Provinces of the Philippines

Philippines

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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.

The provinces are grouped into seventeen 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, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao 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.[1]

Contents

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.

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

Main article: Sangguniang Panlalawigan

The vice-governor acts as the president of each Sangguniang Panlalawigan (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 has 14 regularly elected SP members, while Cebu, Negros Occidental and Pangasinan 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 Captains (ABC), the local president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), and the local president of the Sangguniang Kabataan (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.

Relation to other levels of government

National government

National intrusion into the affairs of each provincial government is limited by the constitution. The President of the Philippines however coordinates with provincial administrators through the Department of the Interior and Local Government. For purposes of national representation, each province is guaranteed its own congressional district. One congressional representative represents each district in the House of Representatives. Senatorial representation is elected at an at-large basis and not apportioned through territory-based districts.

Cities and municipalities

Main article: Cities of the Philippines
Main article: Municipalities of the Philippines

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.[2] 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, 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 to review legislation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) or Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council), of all component cities and municipalities under the province's jurisdiction.[2]

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.[2]

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:[3]

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

A province's income class determines the size of the membership of its Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and also how much it can spend on certain items, or procure through certain means.[2]

Map

Note: The map presents independent cities outside of Metro Manila 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 Population
(2007)		 Population
rank		 Area
(km²)		 Area
rank		 Pop. density
(per km²)		 Pop. density
rank
Abra Bangued CAR 230,953 67 4,198.20 33 55.01 76
Agusan del Norte[4] Cabadbaran[5] Region XIII 612,405 46 3,546.86 40 172.66 49
Agusan del Sur Prosperidad Region XIII 609,447 47 9,989.52 5 61.01 73
Aklan Kalibo Region VI 495,122 57 1,821.42 66 271.83 24
Albay Legazpi Region V 1,190,823 24 2,565.77 57 464.12 11
Antique San Jose de Buenavista Region VI 515,265 54 2,729.17 53 188.8 44
Apayao Kabugao[6] CAR 103,633 76 4,351.23 31 23.82 79
Aurora Baler Region III 187,802 69 3,147.32 47 59.67 74
Basilan Isabela ARMM[7] 496,505 56 2,217.13 59 223.94 37
Bataan Balanga Region III 662,153 43 1,372.98 72 482.27 9
Batanes Basco Region II 15,974 79 219.01 79 72.94 69
Batangas Batangas City Region IV-A 2,245,869 8 3,119.72 48 719.89 7
Benguet[8] La Trinidad CAR 674,459 42 2,826.59 50 238.61 35
Biliran Naval Region VIII 150,031 74 536.01 76 279.9 23
Bohol Tagbilaran Region VII 1,230,110 23 4,820.95 26 255.16 30
Bukidnon Malaybalay Region X 1,190,284 25 10,498.59 4 113.38 62
Bulacan Malolos Region III 2,826,936 4 2,774.85 51 1018.77 5
Cagayan Tuguegarao Region II 1,072,571 28 9,295.75 6 115.38 60
Camarines Norte Daet Region V 513,785 55 2,320.07 58 221.45 38
Camarines Sur[9] Pili Region V 1,693,821 15 5,465.26 19 309.93 20
Camiguin Mambajao Region X 81,293 78 237.95 78 341.64 16
Capiz Roxas Region VI 701,664 39 2,594.64 56 270.43 25
