Provinces of the Philippines

The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions

Administrative divisions of the Philippines

The 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...

 of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities

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...

 and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial government. Each province is administered by an elected governor

Governor

A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...

 who oversees various local government entities.

The provinces are grouped into seventeen regions

Regions of the Philippines

In 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...

 based on geographical, cultural, and ethnological characteristics. Fourteen of these regions are designated with numbers corresponding to their geographic location in order from north to south. The National Capital Region

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...

, 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...

, and 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...

 do not have numerical designations.

Each province is member to the League of Provinces of the Philippines, an organization which aims to address issues affecting provincial and metropolitan government administrations.

Government

Provincial government is autonomous of other provinces within the Republic. Each province is governed by two main elected branches of government: executive and legislative. Judicial affairs are separated from provincial governance, administered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines

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...

.

Executive

The provincial governor is chief executive and head of each province. Elected to a term of three years and limited to three terms, he or she appoints the directors of each provincial department which include the office of administration, engineering office, information office, legal office and treasury office.

Legislative

The vice-governor acts as the president of each 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...

 (SP; English: Provincial Board), the province's legislative body. The Sanggunian is composed of regularly elected members from provincial districts, as well as ex-officio members. The number of regularly elected SP members to which a province is entitled is determined by its income class. First- and second-class provinces are provided ten regular SP members; third- and fourth-class provinces have eight, and fifth- and sixth-class provinces have six. The only exceptions to this rule are provinces which have more than five congressional districts. Cavite

Cavite

Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...

 has 14 regularly elected SP members, while Cebu

Cebu

Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...

, Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...

 and Pangasinan

Pangasinan

Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...

 have twelve each.

Each Sangguniang Panlalawigan has designated seats for ex-officio members. Such seats are given to the local president of the Association of Barangay

Barangay

A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...

 Captains (ABC), the local president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), and the local president of 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; English: Youth Council).

The vice-governor and the regular members of the Sanggunian are elected by the voters within the province. Ex-officio members are elected by members of their respective organizations.

National government

National intrusion into the affairs of each provincial government is limited by the constitution. The President of the Philippines

President of the Philippines

The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...

 however coordinates with provincial administrators through the Department of the Interior and Local Government

Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)

The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local government units...

. For purposes of national representation, each province is guaranteed its own congressional district

House of Representatives of the Philippines

The House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...

. One congressional representative represents each district in the House of Representatives

House of Representatives of the Philippines

The House of Representatives of the Philippines is the lower chamber of the...

. Senatorial

Senate of the Philippines

The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...

 representation is elected at an at-large basis and not apportioned through territory-based districts.

Cities and municipalities

Those classified as either "highly-urbanized" or "independent component" cities are independent from the province, as provided for in Section 29 of the Local Government Code of 1991. Although such a city is a self-governing first-level entity, in many cases it is often presented as part of the province in which it is geographically located, or in the case of Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City

The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....

, the province it last formed part the congressional representation of.

Local government units classified as "component" cities and municipalities are under the jurisdiction of the provincial government. In order to make sure that all component city or municipal governments act within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions, the Local Government Code mandates the provincial governor to review executive orders issued by mayors, and 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...

 to review legislation by the 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...

 (City Council) or 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...

 (Municipal Council), of all component cities and municipalities under the province's jurisdiction.

Barangays

The provincial government does not have direct relations with individual barangays. Supervision over a barangay government is the mandate of the mayor and the Sanggunian of the component city or municipality of which the barangay in question is a part.

Classification

Provinces are classified according to average annual income based on the previous 3 calendar years. Effective July 28, 2008 the thresholds for the income classes for cities are:

Class	Average annual income
First	₱ 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...  450 million or more
Second	₱ 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...  360 million or more but less than ₱ 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...  450 million
Third	₱ 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...  270 million or more but less than ₱ 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...  360 million
Fourth	₱ 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...  180 million or more but less than ₱ 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...  270 million
Fifth	₱ 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...  90 million or more but less than ₱ 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...  180 million
Sixth	below ₱ 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...  90 million

A province's income class determines the size of the membership of its 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...

, and also how much it can spend on certain items, or procure through certain means.

Map

Note: The map presents independent cities outside of 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...

 as part of provinces, despite being self-governing units themselves.

List of provinces

For a sortable table containing figures for all first-level subdivisions, with independent cities presented separately from their mother provinces, see List of primary local government units of the Philippines.

