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.
People of Romblon As of the 2020 Census, Romblon Province had a population of 308,985 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 292,781, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 1.1% annually. Romblon has been inhabited by aboriginal Filipinos long before Spanish colonization in 1569. Archaeological finds, including burial jars and porcelain, suggest a […]
People of Palawan As of the 2020 Census, Palawan Province had a population of 939,594 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 849,469, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 2.0% annually. Palawan is home to several indigenous ethnolinguistic groups, including the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, Batak, Molbog, Tao’t Bato, Agutaynen, and Cuyonon. These communities have
Nueva Ecija Province: The Rice Granary of the Philippines Nueva Ecija is the largest province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines, both in terms of land area and population (after Bulacan). It is an entirely landlocked province, distinguished by its vast, fertile plains, which have earned it the well-deserved title: the “Rice Granary
Population of Quirino Province As of the 2020 Census, Quirino Province had a population of 203,828 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 188,991, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 1.5% annually. Location of Quirino Province Quirino is a landlocked province located in the southeastern portion of the Cagayan Valley Region in Luzon.
People of Lanao del Norte As of the 2020 Census, Lanao del Norte had a population of 722,902. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 676,395, reflecting steady growth over five years. Lanao del Norte is historically home to the Maranao people, whose name means “people of the lake,” referring to their ancestral ties
People of Laguna Province As of the 2020 Census, Laguna Province had a population of 3,382,193 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 3,035,081, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 2.2% annually. Historically, Laguna was inhabited by indigenous groups such as the Katutubong Tagalog and Aeta communities, particularly in upland areas near Mount
People of Kalinga As of the 2020 Census, Kalinga Province had a population of 229,570. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 212,680, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 7.9% over five years. Kalinga is home to the Kalinga people, an indigenous group known for their warrior traditions, tattoo artistry, and strong clan-based governance.
Population of Isabela Province As of the 2020 Census, Isabela Province had a population of 1,697,050 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 1,593,566, reflecting a steady growth rate of approximately 1.25% annually. Location of Isabela Province Isabela is located in the northeastern part of Luzon Island, within Region II (Cagayan Valley). It
People of Iloilo As of the 2020 Census, Iloilo Province had a population of 2,082,616. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 1,936,423, reflecting a steady growth rate over five years. Iloilo is home to the indigenous Panay Bukidnon (Suludnon), who inhabit the mountainous areas of Calinog and Lambunao. They are known for their
Population of Ilocos Sur As of the 2020 Census, Ilocos Sur had a population of 706,009 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 689,668, reflecting a modest growth rate of 0.49% annually. Location of Ilocos Sur Ilocos Sur is located in the northwestern part of Luzon, Philippines, along the South China Sea. Its