Catanduanes Virac Region V 232,757 66 1,492.16 71 155.99 51
Cavite Imus[10] Region IV-A 2,856,765 3 1,512.41 69 1888.88 2
Cebu[11] Cebu City[12] Region VII 3,848,730 1 5,331.07 22 724.66 6
Compostela Valley Nabunturan Region XI 637,366 44 4,479.77 28 142.28 54
Cotabato Kidapawan Region XII 1,121,974 27 9,008.90 7 124.54 58
Davao del Norte Tagum Region XI 847,440 32 3,426.97 44 247.29 32
Davao del Sur[13] Digos Region XI 2,185,743 10 6,667.06 12 327.84 18
Davao Oriental[14] Mati Region XI 486,104 58 5,670.07 18 85.73 68
Dinagat Islands San Jose Region XIII 530,281 53 3,009.27 47 176.22 7
Eastern Samar Borongan Region VIII 405,114 62 4,640.73 27 87.3 67
Guimaras Jordan Region VI 151,238 73 604.57 75 250.16 31
Ifugao Lagawe CAR 180,711 71 2,628.21 54 68.76 72
Ilocos Norte Laoag Region I 547,284 49 3,504.30 42 156.17 50
Ilocos Sur Vigan Region I 632,255 45 2,595.96 55 243.55 33
Iloilo[15] Iloilo City[12] Region VI 2,110,588 11 4,899.35 25 267.19 26
Isabela[16] Ilagan Region II 1,401,495 18 13,778.76 2 101.71 64
Kalinga Tabuk CAR 182,326 70 3,231.25 46 56.43 75
La Union San Fernando Region I 720,972 36 1,503.75 70 479.45 10
Laguna Santa Cruz Region IV-A 2,473,530 6 1,823.55 65 1356.44 3
Lanao del Norte[17] Tubod Region X 846,329 33 3,824.79 35 221.3 39
Lanao del Sur Marawi ARMM 1,138,544 26 12,051.85 3 94.47 65
Leyte[18] Tacloban[12] Region VIII 1,722,036 14 6,515.05 13 264.32 27
Maguindanao[19] Shariff Aguak ARMM 1,532,868 17 7,623.75 10 201.06 42
Marinduque Boac Region IV-B 229,636 68 952.58 74 241.07 34
Masbate Masbate City Region V 768,939 34 4,151.78 34 185.21 45
Misamis Occidental Oroquieta Region X 531,680 52 2,055.22 63 258.7 29
Misamis Oriental[20] Cagayan de Oro[12] Region X 1,302,851 19 3,515.70 41 370.58 14
Mountain Province Bontoc CAR 148,661 75 2,157.38 60 68.91 71
Negros Occidental[21] Bacolod[12] Region VI 2,869,766 2 7,965.21 9 360.29 15
Negros Oriental Dumaguete Region VII 1,231,904 22 5,385.53 21 228.74 36
Northern Samar Catarman Region VIII 549,759 48 3,692.93 37 148.87 53
Nueva Ecija Palayan[22] Region III 1,853,853 13 5,751.33 17 322.33 19
Nueva Vizcaya Bayombong Region II 397,837 63 4,378.80 30 90.86 66
Occidental Mindoro Mamburao Region IV-B 421,592 61 5,865.71 16 71.87 70
Oriental Mindoro Calapan Region IV-B 735,769 35 4,238.38 32 173.6 48
Palawan[23] Puerto Princesa[12] Region IV-B 892,660 30 17,030.75 1 52.41 77
Pampanga[24] San Fernando Region III 2,226,444 9 2,044.99 64 1088.73 4
Pangasinan[25] Lingayen Region I 2,645,395 5 5,451.08 20 485.3 8
Quezon[26] Lucena[12] Region IV-A 1,882,900 12 8,926.01 8 210.95 41
Quirino Cabarroguis Region II 163,610 72 3,486.16 43 46.93 78
Rizal[27] Antipolo[28] Region IV-A 2,284,046 7 1,175.76 73 1942.61 1
Romblon Romblon Region IV-B 279,774 65 1,533.45 68 182.45 46
Samar Catbalogan Region VIII 695,149 40 6,048.03 14 114.94 61
Sarangani Alabel Region XII 475,514 59 3,601.25 39 132.04 55
Siquijor Siquijor Region VII 87,695 77 337.49 77 259.84 28
Sorsogon Sorsogon City Region V 709,673 38 2,119.01 62 334.91 17
South Cotabato[29] Koronadal Region XII 1,296,797 20 4,428.81 29 292.81 21
Southern Leyte Maasin Region VIII 390,847 64 1,797.22 67 217.47 40
Sultan Kudarat Isulan Region XII 675,644 41 5,251.34 23 128.66 57
Sulu Jolo ARMM 849,670 31 2,135.25 61 397.93 13
Surigao del Norte Surigao Region XIII 530,281 53 3,009.27 49 176.22 47
Surigao del Sur[14] Tandag Region XIII 541,347 51 4,925.18 24 109.91 63
Tarlac Tarlac City Region III 1,243,449 21 2,736.64 52 454.37 12
Tawi-Tawi Bongao[30] ARMM 450,346 60 3,426.55 45 131.43 56
Zambales[31] Iba Region III 720,355 37 3,714.40 36 193.94 43
Zamboanga del Norte Dipolog Region IX 907,238 29 7,301.00 11 124.26 59
Zamboanga del Sur[32] Pagadian Region IX 1,688,685 16 5,914.16 15 285.53 22
Zamboanga Sibugay Ipil Region IX 546,186 50 3,607.75 38 151.39 52
Metro Manila[27] Manila (Regional center) NCR 11,553,427 -- 636 -- 18747.04 --

NOTES:

Maps

Etymologies

Main article: List of Philippine provincial name etymologies

History

When the United States acquired the Philippines from Spain 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.

