powers to creating or modifying only municipalities and barangays.
See also
- Administrative divisions of the PhilippinesAdministrative divisions of the PhilippinesThe Philippines is divided into, from the highest division to the lowest:#Autonomous regions#*Regular administrative regions do not have political power.#Provinces and independent cities#Municipalities and component cities#Barangays...