There are 122 cities in the Philippines as of August 28, 2010. Thirty-eight cities are independent: 33 are classified as "highly urbanized" and 5 as "independent component;" the rest are component cities of the provinces in which they are geographically located. For more information on city and income classifications, please see classification of Philippine cities.
City | Province a | Region | Population (2007) b |
Area (km²) c |
Population density (per km²) |
Legal Class d | Income Class d |
Original city charter e |
Approval of charter f |
Date of effectivity / Ratification of city charter g |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Caloocan | -none- h | NCR | 1,378,856 | 53.33 | 25855.17 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 03278 | 1961-06-17 | 1962-02-16 |
Las Piñas | -none- i | NCR | 532,330 | 41.54 | 12814.88 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 08251 | 1997-02-12 | 1997-03-26 |
Makati b1 | -none- i | NCR | 510,383 | 21.57 | 23661.71 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 07854 | 1995-01-02 | 1995-02-04 |
Malabon | -none- i | NCR | 363,681 | 15.76 | 23076.21 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 09019 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-04-21 |
Mandaluyong | -none- i | NCR | 305,576 | 11.26 | 27138.19 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 07675 | 1994-02-09 | 1994-04-10 |
Manila | -none- | NCR | 1,660,714 | 38.55 | 43079.48 | Highly urbanized | Special class | Act 0183 | 1901-07-31 | 1901-07-31 |
Marikina | -none- i | NCR | 424,610 | 33.97 | 12499.56 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 08223 | 1996-11-06 | 1996-12-07 |
Muntinlupa | -none- i | NCR | 452,943 | 46.70 | 9698.99 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 07926 | 1995-03-01 | 1995-05-08 |
Navotas | -none- i | NCR | 245,344 | 10.77 | 22780.32 | Highly urbanized | 2nd class | RA 09387 | 2007-03-10 | 2007-06-24 |
Parañaque | -none- i | NCR | 552,660 | 47.69 | 11588.59 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 08507 | 1998-02-13 | 1998-03-22 |
Pasay | -none- h | NCR | 403,064 | 19.00 | 21213.89 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 00183 | 1947-06-21[1] | 1947-06-21 |
Pasig b2 | -none- i | NCR | 617,301 | 31.00 | 19912.94 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 07829 | 1994-12-08 | 1995-01-21 |
Quezon City | -none- h | NCR | 2,679,450 | 161.12 | 16630.15 | Highly urbanized | Special class | CA 502 | 1939-10-12 | 1939-10-12 |
San Juan | -none- i | NCR | 125,338 | 5.94 | 21100.67 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 09388 | 2007-03-11 | 2007-06-16 |
Taguig b3 | -none- i | NCR | 670,309 | 53.67 | 12489.45 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 08487 | 1998-02-11 | 2004-12-08 |
Valenzuela | -none- j | NCR | 568,928 | 44.58 | 12761.96 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 08526 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-12-30 |
Butuan | Agusan del Norte | Region 13 | 298,378 | 816.62 | 365.38 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 00523 | 1950-06-15[2] | 1950-06-15 |
Legazpi | Albay | Region 05 | 179,481 | 153.70 | 1167.74 | Component | 2nd class | RA 02234 | 1959-06-12 | 1959-06-12 |
Ligao | Albay | Region 05 | 101,179 | 246.75 | 410.05 | Component | 4th class | RA 09008 | 2001-02-21 | 2001-03-24 |
