The territory of the Philippines is divided into regions, and within each region are the provinces.
Provinces – These are subdivided into cities, municipalities, and barangays.
Some cities within the provinces are independent of the province in which they are geographically located; these are called independent and highly urbanized cities.
Voters registered in a highly urbanized city, as defined above, shall not participate in the election of provincial officials of the province where the city is located (Section 3, Batas Pambansa Blg. 51).
Some communities are not large enough to be classified as cities, so they remain municipalities. Every province, city, and municipality in the Philippines is classified by income.
Within municipalities, cities, and chartered cities are the barangays. Without barangays, there would be no municipality, city, chartered city, or province.
Each province is administered by:
The Governor – Chief Executive Officer; elected to a term of three years and limited to three consecutive terms. The governor appoints the directors of each provincial department.
The Vice‑Governor – Presides over the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board), the province’s legislative body.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Exercises general supervision over the provinces and cities in 17 of the 18 regions. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is exempt from this supervision, operating under its own organic law. The BARMM replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on February 26, 2019, following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
About Nueva Vizcaya Province, Philippines Nueva Vizcaya is a landlocked province located in the heart of Luzon, within Region II – Cagayan Valley. It is bordered by Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Benguet, forming a strategic gateway between the Cordillera and Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The provincial capital is Bayombong, a municipality […]
People of Northern Samar As of the 2020 Census, Northern Samar had a population of 639,186. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 622,423, reflecting a modest increase over five years. Northern Samar is historically home to the Ibabao-Waray people, with cultural roots distinct from the Waray-Waray of Leyte and Eastern Samar. The Inabaknon
People of Negros Oriental As of the 2020 Census, Negros Oriental had a population of 1,432,990. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 1,354,995, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 5.75% over five years. Negros Oriental is historically home to indigenous groups such as the Ata and Bukidnon peoples, who lived in the mountainous
People of Negros Occidental As of the 2020 Census, Negros Occidental had a population of 2,623,172 (excluding Bacolod City). In 2015, the province recorded a population of 2,497,261, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 5.05% over five years. Negros Occidental is historically home to the Ati people, an indigenous Negrito group. Over time, the population
People of Mountain Province As of the 2020 Census, Mountain Province had a population of 158,200. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 154,590, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 2.3% over five years. Mountain Province is home to several indigenous groups collectively known as the Igorot, including the Bontoc, Kankanaey, and Balangao peoples.
People of Masbate As of the 2020 Census, Masbate Province had a population of 908,920. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 892,393, reflecting a modest growth rate over five years. Masbate is home to the Masbateño people, who are part of the wider Visayan ethnolinguistic group. Historically, the province also hosted indigenous Negrito
Surigao del Norte Province: The Gateway to Philippine Surfing Located at the very northeastern tip of Mindanao, the province of Surigao del Norte serves as the northern gateway to the Caraga Administrative Region (Region XIII). It is strategically bounded by the Surigao Strait to the east, the Bohol Sea to the north, Agusan del Norte
People of Occidental Mindoro As of the 2020 Census, Occidental Mindoro had a population of 525,354 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 487,414, reflecting steady growth driven by agricultural expansion and inter-island migration. The province is home to several indigenous groups, most notably the Mangyan communities, including the Alangan, Iraya, and Taubuid
People of Oriental Mindoro As of the 2020 Census, Oriental Mindoro had a population of 908,339 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 844,059, reflecting consistent growth due to agricultural expansion, inter-island migration, and urban development. Oriental Mindoro is home to several indigenous groups, most notably the Hanunuo, Buhid, and Bangon Mangyan communities.
People of Marinduque As of the 2020 Census, Marinduque had a population of 239,207 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 234,521, reflecting a modest growth rate of approximately 0.4% annually. Historically, the island was inhabited by Malay settlers and indigenous groups who engaged in trade with Chinese merchants as early as the