Cities in the Philippines

The Philippines sets clear standards for municipalities to be elevated to city status, and cities are organized into distinct classifications. These cities are distributed throughout the country’s three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Requirements and Classification of Cities

To become a city, a municipality must reach minimum income, population, or land area benchmarks. The key requirements include a certain level of local income over a period of years, and either a population or land area threshold. Some exceptions exist for areas with exceptionally high income, even if population or area is lacking.

Cities are then categorized based on their governance and relationship with the provinces:

• Highly Urbanized Cities are those with the largest population and income, independent from provincial government.

• Independent Component Cities are not under their province’s administrative supervision, and their residents do not vote in provincial elections.

• Component Cities remain under the jurisdiction of their respective provinces.

Cities by Major Island Groups

Luzon

Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacoor, Cabanatuan, Cabuyao, Calamba, Calapan, Candon, Cauayan, City of San Fernando (La Union), City of San Fernando (Pampanga), Dagupan, Gapan, General Trias, Imus, Iriga, Laoag, Legazpi, Lipa, Lucena, Malabon, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Muñoz, Naga (Camarines Sur), Navotas, Olongapo, Palayan, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Carlos (Pangasinan), San Jose (Nueva Ecija), San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Santo Tomas, Tagaytay, Taguig, Tarlac, Tayabas, Trece Martires, Valenzuela, Vigan.

Visayas

Bacolod, Bago, Bais, Bayawan, Baybay, Bogo, Borongan, Cadiz, Canlaon, Carcar, Cebu City, Danao, Dumaguete, Escalante, Guihulngan, Himamaylan, Iloilo City, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Naga (Cebu), Ormoc, Passi, Roxas, Sagay, San Carlos (Negros Occidental), Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Tagbilaran, Tacloban, Talisay (Cebu), Talisay (Negros Occidental), Toledo, Victorias.

Mindanao

Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City, Dapitan, Davao City, Digos, Dipolog, El Salvador, Gingoog, Iligan, Isabela (Basilan), Kidapawan, Koronadal, Lamitan, Malaybalay, Malita, Mati, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Panabo, Samal, Surigao City, Tagum, Tacurong, Tandag, Tangub, Zamboanga City, Marawi, General Santos.