The Local Government Code of the Philippines was passed in 1991 to radically transform the country's centralized system of governance by empowering local government units. It aimed to decentralize power and authority by delegating more responsibilities and resources to provincial, city, municipal and barangay governments. This allows local communities to enact policies and implement programs in areas like agriculture, infrastructure, health, social services and environment. The objective of the Code is to support local development through more responsive local governance.

1. What is the purpose of the Local Government Code of the Philippines?
The Local Government Code signed in 1991 is considered one of the most revolutionary
pieces of legislation because it radically transformed the nature of our country’s
politically administered system. It uprooted the highly centralized decision-making by
empowering the local government units , placing upon them, as frontline institutions, the
responsibility of developing their respective territories. When it was passed, Nene said:
“The passage of the Code may be likened to the splitting of the atom in that it unleashes
the forces of development with such tremendous impact that not only the privileged, but
the masses as well may benefit from the fruits of modernization in this lifetime.” During
the launch of his second book, “The Local Government Revisited, 2007, then Makati
Mayor Jojo Binay described Pimentel as a “hero” and the book as “a Bible in its own
right, a national treasure.”
This Code establishes the system and defines powers of provincial, city, municipal and
barangay governments in the Philippines. It provides for a more responsive local
government structure instituted through a system of decentralization whereby Local
Government Units are delegated more powers, authority, responsibilities and resources.
It also empowers local governments to enact local tax measures, including real property
taxes and it assures the local governments a share in the national internal revenue.
The Code defines the powers of Local Government Units and specifies programmes
that are transferred to them, including: agricultural extension and on-site research;
infrastructure projects; field health and hospital services; social welfare services;
community-based forestry programmes and other investment support services.
The Code further provides for: powers of a city or municipality to authorize the
reclassification of lands; duties of national government agencies to maintain an
ecological balance; relations with people’s and non-governmental organizations;
settlement of boundary disputes; property and supply management in the local
government units; penalties; etc.
What is the main objective of the Local Government Code?
Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and
support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health
and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and
support the development of appropriate and self-reliant