Province	Capital	Region Regions of the Philippines In 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...	Population (2007)	Population rank	Area (km²)	Area rank	Pop. density (per km²)	Pop. density rank
Abra	Bangued Bangued, Abra Bangued is a first class municipality in the province of Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 46,179 in 8,071 households.-History:...	CAR 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...	230,953	67	4,198.20	33		76
Agusan del Norte Agusan del Norte Agusan del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga, a region in Mindanao. Its capital is Cabadbaran City and it borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Surigao del Sur to the east, Agusan del Sur to the south, and Misamis Oriental to the west...	Cabadbaran Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte Cabadbaran is a component city in the province of Agusan del Norte, Philippines. Founded in 1894, the city rose from its Spanish period beginnings to become the premier town of Agusan del Norte. Its rich cultural heritage is evident in its preserved colonial period houses and its archaeological...	Region XIII Caraga Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995...	612,405	46	3,546.86	40		49
Agusan del Sur Agusan del Sur Agusan del Sur is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Prosperidad and borders, from the north clockwise, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis...	Prosperidad Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Prosperidad is a 1st class municipality in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of the province. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 70,815 people in 13,064 households....	Region XIII Caraga Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995...	609,447	47	9,989.52	5		73
Aklan	Kalibo Kalibo, Aklan Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines. It is a First Class Municipality in the Western Visayas Region practically located at the center of all coastal municipalities of Aklan province...	Region VI Western Visayas Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...	495,122	57	1,821.42	66		24
Albay	Legazpi	Region V Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...	1,190,823	24	2,565.77	57		11
Antique	San Jose de Buenavista San Jose, Antique San Jose is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Antique...	Region VI Western Visayas Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...	515,265	54	2,729.17	53		44
Apayao	Kabugao Kabugao, Apayao Kabugao is a municipality in the province of Apayao, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Apayao. According to the latest census, it has a population of 14,529 people in 2,501 households.-Barangays:...	CAR 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...	103,633	76	4,351.23	31		79
Aurora	Baler Baler, Aurora Baler is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is the provincial capital of Aurora. According to the latest census, it has a population of 34,492 people and 5.955 members per household....	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	187,802	69	3,147.32	47		74
Basilan	Isabela	ARMM 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...	496,505	56	2,217.13	59		37
Bataan	Balanga	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	662,153	43	1,372.98	72		9
Batanes Batanes The Province of Batanes , also called the Batanes Islands, is a Philippine province comprising ten islands that are located in the Luzon Strait between the islands of Luzon and Taiwan...	Basco Basco, Batanes Basco is a 5th class municipality in the Batanes Province, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Batanes...	Region II Cagayan Valley Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...	15,974	79	219.01	79		69
Batangas	Batangas City Batangas City - Foreign Rule :The first Spanish missionaries arrived in Batangas City since 1572. Finally on 1581 Spanish authorities governing the Philippines created a pueblo in the area which included the hill where the present Provincial Capitol of Batangas stands after the formal end of the Coumintang...	Region IV-A CALABARZON CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...	2,245,869	8	3,119.72	48		7
Benguet Benguet Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....	La Trinidad La Trinidad, Benguet La Trinidad is a 1st class municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Benguet. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 97,810 people in 13,658 households....	CAR 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...	674,459	42	2,826.59	50		35
Biliran	Naval Naval, Biliran Naval is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Biliran, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Biliran. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 44,288 people in 9,575 households....	Region VIII Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...	150,031	74	536.01	76		23
Bohol	Tagbilaran	Region VII Central Visayas Central Visayas, designated as Region VII, is a region of the Philippines located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It consists of four provinces—Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor— and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City....	1,230,110	23	4,820.95	26		30
Bukidnon Bukidnon Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.Bukidnon is...	Malaybalay	Region X Northern Mindanao Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...	1,190,284	25	10,498.59	4		62
Bulacan	Malolos	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	2,826,936	4	2,774.85	51		5
Cagayan Cagayan Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...	Tuguegarao	Region II Cagayan Valley Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...	1,072,571	28	9,295.75	6		60
Camarines Norte Camarines Norte Camarines Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Daet and the province borders Quezon to the west and Camarines Sur to the south.-Demographics:...	Daet Daet, Camarines Norte Daet, also known as the "Gateway to Bicolandia". A 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Camarines Norte. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 94,184 or 18.33% of Camarines Norte's population. The current mayor of...	Region V Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...	513,785	55	2,320.07	58		38
Camarines Sur Camarines Sur Camarines Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south...	Pili Pili, Camarines Sur Pili is a 1st class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Camarines Sur. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 76,496 people.-History:...	Region V Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...	1,693,821	15	5,465.26	19		20
Camiguin	Mambajao Mambajao, Camiguin Mambajao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camiguin, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Camiguin. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 30,806 people in 5,978 households.-History:...	Region X Northern Mindanao Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...	81,293	78	237.95	78		16
Capiz Capiz Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...	Roxas	Region VI Western Visayas Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...	701,664	39	2,594.64	56		25
Catanduanes	Virac Virac, Catanduanes Virac is a 1st class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of the province and the third largest town with a land area of 188 km2...	Region V Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...	232,757	66	1,492.16	71		51
Cavite	Imus Imus, Cavite The Municipality of Imus is a first-class municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines, and it is the officially designated capital of Cavite...	Region IV-A CALABARZON CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...	2,856,765	3	1,512.41	69		2
Cebu Cebu Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...	Cebu City Cebu City The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...	Region VII Central Visayas Central Visayas, designated as Region VII, is a region of the Philippines located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It consists of four provinces—Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor— and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City....	3,848,730	1	5,331.07	22		6
Compostela Valley Compostela Valley Compostela Valley is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. The province, called Comval for short, used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. It is the third newest province of the Philippines, behind Dinagat Islands and Zamboanga...	Nabunturan Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Nabunturan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Compostela Valley, Philippines. It is the capital town of Compostela Valley. According to the 2010 census projection, it has a population of 70,178 people in 17,357 households....	Region XI Davao Region Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...	637,366	44	4,479.77	28		54
Cotabato	Kidapawan	Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN SOCCSKSARGEN is a region of the Philippines, located in central Mindanao, and is officially designated as Region XII. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City...	1,121,974	27	9,008.90	7		58
Davao del Norte Davao del Norte Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south...	Tagum	Region XI Davao Region Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...	847,440	32	3,426.97	44		32
Davao del Sur Davao del Sur Davao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Digos City. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, and Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani to the west. To the east lies the Davao Gulf...	Digos DIGOS The General Investigations and Special Operations Division , mainly known with its acronym DIGOS, is an Italian law enforcement agency, charged with investigating sensitive cases relating to terrorism, organized crime and serious offences such as kidnapping and extortion.It is a special operative...	Region XI Davao Region Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...	2,185,743	10	6,667.06	12		18
Davao Oriental Davao Oriental Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost...	Mati Mati, Davao Oriental Mati is the only city in, and the capital city of, the Province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 122,048 people. Residents of Mati are called Matinians.-History:...	Region XI Davao Region Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...	486,104	58	5,670.07	18		68
Dinagat Islands	San Jose	Region XIII Caraga Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995...	530,281	53	3,009.27	47		7
Eastern Samar Eastern Samar Eastern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Borongan.-Location:...	Borongan Borongan, Eastern Samar The City of Borongan is a component city and the provincial capital of the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of San Julian, in the south by the municipality of Maydolong, in the west by the Samar municipalities of Hinabangan, Calbiga, Pinabacdao...	Region VIII Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...	405,114	62	4,640.73	27		67
Guimaras	Jordan Jordan, Guimaras Jordan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Guimaras, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Guimaras, and it considered to be the gateway to the province....	Region VI Western Visayas Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...	151,238	73	604.57	75		31
Ifugao	Lagawe Lagawe, Ifugao Lagawe is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ifugao, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Ifugao. According to the latest census, it has a population of 17,373 people in 2,944 households.-Barangays:...	CAR 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...	180,711	71	2,628.21	54		72
Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south...	Laoag	Region I Ilocos Region The Ilocos region or Region I is a Region of the Philippines and is located in the northwest of Luzon. It borders to the east the regions of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley and to the south the region of Central Luzon...	547,284	49	3,504.30	42		50
Ilocos Sur Ilocos Sur Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...	Vigan	Region I Ilocos Region The Ilocos region or Region I is a Region of the Philippines and is located in the northwest of Luzon. It borders to the east the regions of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley and to the south the region of Central Luzon...	632,255	45	2,595.96	55		33
Iloilo Iloilo Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...	Iloilo City Iloilo City The City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area...	Region VI Western Visayas Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...	2,110,588	11	4,899.35	25		26
Isabela	Ilagan Ilagan, Isabela Ilagan is a 1st-class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. It is the capital municipality and the largest town of Isabela...	Region II Cagayan Valley Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...	1,401,495	18	13,778.76	2		64
Kalinga	Tabuk Tabuk, Kalinga Tabuk is a city and the capital of the province of Kalinga in the Philippines. It borders with the town of Pinukpuk in the north and the town of Rizal in the northeast. On its westernmost section it shares border with the towns of Pasil and Lubuagan. On the southwest it borders with the town of...	CAR 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...	182,326	70	3,231.25	46		75
La Union La Union (province) La Union is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region or Region 1 in Luzon, whose capital is San Fernando City and borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, and Pangasinan to the south. To the west of La Union is the South China Sea.-People and culture:Ninety-three...	San Fernando	Region I Ilocos Region The Ilocos region or Region I is a Region of the Philippines and is located in the northwest of Luzon. It borders to the east the regions of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley and to the south the region of Central Luzon...	720,972	36	1,503.75	70		10
Laguna	Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, Laguna Santa Cruz is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is also the capital town of the province of Laguna. According to the latest census, it has a population of 101,914 people in 19,627 households and with a growth rate of 1.37%)...	Region IV-A CALABARZON CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...	2,473,530	6	1,823.55	65		3
Lanao del Norte Lanao del Norte Lanao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod. The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated...	Tubod Tubod, Lanao del Norte Tubod is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. It is also the capital municipality of Lanao del Norte. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 44,095 people.-Name:...	Region X Northern Mindanao Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...	846,329	33	3,824.79	35		39
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...	Marawi	ARMM 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...	1,138,544	26	12,051.85	3		65
Leyte	Tacloban	Region VIII Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...	1,722,036	14	6,515.05	13		27
Maguindanao	Shariff Aguak Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao Shariff Aguak is municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Maguindanao.On July 30, 2009, upon the ratification of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts No...	ARMM 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...	1,532,868	17	7,623.75	10		42
Marinduque	Boac Boac, Marinduque Boac is one of the two first class municipalities in Marinduque municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines...	Region IV-B	229,636	68	952.58	74		34
Masbate	Masbate City Masbate City The City of Masbate is a 4th class city in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is the capital city of Masbate province...	Region V Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...	768,939	34	4,151.78	34		45
Misamis Occidental Misamis Occidental Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City...	Oroquieta	Region X Northern Mindanao Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...	531,680	52	2,055.22	63		29
Misamis Oriental Misamis Oriental Misamis Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital and provincial center is Cagayan de Oro City...	Cagayan de Oro	Region X Northern Mindanao Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...	1,302,851	19	3,515.70	41		14
Mountain Province Mountain Province Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...	Bontoc Bontoc, Mountain Province Bontoc is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Mountain Province. According to the latest census, it has a population of 24,798 people in 5,035 households....	CAR 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...	148,661	75	2,157.38	60		71
Negros Occidental Negros Occidental Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...	Bacolod Bacolod Bacolod may refer to the following:*Bacolod City, the capital city of Negros Occidental, Philippines*Metro Bacolod*Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, a municipality in Lanao del Norte, Philippines*BRP Bacolod City , a transport ship of the Philippine Navy...	Region VI Western Visayas Western Visayas, one of the regions of the Philippines, is designated as Region VI. It consists of six provinces; Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo and 16 cities making it the region with the highest number of cities. Iloilo City is the regional center...	2,869,766	2	7,965.21	9		15
Negros Oriental Negros Oriental Negros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists...	Dumaguete	Region VII Central Visayas Central Visayas, designated as Region VII, is a region of the Philippines located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It consists of four provinces—Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor— and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City....	1,231,904	22	5,385.53	21		36
Northern Samar Northern Samar Northern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and is located at the northern portion of the island of Samar. Bordering the province to the south are the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar...	Catarman Catarman, Northern Samar Catarman is a first class Municipality in the Philippines. It is the capital and largest town in terms of both land area and population in the province of Northern Samar. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 81,067 making it the most populous municipality in Eastern Visayas...	Region VIII Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...	549,759	48	3,692.93	37		53
Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City...	Palayan	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	1,853,853	13	5,751.33	17		19
Nueva Vizcaya Nueva Vizcaya Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...	Bayombong Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya Bayombong is a 1st class municipality in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Nueva Vizcaya. According to the latest census, it has a population of 54,417 people in 10,693 households.-Barangays:...	Region II Cagayan Valley Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...	397,837	63	4,378.80	30		66
Occidental Mindoro Occidental Mindoro Occidental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans". Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro, on the west by Apo East Pass, and on the south by the Mindoro Strait; Oriental Mindoro is...	Mamburao Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro Mamburao is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Occidental Mindoro. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 34,487 people and has 20,344 registered voters...	Region IV-B	421,592	61	5,865.71	16		70
Oriental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines located in the island of Mindoro under MIMAROPA region in Luzon, about 140 km southwest of Manila...	Calapan	Region IV-B	735,769	35	4,238.38	32		48
Palawan	Puerto Princesa	Region IV-B	892,660	30	17,030.75	1		77
Pampanga	San Fernando	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	2,226,444	9	2,044.99	64		4
Pangasinan Pangasinan Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...	Lingayen Lingayen, Pangasinan Lingayen is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the capital municipality and the seat of government of the province of Pangasinan. According to the latest census, it has a population of 95,773 people in 16,467 households.Lingayen...	Region I Ilocos Region The Ilocos region or Region I is a Region of the Philippines and is located in the northwest of Luzon. It borders to the east the regions of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley and to the south the region of Central Luzon...	2,645,395	5	5,451.08	20		8
Quezon Quezon -History:Originally, what now forms Quezon was divided among the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The area was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571-1572, during his expedition from Laguna to Camarines provinces....	Lucena	Region IV-A CALABARZON CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...	1,882,900	12	8,926.01	8		41
Quirino Quirino Quirino is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Cabarroguis and was named after Elpidio Quirino, the sixth President of the Philippines. The province borders Aurora to the southeast, Nueva Vizcaya to the west, and Isabela to the north...	Cabarroguis Cabarroguis, Quirino Cabarroguis is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Quirino, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Quirino. According to the latest census, it has a population of 28,024 people in 5,336 households.-External links:*****...	Region II Cagayan Valley Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...	163,610	72	3,486.16	43		78
Rizal	Antipolo Antipolo Antipolo is a city in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population...	Region IV-A CALABARZON CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...	2,284,046	7	1,175.76	73		1
Romblon Romblon Romblon is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region. It lies south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate. Its capital is also named Romblon....	Romblon Romblon, Romblon Romblon is a 3rd class municipality which is capital of the Romblon province, Philippines. , it had a population of 37,544.-Barangays:Romblon is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.* Agbaluto* Agpanabat* Agbudia* Agnaga* Agnay* Agnipa...	Region IV-B	279,774	65	1,533.45	68		46
Samar	Catbalogan	Region VIII Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...	695,149	40	6,048.03	14		61
Sarangani	Alabel Alabel, Sarangani Alabel is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sarangani, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Sarangani. According to the latest census, it has a population of 71,872 people in 12,312 households....	Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN SOCCSKSARGEN is a region of the Philippines, located in central Mindanao, and is officially designated as Region XII. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City...	475,514	59	3,601.25	39		55
Siquijor Siquijor Siquijor is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is the municipality also named Siquijor. To the northwest of Siquijor are Cebu and Negros, to the northeast is Bohol and to the south, across the Bohol Sea, is Mindanao.Siquijor is the third...	Siquijor Siquijor, Siquijor Siquijor is a 4th class municipality in the province of Siquijor, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Siquijor. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,150 people in 4,498 households.-Barangays:...	Region VII Central Visayas Central Visayas, designated as Region VII, is a region of the Philippines located in the central part of the Visayas island group. It consists of four provinces—Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor— and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City....	87,695	77	337.49	77		28
Sorsogon Sorsogon Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City and borders the province of Albay to the north...	Sorsogon City Sorsogon City Sorsogon City is a 2nd class city in Sorsogon, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province of Sorsogon The city is located at southernmost tip province of Luzon. This city was formed by merging the Bacon and Sorsogon towns. The city serves a trans-shipment point from the Visayas and...	Region V Bicol Region The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...	709,673	38	2,119.01	62		17
South Cotabato South Cotabato South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east...	Koronadal	Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN SOCCSKSARGEN is a region of the Philippines, located in central Mindanao, and is officially designated as Region XII. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City...	1,296,797	20	4,428.81	29		21
Southern Leyte Southern Leyte Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...	Maasin	Region VIII Eastern Visayas Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...	390,847	64	1,797.22	67		40
Sultan Kudarat	Isulan Isulan, Sultan Kudarat Isulan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. It is the provincial capital of the Province of Sultan Kudarat...	Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN SOCCSKSARGEN is a region of the Philippines, located in central Mindanao, and is officially designated as Region XII. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City...	675,644	41	5,251.34	23		57
Sulu	Jolo Jolo, Sulu Jolo is a municipality on the island of Jolo, and the capital and largest town of the province of Sulu. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 87,998 people in 12,814 households. Part of its population is of Chinese descent, mainly from Singapore...	ARMM 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...	849,670	31	2,135.25	61		13
Surigao del Norte Surigao del Norte Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...	Surigao	Region XIII Caraga Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995...	530,281	53	3,009.27	49		47
Surigao del Sur Surigao del Sur ' is a province of the Philippines located in the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City and borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to the west, and Davao Oriental to the south...	Tandag Tandag, Surigao del Sur Tandag is a and the provincial capital of the province of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 44,327 people in 8,449 households.-Barangays:Tandag is politically subdivided into 21 barangays....	Region XIII Caraga Caraga is an administrative region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act No. 7901 on February 25, 1995...	541,347	51	4,925.18	24		63
Tarlac	Tarlac City Tarlac City The City of Tarlac is a 1st class city in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. Tarlac provincial capitol building is shown on the back of the Philippines 500 peso note that features former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr...	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	1,243,449	21	2,736.64	52		12
Tawi-Tawi Tawi-Tawi Tawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . The capital of Tawi-Tawi is Bongao. The province is the southernmost of the country sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and the Indonesian East Kalimantan province. To the...	Bongao Bongao, Tawi-Tawi Bongao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 58,174 people in 10,146 households.-History:...	ARMM 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...	450,346	60	3,426.55	45		56
Zambales Zambales Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains. With a land area of...	Iba Iba, Zambales Iba is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Zambales. According to the latest census, it has a population of 44,344 people in 7,260 households....	Region III Central Luzon Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...	720,355	37	3,714.40	36		43
Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...	Dipolog	Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula Zamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...	907,238	29	7,301.00	11		59
Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...	Pagadian	Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula Zamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...	1,688,685	16	5,914.16	15		22
Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf...	Ipil Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay Ipil is a 1st class municipality in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Zamboanga Sibugay...	Region IX Zamboanga Peninsula Zamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...	546,186	50	3,607.75	38		52
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...	Manila Manila Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...  (Regional center)	NCR 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...	11,553,427	--	636	--		--