Tabaco | Albay | Region 05 | 123,513 | 117.14 | 1054.4 | Component | 4th class | RA 09020 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-24 |
Isabela | Basilan | Region 09 | 87,985 | 223.73 | 393.26 | Component | 4th class | RA 09023 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-04-25 |
Balanga | Bataan | Region 03 | 84,105 | 111.63 | 753.43 | Component | 4th class | RA 08984 | 2000-12-02 | 2000-12-30 |
Batangas City | Batangas | Region 04-A | 295,231 | 282.96 | 1043.37 | Component | 1st class | RA 05495 | 1969-06-21 | 1969-06-21 |
Lipa | Batangas | Region 04-A | 260,568 | 209.40 | 1244.36 | Component | 1st class | RA 00162 | 1947-06-20[3] | 1947-06-20 |
Tanauan | Batangas | Region 04-A | 142,537 | 107.16 | 1330.13 | Component | 2nd class | RA 09005 | 2001-02-02 | 2001-03-10 |
Baguio | Benguet | CAR | 450,526 | 57.51 | 5249.97 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | Act 1964 | 1909-09-01 | 1909-09-01 |
Tagbilaran | Bohol | Region 07 | 92,297 | 36.50 | 2528.68 | Component | 3rd class | RA 04660 | 1966-06-18 | 1966-07-01 |
Malaybalay | Bukidnon | Region 10 | 144,065 | 969.19 | 148.64 | Component | 1st class | RA 08490 | 1998-02-11 | 1998-03-22 |
Valencia | Bukidnon | Region 10 | 162,745 | 277.11 | 262 | Component | 2nd class | RA 08985 | 2000-12-05 | 2000-12-30 |
Malolos | Bulacan | Region 03 | 223,069 | 67.25 | 3317.01 | Urban Component | 3rd class[4] | RA 08754 | 1999-11-04 | 2002-10-08 |
Meycauayan | Bulacan | Region 03 | 196,569 | 32.10 | 6123.64 | Urban Component | 1st class | RA 09356 | 2006-10-02 | 2006-12-10 |
San Jose del Monte | Bulacan | Region 03 | 439,090 | 105.53 | 4160.81 | Component | 1st class | RA 08797 | 2000-07-15 | 2000-09-10 |
Tuguegarao | Cagayan | Region 02 | 129,539 | 144.80 | 894.61 | Component | 1st class | RA 08755 | 1999-11-04 | 1999-12-18 |
Iriga | Camarines Sur | Region 05 | 97,983 | 137.35 | 713.38 | Component | 4th class | RA 05261 | 1968-06-15[5] | 1968-06-15 |
Naga | Camarines Sur | Region 05 | 179,516 | 84.48 | 1900.05 | Independent component | 1st class | RA 00305 | 1948-06-18 | 1948-06-18 |
Roxas | Capiz | Region 06 | 147,738 | 95.07 | 1553.99 | Component | 2nd class | RA 00603 | 1951-04-11[6] | 1951-04-11 |
Cavite City | Cavite | Region 04-A | 104,581 | 10.89 | 9603.4 | Component | 4th class | CA 547 | 1940-05-26[7] | 1940-05-26 |
Dasmariñas | Cavite | Region 04-A | 556,330 | 90.10 | 6174.58 | Component | 1st Class | RA 09723 | 2009-10-15 | 2009-11-26 |
Tagaytay | Cavite | Region 04-A | 61,623 | 65.00 | 948.05 | Component | 2nd class | CA 338 | 1938-06-21 | 1938-06-21 |
Trece Martires | Cavite | Region 04-A | 90,177 | 39.10 | 2306.32 | Component | 4th class | RA 00981 | 1954-05-24 | 1956-01-01 |
Cebu City | Cebu | Region 07 | 798,809 | 315.00 | 2535.9 | Highly urbanized | n/a | CA 058 | 1936-10-20[8] | 1936-10-20 |
Danao | Cebu | Region 07 | 109,354 | 107.30 | 1019.14 | Component | 3rd class | RA 03028 | 1961-06-07 | 1961-06-07 |
Lapu-Lapu | Cebu | Region 07 | 292,530 | 58.10 | 5034.94 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 03134 | 1961-06-17[9] | 1961-06-17 |
Mandaue | Cebu | Region 07 | 318,575 | 25.18 | 12651.91 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 05519 | 1969-06-21[10] | 1969-06-21 |
Talisay | Cebu | Region 07 | 179,359 | 39.87 | 4498.6 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08979 | 2000-11-22 | 2000-12-30 |
