The document summarizes the evolution and current state of local governments in the Philippines. It discusses the pre-Hispanic barangays that formed the earliest political units. It then describes how the Spanish introduced centralism through pueblos, cabildos and provinces. American rule saw townships formed but centralism remained. The 1991 Local Government Code granted authentic local autonomy by devolving powers from the national to local levels. It also details the different types of local units - barangays, municipalities, cities, provinces - and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

2. In the Philippines

4. The cities, municipalities, and provinces of today evolved
from the barangays of pre-Spanish times, the pueblos and
cabildos of the Spanish colonial days and the townships
of the American regime.

5. The Barangays
The pre-Spanish barangays were the first political and social
organizations of the Philippines. A barangay was a settlement
of some 30 to 100 families and a governmental unit in itself.

6. Spanish Conquest and Centralism
The lack of unity among the warring barangays made conquest
easier for the Spaniards. Gradually, the datus were shorn of
their powers. The Spaniards organized pueblos (municipalities),
Cabildos (cities), and provincias (provinces). The provinces
were established “for the convenience of administration and
constituted the immediate agencies through which the central
government could extend its authority on numerous villages.”
In place of the barangays, barrios were established, and the
datus were made into cabezas de barangay whose only
remaining function was the collection of taxes for the Spanish
government.

7. Local Governments during the First Philippine Republic
The importance of local governments was recognized by
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini in their program
of government for the First Philippine Republic. Fillipino leaders
knew that “if a strong and enduring Filipino nation was to be
established, it must be able to maintain itself in all emergencies,
and the whole political fabric must be well founded on an
efficient system of local governments.
The Malolos Constitution provided a separate article on local
government (Title XI, Article 82). Local autonomy was made
explicit in the introductory portion which stipulated that
“the organization and powers of the provincial and municipal
assemblies shall be governed by their respective laws.”

8. Local Governments during the American Regime
The Americans contributed very little, if at all, to the
development of local autonomy. In fact, national-local
relationship reverted to the strong centralism that
characterized the Spanish colonial regime. .”
The Commission’s blueprint for town organization provided
for a President to be elected viva voce by residents of the town
with the approval of the Commanding Officer. His duty
consisted in the establishment of a police force, collection of
taxes, enforcement of regulations on market and sanitation,
establishment of schools, and the provision for lighting
facilities.

9. The Commonwealth and Centralism
The forms and patterns of local government during the
American civil administration remained essentially the same
during the Commonwealth period. The only notable changes
were the transfer of central supervision from the Executive
Bureau to the Department of Interior and the creation of more
chartered cities.
President Quezon, the central figure of the government during
this period, even argued against autonomy in the cities, hinting
that “under the unitary system of government which exists in
the Philippines, the national chief executive does and should
control all local offices.”

10. Local Governments under the Republic
The national government was supreme and local governments
were merely its political and administrative subdivisions. Most
of the formal and real powers are vested and exercised by the
national government. Local units, however, possessed a certain
degree of autonomy.
During Marcos's authoritarian years (1972-86), a Ministry of
Local Government was instituted to invigorate provincial,
municipal, and barangay governments. But, Marcos's real
purpose was to establish lines of authority that bypassed
provincial governments and ran straight to Malacañang. All
local officials were beholden to Marcos, who could appoint or
remove any provincial governor or town mayor.

11. Local Governments at present
After the People's Power Revolution, the new Aquino
government decided to replace all the local officials who had
served Marcos. Corazon Aquino delegated this task to her
political ally, Aquilino Pimentel. Pimentel named officers in
charge of local governments all across the nation. Local officials
elected in 1988 were to serve until June 1992, under the
transitory clauses of the new constitution. Thereafter, terms of
office were to be three years, with a three-term limit.
On October 10, 1991, The Local Government Code 1991 (R.A.
7160) was signed into law. This Code ordained an authentic and
workable local autonomy through the devolution of certain
powers from the national government to the local governments.

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

13. Municipalities and cities are composed of barangays, and
they may be further subdivided into smaller areas called
purók (English: zone), and sitio, which is a territorial enclave
inside a barangay, especially in rural areas. In writing,
barangay is sometimes abbreviated to "Brgy." or "Bgy.". As
of June 28, 2011 there are a total of 42,026 barangays
throughout the Philippines.
SEC. 384. Role of the Barangay.
- As the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the
primary planning and implementing unit of government
policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the
community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of
the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered,
and where disputes may be amicably settled.