NOTES:

• All population and land area figures include cities independent from provinces. In this table, they are counted as part of the province to which they are often grouped for statistical purposes, but in actuality they are first-level entities on their own right.
• 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...
  
   is included for comparison although it is not a province but an administrative region.
• Land area figures taken from 2009 IRA computation factors.
• Population figures taken from National Statistics Office.

History

When the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 acquired the Philippines from Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

 in 1898, the islands were divided into four gobiernos (governments), which were further subdivided into provinces and districts. The American administration initially inherited the Spanish divisions and placed them under military government. As insurgencies were pacified, civil government was gradually organized.

• 1900-11-23: Civil government of the province of Benguet
  Benguet
  Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....
  
   established through Act No. 49. Capital moved to Baguio.

• 1901-02-06: Act No. 83 ("The Provincial Government Act") enacted by the Philippine Commission
  Philippine Commission
  The Philippine Commission was a body appointed by the President of the United States to exercise legislative and limited executive powers in the Philippines. It was first appointed by President William McKinley in 1901. Beginning in 1907, it acted as the upper house of a bicameral Philippine...
  
  .

• 1901-02-13: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Pampanga
  Pampanga
  Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
  
   through Act No. 85.

• 1901-02-16: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Pangasinan
  Pangasinan
  Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
  
   through Act No. 86. Towns of Balungao, Rosales
  Rosales, Pangasinan
  Rosales is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. It is sometimes called as Carmen, Pangasinan based on its progressive barangay, Carmen...
  
  , San Quintin
  San Quintin, Pangasinan
  San Quintin is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 30,556 people in 5,667 households .-Barangays:San Quintin is politically subdivided into 21 barangays....
  
   and Umingan annexed from Nueva Ecija
  Nueva Ecija
  Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City...
  
  .

• 1901-02-18: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Tarlac through Act No. 87.

• 1901-02-27: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Bulacan through Act No. 88. Capital moved to Malolos.

• 1901-03-02: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Bataan
  Bataan
  Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
  
   through Act No. 92.

• 1901-03-12: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Tayabas through Act No. 103. Capital moved to Lucena
  Lucena City
  Metro Lucena has an estimated population of 700,000 which is mostly concentrated in the flat south-central portion of Quezon, which includes the cities of Lucena and Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria, Lucban & Pagbilao . The people are often characterized as friendly and hardworking...
  
  .

• 1901-03-16: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Romblon, elevated from Spanish-era status of District, through Act No. 104.

• 1901-03-18: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Masbate, elevated from Spanish-era status of District, through Act No. 105.

• 1901-04-11: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Iloilo, formed through the merging of the Spanish-era Province of Iloilo with the Comandancia of Concepcion, through Act No. 113.

• 1901-04-13: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Antique through Act No. 114.

• 1901-04-15: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Capiz
  Capiz
  Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
  
   through Act No. 115.

• 1901-04-18: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Cebu through Act No. 116.

• 1901-04-20: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Bohol
  Bohol
  Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
  
   through Act No. 117.

• 1901-04-22: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Leyte through Act No. 121.

• 1901-04-26: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Albay
  Albay
  Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
  
   through Act No. 122.

• 1901-04-27: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Ambos Camarines
  Ambos Camarines
  Ambos Camarines , commonly known as Camarines, was a historical province in the Philippines found on the northern end of the Bicol Peninsula. It now exists as two separate provinces: Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur....
  
   through Act No. 123.

• 1901-04-30: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Sorsogon through Act No. 124.

• 1901-05-01: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Occidental Negros and Oriental Negros through Acts No. 119 and 120, respectively, enacted on April 20, 1901; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to newly created Marinduque
  Marinduque
  In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
  
   through Act No. 125.

• 1901-05-02: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Batangas through Act No. 126.

• 1901-05-15: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Surigao, elevated from Spanish-era status of District, through Act No. 127; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Misamis
  Misamis (province)
  Misamis is an old province of the Philippines. Now consist of the present provinces of Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.-History:...
  
   through Act No. 128.

• 1901-06-11: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to newly created 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,...
  
  , formed through the merging of the Politico-Military District of Morong with the entire province of Manila
  Manila (province)
  Manila, also formerly known as Tondo, was a historical province in the Philippines, encompassing the former Kingdom of Tondo and Kingdom of Maynila. In 1898, it included the City of Manila and 23 other municipalities. It was incorporated into the Province of Rizal in 1901.-Cities and...
  
   except the territory of the city of Manila
  Manila
  Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
  
  , through Act No. 137; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Cavite
  Cavite
  Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
  
   through Act No. 138. Annexed Lubang
  Lubang Island
  Lubang Island is the largest island in the Lubang Group of Islands, an archipelago which lies to the northwest of the northern end of Mindoro in the Philippines. The Lubang Islands are about southwest of Manila. There are seven islands in the group, The island is divided into two municipalities. ...
  
   and adjacent islands to the province. Provincial government provided an option to move capital from the town of Cavite
  Cavite City
  The City of Cavite is a fourth class city in the province of Cavite, Philippines. The city occupies a hook shaped peninsula jutting out into Manila Bay. Cavite City used to be the capital of the province...
  
  ; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Nueva Ecija
  Nueva Ecija
  Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City...
  
   through Act No. 139. Provincial government provided an option to move capital from the town of San Isidro
  San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
  San Isidro is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the latest Philippine census, it has a population of 44,687 people in 8,340 households....
  
  .

• 1901-07-16: Catanduanes
  Catanduanes
  Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur across Maqueda Channel. As of 2007, the population of the province is 232,757 people.-Etymology:"Isla de Cobos" was Catanduanes' first...
  
   annexed to Albay
  Albay
  Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
  
   through Act No. 169.

• 1901-07-17: Batangas, Bohol
  Bohol
  Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
  
   and Cebu placed under the control of military governors through Act No. 173.

• 1901-08-15: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to La Union
  La Union (province)
  La Union is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region or Region 1 in Luzon, whose capital is San Fernando City and borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, and Pangasinan to the south. To the west of La Union is the South China Sea.-People and culture:Ninety-three...
  
   through Act No. 203.

• 1901-08-16: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
  
   through Act No. 205.

• 1901-08-19: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Abra, excluding its territory east of the crest of the Cordillera Central, through Act No. 206.

• 1901-08-20: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Ilocos Norte
  Ilocos Norte
  Ilocos Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is Laoag City and is located at the northwest corner of Luzon Island, bordering Cagayan and Apayao to the east, and Abra and Ilocos Sur to the south...
  
   through Act No. 207.

• 1901-08-22: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Cagayan through Act No. 209. The Babuyan Islands
  Babuyan Islands
  The Babuyan Islands form an archipelago located in the Luzon Strait north of Luzon island in the Philippines. It is separated from Luzon by the Babuyan Channel and from the Batanes Islands to its north by the Balintang Channel....
  
   and the Spanish-era province of Batanes
  Batanes
  The Province of Batanes , also called the Batanes Islands, is a Philippine province comprising ten islands that are located in the Luzon Strait between the islands of Luzon and Taiwan...
  
   annexed to the province.

• 1901-08-24: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Isabela through Act No. 210.

• 1901-08-28: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Zambales
  Zambales
  Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains. With a land area of...
  
   through Act No. 211.

• 1902-01-01: Civil government of the Province of Cebu restored through Act No. 322 enacted on December 20, 1901.

• 1902-01-28: Civil government of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...
  
   established through Act No. 337.

• 1902-04-01: Civil government of the Province of Bohol
  Bohol
  Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
  
   restored through Act No. 365 enacted on March 3, 1902.

• 1902-05-28: Spanish-era comandancias of Amburayan, Bontoc
  Mountain Province
  Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
  
   and Lepanto organized into sub-provinces under the new province of Lepanto-Bontoc through Act No. 410. Areas between Abra and Cagayan not yet placed under the jurisdiction of any province annexed as part of the sub-province of Bontoc
  Mountain Province
  Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
  
  .

• 1902-06-12: Spanish-era districts of El Principe and Infanta
  Infanta, Quezon
  Infanta is a First class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 60,346. It has a land area of 130.1 km², representing 1.5% of the area of Quezon. It is located 144 kilometers northeast of Manila, and 136 kilometers north of...
  
  , including the Polillo Islands, annexed to Tayabas through Act No. 417.

• 1902-06-17: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to Samar through Act No. 419.

• 1902-06-23: Civil government of the Province of Paragua
  Palawan
  Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
  
   established through Act No. 422; Mindoro, Lubang
  Lubang Island
  Lubang Island is the largest island in the Lubang Group of Islands, an archipelago which lies to the northwest of the northern end of Mindoro in the Philippines. The Lubang Islands are about southwest of Manila. There are seven islands in the group, The island is divided into two municipalities. ...
  
   and surrounding small islands annexed to Marinduque
  Marinduque
  In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
  
   through Act No. 423.

• 1902-07-01: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to La Laguna through Act No. 424.

• 1902-11-10: Marinduque
  Marinduque
  In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
  
   annexed to Tayabas through Act No. 499; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to newly created Mindoro
  Mindoro (province)
  Mindoro was a province of the Philippines from 1921 until 1950 when it was split into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. It is located on Mindoro island.- Pre-History and Indigenous Civilization:...
  
  , separated from Marinduque
  Marinduque
  In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
  
   through Act No. 500.

• 1903-05-14: Cagayancillo, Balabac and the rest of Palawan Island
  Palawan Island
  Palawan Island is the largest island of the Palawan Province, Philippines. The northern coast of the island is along the South China Sea, while the southern coast forms part of the northern limit of the Sulu Sea. This island is very undeveloped and traditional...
  
   (south of Tapul and Ulugan rivers) annexed to Paragua
  Palawan
  Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
  
   through Act No. 747. Provincial government provided the option to choose capital between Cuyo
  Cuyo, Palawan
  Cuyo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,257 people in 3,609 households....
  
   or Puerto Princesa.

• 1903-05-26: Spanish-era Comandancia of Kayapa annexed to Benguet
  Benguet
  Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....
  
   through Act No. 768.

• 1903-07-15: Moro Province
  Moro Province
  Moro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
  
   formed, composed of the districts of Cotabato, Davao, Lanao, Sulu, and Zamboanga through Act No. 787 enacted on June 1, 1903.

• 1905-04-01: Abra annexed to Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
  
   as sub-province through Act No. 1306 enacted on February 27, 1905.

• 1907-10-08: Catanduanes
  Catanduanes
  Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur across Maqueda Channel. As of 2007, the population of the province is 232,757 people.-Etymology:"Isla de Cobos" was Catanduanes' first...
  
   established as sub-province of Albay
  Albay
  Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
  
   through Act No. 1331.

• 1905-06-28: Name of Paragua changed to Palawan
  Palawan
  Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
  
   through Act No. 1363.

• 1906-01-01: Masbate annexed to Sorsogon as sub-province through Act No. 1413 enacted on November 23, 1905.

• 1907-05-09: Apayao and Kalinga established as sub-provinces of Cagayan and Lepanto-Bontoc, respectively, through Act No. 1648.

• 1907-07-15: Romblon
  Romblon
  Romblon is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region. It lies south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate. Its capital is also named Romblon....
  
   (except the island of Maestro de Campo
  Concepcion, Romblon
  Concepcion is a municipality in the island of Maestro de Campo or Sibale in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 4,683 people in 1,063 households.-Population of Concepcion at various times:...
  
  , annexed to Mindoro
  Mindoro (province)
  Mindoro was a province of the Philippines from 1921 until 1950 when it was split into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. It is located on Mindoro island.- Pre-History and Indigenous Civilization:...
  
  ) annexed to Capiz
  Capiz
  Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
  
   as sub-province through Act No. 1665 enacted on July 2, 1907.

• 1907-08-10: Marinduque
  Marinduque
  In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
  
   declared a sub-province of Tayabas through Act No. 1649 enacted on May 17, 1907.

• 1907-08-20: Act No. 1693 creates Agusan (composed of the sub-provinces of Butuan and Bukidnon
  Bukidnon
  Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.Bukidnon is...
  
  ), and establishes Batanes
  Batanes
  The Province of Batanes , also called the Batanes Islands, is a Philippine province comprising ten islands that are located in the Luzon Strait between the islands of Luzon and Taiwan...
  
   as a sub-province of Cagayan
  Cagayan
  Cagayan , the "Land of Smiling Beauty", is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Tuguegarao City and is located at the northeastern corner of the island of Luzon. Cagayan also includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte...
  
  .

• 1907-10-08: Siquijor established as sub-province of Negros Oriental
  Negros Oriental
  Negros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists...
  
   through Act No. 1753.