Toledo | Cebu | Region 07 | 152,960 | 216.28 | 707.23 | Component | 3rd class | RA 02688 | 1960-06-18 | 1960-06-18 |
Kidapawan | Cotabato (North) | Region 12 | 117,610 | 358.47 | 328.09 | Component | 1st class | RA 08500 | 1998-02-12 | 1998-03-22 |
Panabo | Davao del Norte | Region 11 | 154,329 | 251.23 | 614.29 | Component | 3rd class | RA 09015 | 2001-02-28 | 2001-03-31 |
Samal | Davao del Norte | Region 11 | 90,291 | 301.30 | 299.67 | Component | 4th class | RA 08471 | 1998-01-30 | 1998-03-07 |
Tagum | Davao del Norte | Region 11 | 450,526 | 195.80 | 2300.95 | Component | 1st class | RA 08472 | 1998-01-30 | 1998-03-07 |
Davao City | Davao del Sur | Region 11 | 1,363,337 | 2,443.61 | 557.92 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | CA 051 | 1936-10-16[11] | 1936-10-16 |
Digos | Davao del Sur | Region 11 | 145,514 | 287.10 | 506.84 | Component | 2nd class | RA 08798 | 2000-06-15 | 2000-09-08 |
Laoag | Ilocos Norte | Region 01 | 102,457 | 101.88 | 1005.66 | Component | 3rd class | RA 04584 | 1965-06-19 | 1966-01-01 |
Candon | Ilocos Sur | Region 01 | 56,270 | 103.28 | 544.83 | Component | 4th class | RA 09018 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-28 |
Vigan | Ilocos Sur | Region 01 | 47,246 | 25.08 | 1883.81 | Component | 4th class | RA 08988 | 2000-12-27 | 2001-01-22 |
Iloilo City | Iloilo | Region 06 | 418,710 | 70.23 | 5961.98 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | CA 057 | 1936-10-20[12] | 1936-10-20 |
Passi | Iloilo | Region 06 | 76,045 | 251.39 | 302.5 | Component | 4th class | RA 08469 | 1998-01-30 | 1998-03-14 |
Cauayan | Isabela | Region 02 | 114,254 | 336.40 | 339.64 | Component | 3rd class | RA 09017 | 2001-02-28 | 2001-03-28 |
Santiago | Isabela | Region 02 | 126,244 | 1221.97 | 103.31 | Independent component | 1st class | RA 07720 | 1994-05-05 | 1994-07-03 |
San Fernando | La Union | Region 01 | 114,813 | 102.72 | 1117.73 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08509 | 1998-02-13 | 1998-03-20 |
Biñan | Laguna | Region 04-A | 262,735 | 43.50 | 6039.89 | Component | 1st class | RA 09740 | 2009-10-30 | 2010-02-03 |
Calamba | Laguna | Region 04-A | 360,281 | 149.50 | 2409.91 | Component | 1st class | RA 09024 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-04-21 |
San Pablo | Laguna | Region 04-A | 237,259 | 197.56 | 1200.95 | Component | 1st class | CA 520 | 1940-05-07[13] | 1940-05-07 |
Santa Rosa | Laguna | Region 04-A | 266,943 | 54.13 | 4931.52 | Component | 1st class | RA 09264 | 2004-03-10 | 2004-07-10 |
Iligan | Lanao del Norte | Region 10 | 308,046 | 813.37 | 378.73 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 00525 | 1950-06-16 | 1950-06-16 |
Marawi | Lanao del Sur | ARMM | 177,391 | 87.55 | 2026.17 | Component | 4th class | CA 592 | 1940-08-19[14] | 1940-08-19 |
Ormoc | Leyte | Region 08 | 177,524 | 613.60 | 289.32 | Independent component | 1st class | RA 00179 | 1947-06-21[15] | 1947-09-04 |
Tacloban | Leyte | Region 08 | 217,199 | 201.72 | 1076.74 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 00760 | 1952-06-20[16] | 1952-06-20 |
Cotabato City | Maguindanao | Region 12 | 259,153 | 176.00 | 1472.46 | Independent component | 3rd class | RA 02364 | 1959-06-20 | 1959-06-20 |
Masbate City | Masbate | Region 05 | 81,585 | 188.00 | 433.96 | Component | 4th class | RA 08807 | 2000-08-16 | 2000-09-30 |
Oroquieta | Misamis Occidental | Region 10 | 65,349 | 237.88 | 274.71 | Component | 4th class | RA 05518 | 1969-06-21 | 1970-01-01 |