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.

Defunct provinces

See also

References

  1. ^ About the League of Provinces, League of Provinces of the Philippines, http://www.lpp.gov.ph/facts/index.html, retrieved 2008-01-12 
  2. ^ a b c d Republic Act No. 7160 - Local Government Code of 1991
  3. ^ Income Classification for Provinces, Cities and Municipalities, National Statistics Coordination Board.
  4. ^ Figures include the independent city of Butuan.
  5. ^ Cabadbaran has been made the official capital of the province, as per Republic Act No. 8811. However, the seat of the provincial government is still in the process of being transferred from Butuan, where the provincial government still holds office.
  6. ^ The province maintains another government center in Luna, where many national and provincial agencies now hold office. Philippine Information Agency - Apayao gov't center established in Luna
  7. ^ The city of Isabela is served by the offices of Region IX.
  8. ^ Figures include the independent city of Baguio.
  9. ^ Figures include the independent city of Naga.
  10. ^ The provincial government of Cavite makes it clear that Imus is the provincial capital, while the seat of the provincial government is Trece Martires City. Official Website of the Province of Cavite - Quick Facts Imus is capital of Cavite — Maliksi
  11. ^ Figures include the independent cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Because the provincial government holds office within an independent city, in effect the province maintains the seat of its government outside its jurisdiction.
  13. ^ Figures include the independent city of Davao.
  14. ^ a b Population figures for both Davao Oriental and Surigao del Sur exclude the 4,555 persons residing in areas disputed between these provinces.
  15. ^ Figures include the independent city of Iloilo.
  16. ^ Figures include the independent city of Santiago.
  17. ^ Figures include the independent city of Iligan.
  18. ^ Figures include the independent cities of Ormoc and Tacloban.
  19. ^ Figures include the independent city of Cotabato.
  20. ^ Figures include the independent city of Cagayan de Oro.
  21. ^ Figures include the independent city of Bacolod.
  22. ^ The provincial government still uses and maintains facilities in the former capital, Cabanatuan.
  23. ^ Figures include the independent city of Puerto Princesa.
  24. ^ Figures include the independent city of Angeles.
  25. ^ Figures include the independent city of Dagupan.
  26. ^ Figures include the independent city of Lucena.
  27. ^ a b Population figures for both Metro Manila and Rizal Province exclude the 24,789 persons residing in areas disputed between the municipality of Cainta, Rizal and the city of Pasig in Metro Manila.
  28. ^ The provincial government has already transferred its operations to Antipolo from Pasig, although no legislation on the national level has been enacted yet recognizing the new capital. Yehey! News - Board wants Antipolo officially named capital of Rizal
  29. ^ Figures include the independent city of General Santos.
  30. ^ The National Statistical Coordination Board recognizes both Bongao and Panglima Sugala as capitals of the province. However, the provincial capitol is located in Bongao, the de facto seat of government.
  31. ^ Figures include the independent city of Olongapo.
  32. ^ Figures include the independent city of Zamboanga.
  33. ^ Philippines-Archipelago, Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Specific information on the division of Leyte provided by David A. Short, webmaster of Philippines-Archipelago, which was updated accordingly after indirectly obtaining a copy of the text of Act No. 3117 from the Legislative Library, House of Representatives, http://philippines-archipelago.com/politics/map/region_viii/eastern_visayas.html, retrieved 2008-05-17 
  34. ^ Republic Act No. 5999, Chan-Robles Law Library.
  35. ^ Republic Act No. 6406. Chan-Robles Law Library.
  36. ^ Republic Act No. 7891
  37. ^ Republic Act No. 9495
  38. ^ Batas Pambansa Blg. 885
  39. ^ G.R. No. 73155 - Tan v. COMELEC and the Provincial Treasurer of Negros Occidental
  40. ^ Republic Act No. 9054, Chan-Robles Law Library.
  41. ^ G.R. No. 177597 - Sema v. COMELEC, Supreme Court of the Philippines.

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