• 1908-08-18: Mountain Province
  Mountain Province
  Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
  
  , with seven sub-provinces, formed by merging territories of the entire province of Lepanto-Bontoc (with Amburayan, Bontoc, Kalinga and Lepanto sub-provinces); the district in the province of Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...
  
   that formerly the comprised the Spanish-era Comandancia of Quiangan (annexed as Ifugao sub-province); the entire province of Benguet
  Benguet
  Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....
  
   except Baguio City
  Baguio City
  The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
  
   (annexed as Benguet sub-province); and Apayao sub-province in Cagayan, through Act No. 1876.

• 1909-05-20: Batanes
  Batanes
  The Province of Batanes , also called the Batanes Islands, is a Philippine province comprising ten islands that are located in the Luzon Strait between the islands of Luzon and Taiwan...
  
   re-established as province, separated from Cagayan through Act No. 1952.

• 1913-12-20: Act No. 2309 renames Moro Province
  Moro Province
  Moro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
  
   to Department of Mindanao and Sulu
  Department of Mindanao and Sulu
  The Department of Mindanao and Sulu was an agency of the United States colonial administration in the Philippine Islands tasked to administer all Muslim-dominated areas in the territory. It was established on July 23, 1914, pursuant to Act No. 2408, replacing the Moro Province after the latter was...
  
   and annexes Agusan (with Bukidnon
  Bukidnon
  Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.Bukidnon is...
  
   sub-province) to the Department. Department of Mindanao and Sulu formally organized on January 1, 1914.

• 1914-09-01: Department of Mindanao and Sulu
  Department of Mindanao and Sulu
  The Department of Mindanao and Sulu was an agency of the United States colonial administration in the Philippine Islands tasked to administer all Muslim-dominated areas in the territory. It was established on July 23, 1914, pursuant to Act No. 2408, replacing the Moro Province after the latter was...
  
   provided with autonomous government through Act No. 2408 enacted on July 23, 1914. Bukidnon
  Bukidnon
  Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.Bukidnon is...
  
   sub-province and the former Moro Province districts of Cotabato, Davao
  Davao Region
  Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...
  
  , Lanao
  Lanao (province)
  Lanao Province was one of the former provinces of the Philippines from 1914 to 1959. Today the province comprises of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.-History:...
  
  , Sulu and Zamboanga
  Zamboanga (province)
  Zamboanga is a former province of the Philippines located in the western region of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.-Creation:During the time of the United States' purchase of the Philippines of 1898, the Republic of Zamboanga had its own independence and jurisdiction on what is now...
  
   converted to provinces.

• 1917-03-09: Abra re-established as regular province, separated from Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
  
   through Act No. 2683.

• 1917-12-07: Romblon re-established as regular province, separated from Capiz
  Capiz
  Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
  
   through Act No. 2724.

• 1919-03-03: Ambos Camarines
  Ambos Camarines
  Ambos Camarines , commonly known as Camarines, was a historical province in the Philippines found on the northern end of the Bicol Peninsula. It now exists as two separate provinces: Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur....
  
   divided into Camarines Norte
  Camarines Norte
  Camarines Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Daet and the province borders Quezon to the west and Camarines Sur to the south.-Demographics:...
  
   and Camarines Sur
  Camarines Sur
  Camarines Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south...
  
   through Act No. 2809.

• 1920-02-04: Act No. 2877 abolishes Amburayan sub-province in the Mountain Province
  Mountain Province
  Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
  
   by annexing its municipal entities to Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
  
   and La Union
  La Union (province)
  La Union is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region or Region 1 in Luzon, whose capital is San Fernando City and borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, and Pangasinan to the south. To the west of La Union is the South China Sea.-People and culture:Ninety-three...
  
  ; Lepanto sub-province reduced in size by annexing some of its municipal entities to Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur
  Ilocos Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Vigan City, located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the provincial capital...
  
   and Benguet
  Benguet
  Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....
  
  .

• 1920-11-21: Marinduque
  Marinduque
  In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:...
  
   re-established as regular province, separated from Tayabas through Act No. 2880.

• 1920-12-15: Masbate re-established as regular province, separated from Sorsogon through Act No. 2934.

• 1923-03-27: Leyte
  Leyte
  Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
  
   divided into Occidental Leyte and Oriental Leyte through Act No. 3117, but never proclaimed by the governor-general.

• 1939-11-28: Division of Misamis
  Misamis (province)
  Misamis is an old province of the Philippines. Now consist of the present provinces of Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.-History:...
  
   into Misamis Occidental
  Misamis Occidental
  Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City...
  
   and Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital and provincial center is Cagayan de Oro City...
  
   implemented by virtue of Act No. 3777 (enacted on November 29, 1930), the law that amended Act No. 3537 (enacted on November 2, 1929) which first sought the division.

• 1940-06-08: Provincial government of Romblon abolished, municipal governments reorganized into four "special municipalities" through Commonwealth Act No. 581.

• 1945-10-26: Catanduanes
  Catanduanes
  Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur across Maqueda Channel. As of 2007, the population of the province is 232,757 people.-Etymology:"Isla de Cobos" was Catanduanes' first...
  
   established as regular province, separated from Albay
  Albay
  Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
  
   through Commonwealth Act No. 687 enacted on September 26, 1945.

• 1946-09-07: Name of Tayabas changed to Quezon through Republic Act No. 14.

• 1946-10-01: CA 581 repealed and Romblon's provincial and municipal governments restored through Republic Act No. 38.

• 1950-06-13: Mindoro
  Mindoro (province)
  Mindoro was a province of the Philippines from 1921 until 1950 when it was split into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. It is located on Mindoro island.- Pre-History and Indigenous Civilization:...
  
   divided into Occidental Mindoro
  Occidental Mindoro
  Occidental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans". Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro, on the west by Apo East Pass, and on the south by the Mindoro Strait; Oriental Mindoro is...
  
   and Oriental Mindoro
  Oriental Mindoro
  Oriental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines located in the island of Mindoro under MIMAROPA region in Luzon, about 140 km southwest of Manila...
  
   through Republic Act No. 505.

• 1951-06-14: Aurora established as sub-province of Quezon through Republic Act No. 648.

• 1952-06-06: Zamboanga
  Zamboanga (province)
  Zamboanga is a former province of the Philippines located in the western region of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.-Creation:During the time of the United States' purchase of the Philippines of 1898, the Republic of Zamboanga had its own independence and jurisdiction on what is now...
  
   divided into Zamboanga del Norte
  Zamboanga del Norte
  Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
  
   and Zamboanga del Sur
  Zamboanga del Sur
  Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
  
   through Republic Act No. 711.

• 1956-04-25: Aklan
  Aklan
  Aklan is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas. Its capital is Kalibo. It is located at the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique Province to the southwest, and Capiz Province to the east...
  
   separated from Capiz
  Capiz
  Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north...
  
   through Republic Act No. 1414.

• 1956-06-22: Camiguin
  Camiguin
  Camiguin is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about off the northern coast of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. It is the second-smallest province both in population and land area after Batanes...
  
   established as sub-province of Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital and provincial center is Cagayan de Oro City...
  
   through Republic Act No. 2021.

• 1959-04-08: Biliran
  Biliran
  In 1945 liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was landed in Biliran with the local guerrilla forces by the attack of the Japanese troops from the island during the Battle of Biliran during World War II.-Conversion:On April...
  
   established as sub-province of Leyte through Republic Act No. 2141.

• 1959-05-22: Lanao
  Lanao (province)
  Lanao Province was one of the former provinces of the Philippines from 1914 to 1959. Today the province comprises of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.-History:...
  
   province divided into Lanao del Norte
  Lanao del Norte
  Lanao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod. The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated...
  
   and 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...
  
   through Republic Act No. 2228.

• 1959-07-01: Southern Leyte
  Southern Leyte
  Southern Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Maasin City is the capital of the province. Southern Leyte was once a sub-province of Leyte before it was divided from the latter...
  
   separated from Leyte through Republic Act No. 2227 approved on May 22, 1959.

• 1960-06-19: Surigao divided into Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...
  
   and Surigao del Sur
  Surigao del Sur
  ' is a province of the Philippines located in the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City and borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to the west, and Davao Oriental to the south...
  
   through Republic Act No. 2786.

• 1965-11-19: Plebiscite approves the division of Samar into Eastern Samar
  Eastern Samar
  Eastern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Borongan.-Location:...
  
  , Northern Samar
  Northern Samar
  Northern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and is located at the northern portion of the island of Samar. Bordering the province to the south are the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar...
  
  , and Western Samar by virtue of Republic Act No. 4221 enacted on June 19, 1965.

• 1966-06-18: Guimaras
  Guimaras
  Guimaras is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Among the smallest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros...
  
   established as sub-province of Iloilo through Republic Act No. 4667; Camiguin
  Camiguin
  Camiguin is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about off the northern coast of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao. It is the second-smallest province both in population and land area after Batanes...
  
   established as regular province, separated from Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital and provincial center is Cagayan de Oro City...
  
   through Republic Act No. 4669; Benguet
  Benguet
  Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....
  
   re-established, and Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao
  Kalinga-Apayao
  During the Counter-Insurgency under the Japanese Occupation since 1942 to 1945 after the Japanese Invasion, many local Igorot and Cordilleran guerrillas was the fighting siege and invasions around the plains in Kalinga-Apayao in Mountain Province from the few months and three years and aiding the...
  
   created, from Mountain Province
  Mountain Province
  Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
  
   through Republic Act No. 4695; Quirino established as sub-province of Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...
  
   through Republic Act No. 4734; South Cotabato
  South Cotabato
  South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east...
  
   separated from Cotabato through Republic Act No. 4849.