Ozamiz | Misamis Occidental | Region 10 | 123,137 | 169.95 | 724.55 | Component | 3rd class | RA 00321 | 1948-06-19[17] | 1948-06-19 |
Tangub | Misamis Occidental | Region 10 | 56,644 | 162.78 | 347.98 | Component | 4th class | RA 05131 | 1967-06-17[18] | 1967-06-17 |
Cagayan de Oro | Misamis Oriental | Region 10 | 553,966 | 412.80 | 1341.97 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 00521 | 1950-06-15[19] | 1950-06-15 |
Gingoog | Misamis Oriental | Region 10 | 112,247 | 568.44 | 197.46 | Component | 2nd class | RA 02668 | 1960-06-18 | 1960-06-18 |
Bacolod | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 499,497 | 162.67 | 3070.62 | Highly urbanized | n/a | CA 326 | 1938-06-18[20] | 1938-06-18 |
Bago | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 159,933 | 401.20 | 398.64 | Component | 2nd class | RA 04382 | 1965-06-19[21] | 1966-01-01 |
Cadiz | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 150,750 | 524.57 | 287.38 | Component | 2nd class | RA 04894 | 1967-06-17[22] | 1967-06-17 |
Escalante | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 92,035 | 192.76 | 477.46 | Component | 4th class | RA 09014 | 2001-02-28 | 2001-03-31 |
Himamaylan | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 102,014 | 367.04 | 277.94 | Component | 3rd class | RA 09028 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-31 |
Kabankalan | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 166,970 | 697.35 | 239.44 | Component | 1st class | RA 08297 | 1997-06-06 | 1997-08-02 |
La Carlota | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 63,584 | 137.29 | 463.14 | Component | 4th class | RA 04585 | 1965-06-19 | 1966-01-22 |
Sagay | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 140,511 | 425.35 | 361 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08192 | 1996-06-11 | 1996-08-10 |
San Carlos | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 129,809 | 451.50 | 287.51 | Component | 2nd class | RA 02643 | 1960-06-18 | 1960-06-18 |
Silay | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 120,365 | 214.80 | 560.36 | Component | 3rd class | RA 01621 | 1957-06-12 | 1957-06-12 |
Sipalay | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 67,211 | 379.78 | 176.97 | Component | 4th class | RA 09027 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-31 |
Talisay | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 96,444 | 201.18 | 479.39 | Component | 4th class | RA 08489 | 1998-02-11 | 1998-03-21 |
Victorias | Negros Occidental | Region 06 | 88,149 | 133.92 | 658.22 | Component | 4th class | RA 08488 | 1998-02-11 | 1998-03-21 |
Bais | Negros Oriental | Region 07 | 74,702 | 319.64 | 233.71 | Component | 3rd class | RA 05444 | 1968-09-01 | 1968-09-01 |
Bayawan | Negros Oriental | Region 07 | 110,250 | 699.08 | 157.71 | Component | 2nd class | RA 08983 | 2000-12-05 | 2000-12-23 |
Canlaon | Negros Oriental | Region 07 | 50,208 | 170.93 | 293.73 | Component | 4th class | RA 03445 | 1961-06-18 | 1961-06-18 |
Dumaguete | Negros Oriental | Region 07 | 116,392 | 33.62 | 3461.99 | Component | 3rd class | RA 00327 | 1948-06-15[23] | 1948-06-15 |
Tanjay | Negros Oriental | Region 07 | 78,539 | 267.05 | 294.1 | Component | 4th class | RA 09026 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-31 |
