Municipalities of the Philippines

In the Philippines, a municipality is a local government unit (LGU), also known as a town. It is distinct from a city and is organized under the province it belongs to. Municipalities are further divided into barangays, the smallest political units.

How a Municipality is Formed:

  • A municipality is created by an act of Congress or through the Local Government Code.

  • It must meet certain criteria, such as population size, income, and land area, as mandated by law.

  • Once established, it has its own local government with elected officials (mayor, vice mayor, and municipal councilors).

Structure and Governance:

  • The executive branch is headed by a mayor.

  • The legislative branch is called the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council).

  • There are appointed municipal officials such as treasurer, assessor, health officer, and others fulfilling various administrative roles.

Classification of Municipalities:

Municipalities in the Philippines are classified based on their average annual income over the last four fiscal years. The classes are:

  • 1st Class: Municipalities with the highest income bracket.

  • 2nd Class

  • 3rd Class

  • 4th Class

  • 5th Class

  • 6th Class: Municipalities with the lowest income bracket.

These classifications help determine the municipality’s budget, administrative responsibilities, and development priorities.

Responsibilities:

  • Municipalities enjoy a degree of local autonomy but remain under provincial supervision.

  • They are responsible for local services such as health, sanitation, infrastructure, and ordinances.

  • They have the power to create and collect local taxes and fees.

This structure is defined by the Local Government Code of 1991 and supported by the 1987 Philippine Constitution, ensuring local governments can manage affairs effectively within their jurisdiction.

Maria, Siquijor, Philippines

Maria, Siquijor, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Siquijor Philippines, within Region VII – Central Visayas, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Siquijor. Maria, Siquijor, Philippines Municipality Class: 4th Class Area in Hectares: 5333.00Population (2020 Census): 14,538Population (2015 Census): 13,828Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 0.92% Maria […]

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Larena, Siquijor, Philippines

Larena, Siquijor, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Siquijor Philippines, within Region VII – Central Visayas, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Siquijor. Larena, Siquijor, Philippines Municipality Class: 4th Class Area in Hectares: 4986.00Population (2020 Census): 14,454Population (2015 Census): 13,847Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 0.91% Larena

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Malungon, Sarangani, Philippines

Malungon, Sarangani, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Sarangani Philippines, within Region XII – (Soccsksargen), in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Sarangani. Malungon, Sarangani, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 89679.00Population (2020 Census): 105,464Population (2015 Census): 102,614Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 0.57% Malungon 2022

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Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, Philippines

Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Siquijor Philippines, within Region VII – Central Visayas, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Siquijor. Enrique Villanueva, Siquijor, Philippines Municipality Class: 5th Class Area in Hectares: 3008.00Population (2020 Census): 6,792Population (2015 Census): 6,104Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020):

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Maitum, Sarangani, Philippines

Maitum, Sarangani, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Sarangani Philippines, within Region XII – (Soccsksargen), in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Sarangani. Maitum, Sarangani, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 47240.00Population (2020 Census): 44,595Population (2015 Census): 46,471Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): -0.88% Maitum 2022

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Malapatan, Sarangani, Philippines

Malapatan, Sarangani, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Sarangani Philippines, within Region XII – (Soccsksargen), in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Sarangani. Malapatan, Sarangani, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 72120.00Population (2020 Census): 80,722Population (2015 Census): 76,914Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 0.99% Malapatan 2022

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Glan, Sarangani, Philippines

Glan, Sarangani, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Sarangani Philippines, within Region XII – (Soccsksargen), in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Sarangani. Glan, Sarangani, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 61000.00Population (2020 Census): 131,528Population (2015 Census): 118,596Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 2.26% Glan 2022

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Maasim, Sarangani, Philippines

Maasim, Sarangani, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Sarangani Philippines, within Region XII – (Soccsksargen), in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Sarangani. Maasim, Sarangani, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 54249.00Population (2020 Census): 64,896Population (2015 Census): 59,914Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 1.72% Maasim 2022

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Kiamba, Sarangani, Philippines

Kiamba, Sarangani, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Sarangani Philippines, within Region XII – (Soccsksargen), in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Sarangani. Kiamba, Sarangani, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 39766.00Population (2020 Census): 65,465Population (2015 Census): 61,960Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 1.16% Kiamba 2022

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Zumarraga, Samar, Philippines

Zumarraga, Samar, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Samar Philippines, within Region VIII – Eastern Visayas, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Samar. Zumarraga, Samar, Philippines Municipality Class: 5th Class Area in Hectares: 6015.00Population (2020 Census): 14,582Population (2015 Census): 16,279Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): -2.15% Zumarraga

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