• 1967-05-08: Davao
  Davao Region
  Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...
  
   province divided into Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south...
  
  , Davao del Sur
  Davao del Sur
  Davao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Digos City. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, and Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani to the west. To the east lies the Davao Gulf...
  
  , and Davao Oriental
  Davao Oriental
  Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost...
  
   through Republic Act No. 4867.

• 1967-11-14: Plebiscite approves the division of Agusan into Agusan del Norte
  Agusan del Norte
  Agusan del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga, a region in Mindanao. Its capital is Cabadbaran City and it borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Surigao del Sur to the east, Agusan del Sur to the south, and Misamis Oriental to the west...
  
   and Agusan del Sur
  Agusan del Sur
  Agusan del Sur is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Prosperidad and borders, from the north clockwise, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis...
  
   by virtue of Republic Act No. 4979 enacted on June 17, 1967.

• 1969-06-21: Name of Western Samar province changed to Samar through Republic Act No. 5650.

• 1969-08-04: Samal sub-province created from Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south...
  
   through Republic Act No. 5999, but never inaugurated.

• 1971-11-11: Plebiscites approve the establishment of Quirino and Siquijor as regular provinces by virtue of Republic Act No. 6394 (approved on September 10, 1971) and Republic Act No. 6398 (approved on September 17, 1971), separating them from Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya
  Nueva Vizcaya is a province of the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Bayombong. It is bordered by, clockwise from the north, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet.-History, people and culture:The name was derived from the...
  
   and Negros Oriental
  Negros Oriental
  Negros Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. It occupies the south-eastern half of the island of Negros, with Negros Occidental comprising the north-western half. It also includes Apo Island — a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists...
  
  , respectively.

• 1971-10-04: Maranaw province created from 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...
  
   through Republic Act No. 6406, remained unorganized due to the disruption caused by the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines
  Martial Law in the Philippines
  Martial law in the Philippines refers to the period of Philippine history where Philippine Presidents declare a proclamation to control unpacified places under the rule of Military, it is usually given when threatened by popular protests, or to crack down on the opposition...
  
  .

• 1972-06-17: Name of Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south...
  
   changed to Davao through Republic Act No. 6430.

• 1973-09-11: Tawi-Tawi
  Tawi-Tawi
  Tawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . The capital of Tawi-Tawi is Bongao. The province is the southernmost of the country sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and the Indonesian East Kalimantan province. To the...
  
   separated from Sulu through Presidential Decree No. 302.

• 1973-11-22: Cotabato divided into Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat
  Sultan Kudarat (province)
  Sultan Kudarat is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Isulan and borders Maguindanao and Cotabato to the north, South Cotabato and Sarangani to the south, and Davao del Sur to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the west.-HISTORY:Sultan Kudarat...
  
   through Presidential Decree No. 341.

• 1973-12-27: 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...
  
   province created through Presidential Decree No. 356 out of most of the territory of the City of Basilan, which itself was delimited to only the downtown area of what is now 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...
  
  , then finally abolished by Presidential Decree No. 840 in 1975.

• 1975-11-07: 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...
  
   established through Presidential Decree No. 824, composed of the four chartered cities of Manila
  Manila
  Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
  
  , Caloocan, Pasay
  Pasay City
  The City of Pasay is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.Pasay City was one of the original four...
  
   and Quezon City
  Quezon City
  Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
  
  , and several municipalities of 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,...
  
   and Bulacan
  Bulacan
  Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
  
  , all of which effectively became independent from provincial supervision.

• 1979-08-13: Aurora proclaimed a regular province, separated from Quezon
  Quezon
  -History:Originally, what now forms Quezon was divided among the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The area was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571-1572, during his expedition from Laguna to Camarines provinces....
  
   through Batas Pambansa Blg. 7 enacted on November 21, 1978. Plebiscite held on May 20, 1979 approves provincehood.

• 1984-03-07: Name of North Cotabato province changed to Cotabato through Batas Pambansa Blg. 660.

• 1986-01-03: Plebiscite approves the separation of Negros del Norte from Negros Occidental
  Negros Occidental
  Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...
  
   by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 885 enacted on December 3, 1985.

• 1986-08-18: BP No. 885 found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Negros del Norte reverts as part of Negros Occidental
  Negros Occidental
  Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...
  
  .

• 1992-05-11: Plebsicites affirm the establishment of Biliran
  Biliran
  In 1945 liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was landed in Biliran with the local guerrilla forces by the attack of the Japanese troops from the island during the Battle of Biliran during World War II.-Conversion:On April...
  
   and Guimaras
  Guimaras
  Guimaras is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Among the smallest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros...
  
   as regular provinces, separating them from Leyte and Iloilo, respectively, by virtue of Section 462 of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) approved on October 10, 1991; Plebiscite approves the separation of Sarangani from South Cotabato
  South Cotabato
  South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east...
  
   by virtue of Republic Act No. 7228 approved on March 16, 1992.

• 1995-05-08: Plebiscite approves the division of Kalinga-Apayao
  Kalinga-Apayao
  During the Counter-Insurgency under the Japanese Occupation since 1942 to 1945 after the Japanese Invasion, many local Igorot and Cordilleran guerrillas was the fighting siege and invasions around the plains in Kalinga-Apayao in Mountain Province from the few months and three years and aiding the...
  
   into Apayao and Kalinga by virtue of Republic Act No. 7878 approved on July 25, 1994.

• 1998-03-07: Plebiscite approves the separation of Compostela Valley
  Compostela Valley
  Compostela Valley is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. The province, called Comval for short, used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. It is the third newest province of the Philippines, behind Dinagat Islands and Zamboanga...
  
   from Davao
  Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south...
  
   by virtue of Republic Act No. 8470 approved on January 30, 1998. Name of Davao changed back to Davao del Norte.

• 2001-02-22: Plebiscite approves the separation of Zamboanga Sibugay
  Zamboanga Sibugay
  Zamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf...
  
   from Zamboanga del Sur
  Zamboanga del Sur
  Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
  
   by virtue of Republic Act No. 8973 approved on November 7, 2000.

• 2006-10-28: Plebiscite
  Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, 2006
  The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan from Maguindanao province in the Philippines. The results were announced on October 31, 2006.Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan of ARMM and his father, Gov...
  
   approves the separation 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:...
  
   from Maguindanao by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 enacted on August 28, 2006.

• 2006-12-02: Plebiscite approves the separation of Dinagat Islands from Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...
  
   by virtue of Republic Act No. 9355 approved on October 2, 2006.

• 2008-11-18: MMA Act No. 201 declared void
  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...
  
   by the Supreme Court, 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:...
  
   reverts as part of Maguindanao.

• 2010-02-11: RA No. 9355 found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Dinagat Islands reverts as part of Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...
  
  .

• 2011-03-30: Supreme Court reverses it decision on Dinagat Islands and became a province once again.

Formally proposed provinces

Note: This section lists only those proposals that reached the stage where legislation was enacted for the purpose of establishing a province or sub-province, but never achieved corporate existence.

• Occidental Leyte and Oriental Leyte (1923) Leyte
  Leyte
  Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
  
   was divided into two new provinces by Act No. 3117 on March 27, 1923. The division never took place, however, as no proclamation was issued by the Governor-General
  Governor-General of the Philippines
  The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....
  
  .
  • The province of Oriental Leyte would have covered the present-day territories of the entire province of Biliran, the municipalities of Abuyog, Alangalang, Babatngon, Barugo, Burauen, Calubian, Capoocan, Carigara, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Javier, Julita, La Paz, Leyte, MacArthur, Mahaplag, Mayorga, Palo, Pastrana, San Isidro, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Tabango, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Tolosa, Tunga and Tacloban City (which was designated as the provincial capital).
  • The province of Occidental Leyte would have covered the present-day territories of the entire province of Southern Leyte, the municipalities of Albuera, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Matalom, Mérida, Palompon, Villaba and the cities of Baybay and Ormoc. The province capital of Occidental Leyte "SEC. 2. ... shall be designated by the Governor-General, until determined by a plurality vote of the electors of the new province at the next general election."
• Samal (1969) The sub-province of Samal was created by Republic Act No. 5999 and covered the area of the present-day Island Garden City of Samal
  Island Garden City of Samal
  Island Garden City of Samal is a 2nd class city in the province of Davao del Norte, Philippines. The name is often abbreviated into IGaCoS...
  
  . However, the sub-province was never inaugurated.
• Maranaw (1971) Republic Act No. 6406, which sought to create a new province out of eastern 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...
  
   (now corresponding to the province's first congressional district), was approved on October 4, 1971. The province was to consist of the municipalities of Bubong
  Bubong, Lanao del Sur
  Bubong is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,003 people in 2,404 households.-Barangays:Bubong is politically subdivided into 36 barangays.-External links:**...
  