14. MUNICIPALITY
A municipality (Filipino: bayan; munisipalidad) is a local
government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also
called towns (which is actually a better translation of "bayan").
They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of
local government unit (LGU).

15. They have been granted corporate personality enabling them
to enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern their
jurisdictions. They can enter into contracts and other
transactions through their elected and appointed officials and
can tax. The National Government assists and supervises
the local government to make sure that they do not violate
national law. Local Governments have their own executive and
legislative branches and the checks and balances between
these two major branches, along with their separation, are
more pronounced than that of the national government.
The Judicial Branch of the Republic of the Philippines also
caters to the needs of local government units. Local
governments, such as a municipalities, do not have their own
judicial branch: their judiciary is the same as that of the
national government.

16. A municipality, upon reaching a certain requirements-minimum
population size, and minimum annual revenue-may opt to
become a city. First, a bill must be passed in Congress, then
signed into law by the President and then the residents would
vote in the succeeding plebiscite to accept or reject cityhood.
One benefit in being a city is that the city government gets
more budget, but taxes are much higher than in municipalities.
As of September 30, 2009 there are 1,514 municipalities.
SEC. 440. Role of the Municipality.
-The municipality, consisting of a group of barangays, serves
primarily as a general purpose government for the coordination
and delivery of basic, regular and direct services and effective
governance of the inhabitants within its territorial jurisdiction.

17. CITY
A city (lungsod, or sometimes siyudad in Filipino and Tagalog)
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 political
powers of subnational government entities.

18. Only an Act of Congress can create or amend a city charter, and
with this city charter Congress confers to a city certain powers
that regular municipalities or even other cities may not have.
Despite the differences in the powers accorded to each city,
all cities regardless of status are given special treatment in terms
of being given a bigger share of the internal revenue allotment
(IRA) compared to regular municipalities, as well as being
generally more autonomous than regular municipalities.
There are twelve metropolitan areas in the Philippines as
defined by the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA). Metro Manila is the largest conurbation or urban
agglomeration in the country, and its official metropolitan area
is composed of the city of Manila plus 15 neighboring cities
and a municipality. Other metropolitan areas are centered
around the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, Angeles, Olongapo,
Batangas, Naga, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Davao
and Zamboanga City.

19. Classification
The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160)
classifies all cities into one of three categories:
Highly Urbanized Cities - Cities with a minimum population of
two hundred thousand (200,000) inhabitants, as certified by
the National Statistics Office, and with the latest annual income
of at least Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00) based on 1991
constant prices, as certified by the city treasurer. There are
currently 33 highly urbanized cities in the Philippines, 16 of
them located in Metro Manila.

20. Independent Component Cities - Cities whose charters prohibit
their voters from voting for provincial elective officials.
Independent component cities are independent of the province.
There are five such cities: Dagupan, Cotabato, Naga,
Ormoc and Santiago.
Component Cities - Cities which do not meet the above
requirements are considered component cities of the province
in which they are geographically located. If a component city
is located within the boundaries of two (2) or more provinces,
such city shall be considered a component of the province of
which it used to be a municipality.

21. Income classification
Cities 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 PHP 400 million or more
Second PHP 320 million or more but less than PHP 400 million
Third PHP 240 million or more but less than PHP 320 million
Fourth PHP 160 million or more but less than PHP 240 million
Fifth PHP 80 million or more but less than PHP 160 million
Sixth below PHP 80 million

22. SEC. 448. Role of the City. –
The city, consisting of more urbanized and developed barangays,
serves as a general-purpose government for the coordination
and delivery of basic, regular, and direct services and effective
governance of the inhabitants within its territorial jurisdiction.

23. PROVINCE
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and
administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80
provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities
and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as
independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial
government. Each province is administered by an elected
governor who oversees various local government entities.

24. 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 ₱ 450 million or more
Second ₱ 360 million or more but less than ₱ 450 million
Third ₱ 270 million or more but less than ₱ 360 million
Fourth ₱ 180 million or more but less than ₱ 270 million
Fifth ₱ 90 million or more but less than ₱ 180 million
Sixth below ₱ 90 million

25. SEC. 459. Role of the Province. –
The province, composed of a cluster of municipalities, or
municipalities and component cities, and as a political and
corporate unit of government, serves as a dynamic mechanism
for developmental processes and effective governance of local
government units within its territorial jurisdiction.

26. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the
Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim
provinces, namely: Basilan (except Isabela City), Lanao del Sur,
Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has
its own government. The regional capital is at Cotabato City,
although this city is outside of its jurisdiction.

27. The ARMM previously included the province of Shariff
Kabunsuan until July 16, 2008, when Shariff
Kabunsuan ceased to exist as a province after the
Supreme Court in Sema v. Comelec declared
unconstitutional the "Muslim Mindanao Autonomy
Act 201", which created it.

28. Establishment of the ARMM
The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao region was first
created on August 1, 1989 through Republic Act No. 6734 (otherwise
known as the Organic Act) in pursuance with a constitutional
mandate to provide for an autonomous area in Muslim Mindanao. A
plebiscite was held in the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del
Sur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, South
Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte and
Zamboanga del Sur; and in the cities of
Cotabato, Dapitan, Dipolog, General
Santos, Koronadal, Iligan, Marawi, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa and
Zamboanga to determine if their residents would want to be part of
the ARMM. Of these areas, only four provinces - Lanao del
Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi - voted favorably for inclusion
in the new autonomous region. The ARMM was officially
inaugurated on November 6, 1990 in Cotabato City, which was
designated as its provincial capital.

29. Population Area Pop. density
Province Capital
(2000) (km²) (per km²)
Basilan Isabela City 408,520 1,994.1 204.9
Lanao del Sur Marawi 1,138,544 12,051.9 94.5
Maguindanao Shariff Aguak 1,273,715 7,142.0 178.3
Shariff Datu Odin
103,715 7,142.0 178.3
Kabunsuan Sinsuat
Sulu Jolo 849,670 2,135.3 397.9
Tawi-Tawi Bongao 450,346 3,426.6 131.4

30. ARMM Organizational Structure
Executive
The region is headed by a Regional Governor. The Regional Governor
and Regional Vice Governor are elected directly like regular local
executives. Regional ordinances are created by the Regional
Assembly, composed of Assemblymen, also elected by direct vote.
Regional elections are usually held one year after general elections
(national and local) depending on what legislation from the
Philippine Congress. Regional officials have a fixed term of three
years, which can be extended by an act of Congress.
The Regional Governor is the chief executive of the regional
government, and is assisted by a cabinet not exceeding 10 members.
He appoints the members of the cabinet, subject to confirmation by
the Regional Legislative Assembly. He has control of all the regional
executive commissions,
agencies, boards, bureaus and offices.

31. Term Governor Party Vice Governor Party
1990–1993 Zacaria Candao Lakas-NUCD Benjamin Loong Lakas-NUCD
Lakas-NUCD- Lakas-NUCD-
1993–1996 Lininding Pangandaman Nabil Tan
UMDP UMDP
Lakas-NUCD- Lakas-NUCD-
1996–2002 Nurallaj Misuari Guimid P. Matalam
UMDP UMDP
Lakas-NUCD-
2001 Alvarez Isnaji
UMDP
Lakas-NUCD- Lakas-NUCD-
2001–2005 Parouk S. Hussin Mahid M. Mutilan
UMDP UMDP
Lakas Kampi Lakas Kampi
2005–2009 Zaldy Ampatuan Ansaruddin-Abdulmalik A. Adiong
CMD CMD
Ansaruddin-Abdulmalik A. Lakas Kampi Lakas Kampi
2009–2011 Reggie Sahali-Generalea
Adionga CMD CMD
2011–Present Mujiv Sabbihi Hataman Anak Mindanao Hadja Bainon Karonb Liberal

32. Legislative
The ARMM has a unicameral Regional Legislative Assembly
headed by a Speaker. It is composed of three members for
every congressional district. The current membership is 24,
where 6 are from Lanao del Sur including Marawi City, 6 from
Maguindanao, 6 from Sulu, 3 from Basilan and 3 from Tawi-
Tawi.
The Regional Legislative Assembly is the legislative branch of
the ARMM government. The regular members (3
members/district) and sectoral representatives, have 3-year
terms; maximum of 3 consecutive terms.

33. ARMM powers and basic principles
RA 9054 provides that ARMM "shall remain an integral and
inseparable part of the national territory of the Republic." The
President exercises general supervision over the Regional
Governor. The Regional Government has the power to create
its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and
charges, subject to Constitutional provisions and the provisions
of RA 9054. The Shariah applies only to Muslims; its
applications are limited by pertinent constitutional provisions
(prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment).