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.

San Marcelino, Zambales, Philippines

San Marcelino, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. San Marcelino, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 2nd Class Area in Hectares: 41682.00Population (2020 Census): 63,360Population (2015 Census): 56,147Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): […]

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San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines

San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. San Felipe, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 4th Class Area in Hectares: 11166.00Population (2020 Census): 25,033Population (2015 Census): 23,737Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020):

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San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines

San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 3rd Class Area in Hectares: 18811.00Population (2020 Census): 37,494Population (2015 Census): 34,217Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020):

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Palauig, Zambales, Philippines

Palauig, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. Palauig, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 3rd Class Area in Hectares: 31000.00Population (2020 Census): 39,784Population (2015 Census): 34,942Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 2.75% Palauig

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Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines

Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. Masinloc, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 25670.00Population (2020 Census): 54,524Population (2015 Census): 47,719Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 2.81% Masinloc

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Iba, Zambales, Philippines

Iba, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. Iba, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 1st Class Area in Hectares: 15338.00Population (2020 Census): 55,521Population (2015 Census): 50,506Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 2.00% Iba

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Castillejos, Zambales, Philippines

Castillejos, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. Castillejos, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 2nd Class Area in Hectares: 9259.00Population (2020 Census): 67,889Population (2015 Census): 64,849Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 0.96% Castillejos

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Candelaria, Zambales, Philippines

Candelaria, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. Candelaria, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 3rd Class Area in Hectares: 33656.00Population (2020 Census): 30,775Population (2015 Census): 28,945Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 1.31% Candelaria

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Cabangan, Zambales, Philippines

Cabangan, Zambales, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Zambales Philippines, within Region III – Central Luzon, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Zambales. Cabangan, Zambales, Philippines Municipality Class: 4th Class Area in Hectares: 23940.00Population (2020 Census): 28,107Population (2015 Census): 26,449Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 1.29% Cabangan

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Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines : is a municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi Philippines, within Region XV – BARMM, in the Republic of the Philippines.  >>> Click to view Other Municipalities in Tawi-Tawi. Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines Municipality Class: 5th Class Area in Hectares: 625.00Population (2020 Census): 5,683Population (2015 Census): 4,727Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 3.55%

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