  , Ditsaan-Ramain
  Ditsaan-Ramain, Lanao del Sur
  Ditsaan-Ramain is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,157 people in 2,682 households.-Barangays:Ditsaan-Ramain is politically subdivided into 35 barangays....
  
   (including what is now Buadiposo-Buntong
  Buadiposo-Buntong, Lanao del Sur
  Buadiposo-Buntong is a 5th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,535 people in 1,938 households.-Barangays:Buadiposo-Buntong is politically subdivided into 33 barangays....
  
  ), Kapai
  Kapai, Lanao del Sur
  Kapai is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 16,564 people in 2,270 households.-Barangays:Kapai is politically subdivided into 20 barangays.* calala's village...
  
  , Lumba-Bayabao
  Lumba-Bayabao, Lanao del Sur
  Lumba-bayabao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 23,521 people in 3,632 households....
  
   (including what is now Maguing
  Maguing, Lanao del Sur
  Maguing is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,095 people in 2,734 households.-Barangays:Maguing is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.* Agagan* Balagunun...
  
  ), Marantao
  Marantao, Lanao del Sur
  Marantao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 24,647 people in 3,598 households.-Barangays:Marantao is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.* Bacayawan...
  
  , Masiu
  Masiu, Lanao del Sur
  Masiu is a first class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 24,105 people in 3,466 households.-Barangays:Masiu is politically subdivided into 35 barangays.* Abdullah Buisan...
  
  , Mulondo
  Mulondo, Lanao del Sur
  Mulondo formerly known as Bato Intan, geographically situated at the farthest East part of Masiu,one of the four Principalities of Lanao the governing bodies of the Lanao Sultanate. Strategically located in the 1st District of Lano del Sur . Mulondo is a 3rd class municipality in the province of...
  
  , Saguiaran
  Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur
  Saguiaran is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 22,636 people in 3,074 households. It is a town just outside Marawi City....
  
  , Piagapo
  Piagapo, Lanao del Sur
  Piagapo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 23,903 people in 3,487 households.-Barangays:Piagapo is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.* Aposong...
  
  , Poona Bayabao
  Poona Bayabao, Lanao del Sur
  Poona Bayabao is a 5th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,390 people in 2,452 households.-Barangays:...
  
  , Tamparan
  Tamparan, Lanao del Sur
  Tamparan is a 5th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,975 people in 2,879 households.-Barangays:Tamparan is politically subdivided into 44 barangays.* Bocalan* Bangon...
  
  , Taraka
  Taraka, Lanao del Sur
  Taraka is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,832 people in 2,548 households.-Barangays:Taraka is politically subdivided into 43 barangays.* Bandera Buisan...
  
   and Wao
  Wao, Lanao del Sur
  Wao is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2011 census, it has a population of40,517 people in 15,505 households. go. -Barangays:...
  
   (including what is now Bumbaran
  Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur
  Bumbaran is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 6,589 people in 1,133 households.-Barangays:Bumbaran is politically subdivided into 17 barangays....
  
  ), with the chartered city of Marawi serving as the new province's capital. Lanao del Sur was to retain the remaining municipalities, with Malabang
  Malabang, Lanao del Sur
  Malabang is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 33,177 people in 4,883 households.-Municipality Mayor Anwar Balindong:...
  
   serving as its new capital. Section 4 of RA 6406 provided that "The new provinces as provided in this Act shall come into existence upon the election and qualification of their first elective provincial officials, who shall be elected in a special election simultaneously with the general elections of November, nineteen hundred and seventy-three." The division never took place due to the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines
  Martial Law in the Philippines
  Martial law in the Philippines refers to the period of Philippine history where Philippine Presidents declare a proclamation to control unpacified places under the rule of Military, it is usually given when threatened by popular protests, or to crack down on the opposition...
  
   on September 21, 1972, which disrupted the scheduled general elections for 1973 and paved the way for the adoption of a new Constitution
  Constitution of the Philippines
  The Constitution of the Philippines is the supreme law of the Philippines.The Constitution currently in effect was enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and is popularly known as the "1987 Constitution"...
  
   and the establishment of the Fourth Philippine Republic. A legacy of this unimplemented division is the existence of two ZIP code series for Lanao del Sur: the 93- series was retained by what were to be the remaining towns of the province (with Malabang, the new capital, being reassigned the code 9300), while a new series (97-) was assigned to what was supposed to be the province of Maranaw (with Marawi City getting the new code 9700).
• Isabela del Norte and Isabela del Sur (1995) On February 20, 1995 Republic Act No. 7891, which sought to divide the province of Isabela, was approved. Isabela del Norte was to comprise municipalities belonging to the province's first and second congressional districts with Ilagan
  Ilagan, Isabela
  Ilagan is a 1st-class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. It is the capital municipality and the largest town of Isabela...
  
   serving as capital. Isabela del Sur was to consist of the third and fourth congressional districts (excluding the independent component city of Santiago
  Santiago City
  The City of Santiago is a city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 126,244 people in 22,401 households. Santiago is situated 79 kilometers south of Ilagan, the provincial capital, and about 326 kilometers North of Metro Manila...
  
  ), with Cauayan
  Cauayan City
  Cauayan City is a 1st class city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Cauayan City is the Agro-Industrial Capital of Cagayan Valley and The Commercial Center of The Province of Isabela...
  
   as the capital. The proposed division was rejected in a plebiscite held on June 20, 1995.
• Quezon del Norte and Quezon del Sur (2007) The act dividing the province of Quezon
  Quezon
  -History:Originally, what now forms Quezon was divided among the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The area was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571-1572, during his expedition from Laguna to Camarines provinces....
  
   into two, Republic Act No. 9495, lapsed into law without the President's signature on September 7, 2007. Quezon del Norte was to be composed of the first and second congressional districts of the province, with Lucena City
  Lucena City
  Metro Lucena has an estimated population of 700,000 which is mostly concentrated in the flat south-central portion of Quezon, which includes the cities of Lucena and Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria, Lucban & Pagbilao . The people are often characterized as friendly and hardworking...
  
   as its capital. Quezon del Sur, with its capital at Gumaca
  Gumaca, Quezon
  The Municipality of Gumaca is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 63,778.-History:...
  
  , would have been composed of the third and fourth congressional districts. The COMELEC held the plebiscite on December 13, 2008
  Quezon del Sur creation plebiscite, 2008
  The Quezon del Sur creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Quezon del Sur from Quezon; the original Quezon province would have been renamed to "Quezon del Norte" had the plebiscite been approved by the residents of Quezon...
  
   and majority of the votes cast rejected the division.

Defunct provinces

• Manila
  Manila (province)
  Manila, also formerly known as Tondo, was a historical province in the Philippines, encompassing the former Kingdom of Tondo and Kingdom of Maynila. In 1898, it included the City of Manila and 23 other municipalities. It was incorporated into the Province of Rizal in 1901.-Cities and...
  
   (until 1901) made defunct after being incorporated into Rizal.
• Lepanto-Bontoc (1902–1908) made defunct after being incorporated into the Mountain Province
  Mountain Province
  Mountain Province is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc and borders, clockwise from the south, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Isabela.Mountain Province is sometimes incorrectly named Mountain in some...
  
  .
• Moro Province
  Moro Province
  Moro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
  
   (1903–1913) made defunct after being converted to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu
  Department of Mindanao and Sulu
  The Department of Mindanao and Sulu was an agency of the United States colonial administration in the Philippine Islands tasked to administer all Muslim-dominated areas in the territory. It was established on July 23, 1914, pursuant to Act No. 2408, replacing the Moro Province after the latter was...
  
  , composed of seven provinces.
• Ambos Camarines
  Ambos Camarines
  Ambos Camarines , commonly known as Camarines, was a historical province in the Philippines found on the northern end of the Bicol Peninsula. It now exists as two separate provinces: Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur....
  
   (1901–1908) made defunct after being divided into Camarines Norte
  Camarines Norte
  Camarines Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Daet and the province borders Quezon to the west and Camarines Sur to the south.-Demographics:...
  
   and Camarines Sur
  Camarines Sur
  Camarines Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south...
  
  , although the wording of Act No. 2809 implies that it is Camarines Norte that was created from Ambos Camarines, which was re-designated as Camarines Sur. Camarines Sur retained the provincial capital of Nueva Caceres
  Naga City
  The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
  
  .
• Misamis
  Misamis (province)
  Misamis is an old province of the Philippines. Now consist of the present provinces of Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.-History:...
  
   (1901–1939) made defunct after being divided into Misamis Occidental
  Misamis Occidental
  Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City...
  
   and Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental
  Misamis Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital and provincial center is Cagayan de Oro City...
  
  . Misamis Oriental retained the provincial capital of Cagayan
  Cagayan de Oro City
  Cagayan de Oro; , officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines...
  
  .
• Mindoro
  Mindoro (province)
  Mindoro was a province of the Philippines from 1921 until 1950 when it was split into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. It is located on Mindoro island.- Pre-History and Indigenous Civilization:...
  