Cabanatuan | Nueva Ecija | Region 03 | 259,267 | 282.75 | 916.95 | Component | 1st class | RA 00526 | 1950-06-15 | 1950-07-14 |
Gapan | Nueva Ecija | Region 03 | 98,795 | 164.44 | 600.8 | Component | 4th class | RA 09022 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-08-25 |
Muñoz | Nueva Ecija | Region 03 | 71,669 | 439.55 | 440 | Component | 4th class | RA 08977 | 2000-11-07 | 2000-12-09 |
Palayan b4 | Nueva Ecija | Region 03 | 32,790 | 101.40 | 323.37 | Component | 5th class | RA 04475 | 1965-06-19 | 1965-06-19 |
San Jose | Nueva Ecija | Region 03 | 122,353 | 185.99 | 657.85 | Component | 2nd class | RA 06051 | 1969-08-04 | 1969-08-04 |
Calapan | Oriental Mindoro | Region 04-B | 116,976 | 250.06 | 467.79 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08475 | 1998-02-02 | 1998-03-21 |
Puerto Princesa | Palawan | Region 04-B | 210,508 | 2,381.02 | 88.41 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 05906 | 1969-06-21[24] | 1969-06-21 |
Angeles b5 | Pampanga | Region 03 | 314,493 | 60.27 | 4745.63 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 03700 | 1963-06-22 | 1964-01-01 |
San Fernando | Pampanga | Region 03 | 269,365 | 67.74 | 3976.45 | Component | 1st class | RA 08990 | 2001-01-26 | 2001-02-03 |
Alaminos | Pangasinan | Region 01 | 79,788 | 164.26 | 485.74 | Component | 4th class | RA 09025 | 2001-03-05 | 2001-03-28 |
Dagupan | Pangasinan | Region 01 | 149,554 | 37.30 | 4009.49 | Independent component | 1st class | RA 00170 | 1947-06-20[25] | 1947-06-20 |
San Carlos | Pangasinan | Region 01 | 161,884 | 169.03 | 957.72 | Component | 3rd class | RA 04487 | 1965-06-19 | 1966-01-01 |
Urdaneta | Pangasinan | Region 01 | 120,785 | 100.26 | 1204.72 | Component | 2nd class | RA 08480 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-03-21 |
Tayabas | Quezon | Region 04-A | 100,000 | 301.8 | 331.35 | Component | 4th Class | RA 09398 | 2011-02-15 | |
Lucena | Quezon | Region 04-A | 236,390 | 80.21 | 2947.14 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 03271 | 1961-06-17[26] | 1961-06-17 |
Antipolo | Rizal | Region 04-A | 633,971 | 306.10 | 2071.12 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 08508 | 1998-02-13 | 1998-04-04 |
Calbayog | Samar (Western) | Region 08 | 163,657 | 880.74 | 185.82 | Component | 1st class | RA 00328 | 1948-07-15[27] | 1948-07-15 |
Sorsogon City | Sorsogon | Region 05 | 151,454 | 276.11 | 548.53 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08806 | 2000-08-16 | 2000-12-16 |
General Santos | South Cotabato | Region 12 | 529,542 | 492.86 | 1074.43 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 05412 | 1968-06-15 | 1968-06-15 |
Koronadal | South Cotabato | Region 12 | 149,622 | 277.00 | 540.15 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08803 | 2000-08-16 | 2000-10-08 |
Maasin | Southern Leyte | Region 08 | 79,737 | 211.71 | 376.63 | Component | 4th class | RA 08796 | 2000-07-11 | 2000-08-10 |
Tacurong | Sultan Kudarat | Region 12 | 82,546 | 153.40 | 538.11 | Component | 4th class | RA 08805 | 2000-08-16 | 2000-09-18 |
Surigao City | Surigao del Norte | Region 13 | 132,151 | 245.30 | 538.73 | Component | 1st class | RA 06134 | 1970-08-31 | 1970-08-31 |
Bislig | Surigao del Sur | Region 13 | 102,009 | 331.80 | 307.44 | Component | 3rd class | RA 08804 | 2000-08-16 | 2000-09-18 |
Tarlac City | Tarlac | Region 03 | 314,155 | 274.66 | 1143.8 | Component | 1st class | RA 08593 | 1998-03-12 | 1998-04-19 |