   (1902–1950) made defunct after being divided into Occidental Mindoro
  Occidental Mindoro
  Occidental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. "Home of the Indigenous Mangyans". Its capital is Mamburao and occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro, on the west by Apo East Pass, and on the south by the Mindoro Strait; Oriental Mindoro is...
  
   and Oriental Mindoro
  Oriental Mindoro
  Oriental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines located in the island of Mindoro under MIMAROPA region in Luzon, about 140 km southwest of Manila...
  
  . Oriental Mindoro retained the provincial capital of Calapan.
• Zamboanga
  Zamboanga (province)
  Zamboanga is a former province of the Philippines located in the western region of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.-Creation:During the time of the United States' purchase of the Philippines of 1898, the Republic of Zamboanga had its own independence and jurisdiction on what is now...
  
   (1914–1952) made defunct after being divided into Zamboanga del Norte
  Zamboanga del Norte
  Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
  
   and Zamboanga del Sur
  Zamboanga del Sur
  Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
  
  . The de jure provincial capital of Molave
  Molave, Zamboanga del Sur
  Molave is a 1st class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. It has a population of 48,215 as of Aug 1, 2007 census. The name "Molave" refers to the hard, strong and resilient tree that abounds in the place during the 1950s. It was created through the efforts of Congressman...
  
   was placed under the jurisdiction of Zamboanga del Sur which had its capital in Pagadian.
• Lanao
  Lanao (province)
  Lanao Province was one of the former provinces of the Philippines from 1914 to 1959. Today the province comprises of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.-History:...
  
   (1914–1959) made defunct after being divided into Lanao del Norte
  Lanao del Norte
  Lanao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod. The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated...
  
   and 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...
  
  . Lanao del Sur retained the provincial capital of Marawi (formerly Dansalan).
• Surigao (1901–1967) made defunct after being divided into Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte
  Surigao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Surigao City. The province consists of two major islands—Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Island—in the Philippine Sea, and a small region at the northernmost tip of the island of...
  
   and Surigao del Sur
  Surigao del Sur
  ' is a province of the Philippines located in the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City and borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to the west, and Davao Oriental to the south...
  
  . Surigao del Norte retained the provincial capital of Surigao
  Surigao City
  The City of Surigao The City of Surigao The City of Surigao (Filipino Pronunciation: (sů-rēh-GAŮ) ( Filipino: Lungsod ng Surigao; Surigaonon: Siyudad nan Surigao) located at the northeasternmost tip of Mindanao Island in the Philippines and the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte,...
  
   and the seal of the old province.
• Davao
  Davao Region
  Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao...
  
   (1914–1967; 1972–1998) made defunct after being divided into Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte
  Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south...
  
  , Davao del Sur
  Davao del Sur
  Davao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Digos City. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, and Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani to the west. To the east lies the Davao Gulf...
  
   and Davao Oriental
  Davao Oriental
  Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost...
  
  . Davao del Norte was officially known as Davao from 1972 to 1998.
• Agusan (1907–1967) made defunct after being divided into Agusan del Norte
  Agusan del Norte
  Agusan del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Caraga, a region in Mindanao. Its capital is Cabadbaran City and it borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Surigao del Sur to the east, Agusan del Sur to the south, and Misamis Oriental to the west...
  
   and Agusan del Sur
  Agusan del Sur
  Agusan del Sur is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Prosperidad and borders, from the north clockwise, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis...
  
  . Agusan del Norte retained the provincial capital of Butuan
  Butuan City
  The City of Butuan is the regional center of Caraga, serving as an administrative region of the Philippines; it is a highly urbanized city. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley, Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del...
  
  .
• Negros del Norte (1985–1986) Batas Pambansa Blg. 885, which created a new province out of the northern portion of Negros Occidental
  Negros Occidental
  Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...
  
  , took effect on December 23, 1985, with a plebiscite to ratify the law held on January 3, 1986. The province was composed of what are now the cities of Cadiz
  Cadiz City
  Cadiz City is a 2nd class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 141,954 people in 26,998 households. The city is 65 kilometers north of Bacolod City....
  
   (which was to serve as the capital), Escalante
  Escalante City
  Escalante City is a 4th class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 92,035 people in 19,324 households. Melecio Jabian Yap, Jr. is the current Mayor of the City while Ester M. Ampil is the current Vice-Mayor of the City. The...
  
  , Sagay
  Sagay City
  Sagay City is a 3rd class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.Sagay can be easily identified in the map of Negros Occidental, because of its “ice-cream cone” shape sliced from the northern tip of Negros...
  
  , San Carlos
  San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
  San Carlos City is a 2nd class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The settlement was elevated to city status on July 1, 1960 per Republic Act 2643...
  
  , Silay
  Silay City
  Silay City is a 2nd class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the August 1, 2007 census, it had a total population of 120,365 people...
  
   and Victorias
  Victorias City
  Victorias City is a 4th class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 81,743 people in 15,361 households....
  
  , as well as the municipalities of Calatrava
  Calatrava, Negros Occidental
  Calatrava is a 1st class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 74,623 people in 15,151 households. The current mayor is Araceli Somosa.-Barangays:...
  
  , Enrique B. Magalona
  Enrique B. Magalona, Negros Occidental
  Enrique B. Magalona is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 54,490 people in 10,498 households....
  
  , Manapla
  Manapla, Negros Occidental
  Manapla is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 49,581 people in 9,512 households.-Barangays:Manapla is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.* Chambery...
  
  , Salvador Benedicto
  Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
  Salvador Benedicto is a 4th class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,259 people in 3,456 households....
  
   and Toboso
  Toboso, Negros Occidental
  Toboso is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 40,712 people in 8,060 households. The current mayor is Evelio Valencia.-Economy:...
  
  . Although the creation of the new province was ratified by voters in the proposed new province, 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...
  
   declared Batas Pambansa Blg. 885, as well as the proclamation of the province of Negros del Norte, null and void on July 11, 1986 after ruling that the enabling law was unconstitutional for, among other things, not including residents of the rest of Negros Occidental in the plebiscite, and the proposed province not meeting the land area requirement (as per the Local Government Code of 1983) of 3,500 square kilometers.
• Kalinga-Apayao
  Kalinga-Apayao
  During the Counter-Insurgency under the Japanese Occupation since 1942 to 1945 after the Japanese Invasion, many local Igorot and Cordilleran guerrillas was the fighting siege and invasions around the plains in Kalinga-Apayao in Mountain Province from the few months and three years and aiding the...
  
   (1966–1995) made defunct after being divided into Apayao and Kalinga. Kalinga retained the provincial capital of Tabuk
  Tabuk, Kalinga
  Tabuk is a city and the capital of the province of Kalinga in the Philippines. It borders with the town of Pinukpuk in the north and the town of Rizal in the northeast. On its westernmost section it shares border with the towns of Pasil and Lubuagan. On the southwest it borders with the town 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:...
  
   (2006–2008) By virtue of the expanded powers conferred to 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...
  
   by Republic Act No. 9054, especially pertaining to the power to create provinces as provided for in the Act's Article VI, Section 19, the ARMM 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...
  
   enacted Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 on August 28, 2006. The said Act created a new province composed of all the municipalities in the first congressional district of Maguindanao, excluding the city of Cotabato
  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...
  
  , with its capital at Datu Odin Sinsuat
  Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
  Datu Odin Sinsuat is a 2nd class municipality in Maguindanao province, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 71,569 people in 13,270 households....
  
  . The province's creation was approved by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite
  Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite, 2006
  The Shariff Kabunsuan creation plebiscite was a plebiscite on the creation of the Province of Shariff Kabunsuan from Maguindanao province in the Philippines. The results were announced on October 31, 2006.Gov. Datu Zaldy Ampatuan of ARMM and his father, Gov...
  
   held on October 28, 2006. Responding to requests for clarification regarding the composition of the congressional district of Shariff Kabunsuan for the 2007 elections
  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...
  
  , specifically whether Cotabato City was included in the representation of the new province, the COMELEC
  Commission 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....
  
   issued Resolution No. 7845 which initially held Cotabato City to be the sole remaining LGU comprising the first congressional district of Maguindanao. The COMELEC later amended this with Resolution No. 7902 which maintained the status quo before the creation of the new province. The COMELEC resolutions became the subject of a case
  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...
  
   in which the Supreme Court opined that because "the power to create new a province or city inherently involves the power to create a legislative district"—a power that 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...
  
  did not explicitly delegate to the ARMM Regional Assembly—the creation of a province by a lower legislative body (the ARMM Regional Assembly) will necessarily entail the creation of a legislative district for a higher legislative body (Congress). Therefore on July 16, 2008 the Supreme Court declared Section 19, Article VI of RA No. 9054 unconstitutional, MMA Act No. 201 void, and COMELEC Resolution No. 7902 valid.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code Interactive, National Statistical Coordination Board
• 2007 Census of Population Results, National Statistics Office, Republic of the Philippines
• The Local Government Code of the Philippines, Department of Interior and Local Government, Republic of the Philippines
• DILG Regional Office No. 5 Provincial Offices Directory
• Region V LGU Profiles
• Provinces of the Philippines, Gwillim Law, Statoids.com
• Flags of the World Philippines Provincial Flags