Olongapo | Zambales | Region 03 | 227,270 | 185.00 | 1228.49 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | RA 04645 | 1966-06-01 | 1966-06-01 |
Dapitan | Zamboanga del Norte | Region 09 | 72,792 | 390.53 | 186.39 | Component | 3rd class | RA 03811 | 1963-06-22 | 1963-06-22 |
Dipolog | Zamboanga del Norte | Region 09 | 113,118 | 241.13 | 469.12 | Component | 3rd class | RA 05520 | 1969-06-21 | 1970-01-01 |
Pagadian | Zamboanga del Sur | Region 09 | 161,312 | 378.80 | 425.85 | Component | 2nd class | RA 05478 | 1969-06-21 | 1969-06-21 |
Zamboanga City | Zamboanga del Sur | Region 09 | 774,407 | 1,414.70 | 547.4 | Highly urbanized | 1st class | CA 039 | 1936-10-12[28] | 1936-10-12 |
Notes:
^a Highly urbanized cities (HUCs) and independent component cities are legally independent from any province, although they are often grouped with the province to which they belonged prior to becoming cities. The province indicated for such cities, as grouped by the National Statistical Coordination Board, will be in italics.
^b Population figures are from 2007 Census Website.
^c Land area figures taken from 2009 IRA Computation Factors, except for Metro Manila (NCR) LGUs, which are taken from the Metro Manila Development Authority website.
^d Information on income class and legal class are from the National Statistical Coordination Board.
^e Some of these city charters have been replaced, revised, or amended since. The link to the text of the original city charter will be given if available online.
^f Most city charters were approved after being signed by the president. However, some were approved only after they lapsed into law, i.e. becoming law without the president's signature, which is possible if 30 days after being sent to the president's office for approval the act has remained unsigned.
^g Before 1987, most municipalities gained cityhood immediately after the enactment or approval of their city charters. Only few pre-1987 city charters had a set date of effectivity (such as Tagbilaran's and Dipolog's) or required a plebiscite for the city to acquire corporate existence (such as Caloocan's or Laoag's). However, since 1987 city charters require ratification through a plebiscite, with a majority of votes cast by city residents affirming the charter. If not enough information is available, a charter's date of approval will be assumed as its date of effectivity, and the date will be in italics.
^h Prior to receiving their charters, Quezon City, Caloocan and Pasay were part of the province of Rizal, and remained only nominally so until the organization of Metro Manila in 1975.
^i Prior to the organization of the Metropolitan Manila Area in 1975, the then-municipalities of Mandaluyong, Pasig, Malabon, Makati, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Taguig, Navotas and San Juan were part of the province of Rizal.
^j Prior to the organization of the Metropolitan Manila Area in 1975, the then-municipality of Valenzuela was a part of the province of Bulacan.
Dates of inauguration/organization:
Many pre-1987 cities had set dates of inauguration (where the president or a high-ranking government official participates in ceremonies marking the attainment of cityhood) or had set dates of organization (where the newly-converted city officially starts to fully function as expected). These dates may be set by the President, city officials or Congress.