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 Cotabato Province As of the 2020 Census, Cotabato Province had a population of 1,490,618. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 1,379,747, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 8% over five years. Cotabato is home to several indigenous groups including the Manobo, Bagobo, Teduray, and Ilianen peoples. These communities have deep ancestral […]
Cebu Province, Philippines: The Queen of the South and Premier Economic Powerhouse The Province of Cebu is the very heart of the Philippines’ Central Visayas region and the most populous province in the entire country. Often referred to as the “Queen City of the South,” Cebu encompasses the main island of Cebu and 167 smaller
People of Cavite Province As of the 2020 Census, Cavite Province had a population of 4,344,829 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 3,678,301, reflecting a rapid growth rate of approximately 3.4% annually due to urban expansion and migration. Historically, Cavite was home to indigenous groups such as the Tagalog and Aeta peoples.
People of Catanduanes As of the 2020 Census, Catanduanes had a population of 271,879. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 255,520, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 1.25% annually. Catanduanes is home to the Southern Catanduanes Agta, a Negrito group with deep ancestral ties to the island’s forests and coastal areas. Though their
People of Capiz As of the 2020 Census, Capiz Province had a population of 835,098. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 761,384, reflecting a steady growth rate over five years. Capiz is home to the indigenous Panay Bukidnon (also known as Suludnon), who reside in the mountainous areas of Tapaz and Jamindan. They
People of Camiguin As of the 2020 Census, Camiguin Province had a population of 92,808. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 88,478, reflecting steady growth over five years. Camiguin is historically home to the Kinamiguin people, a Visayan ethnolinguistic group with deep ties to the island’s volcanic terrain and coastal settlements. The Subanen
People of Camarines Sur As of the 2020 Census, Camarines Sur had a population of 2,068,244. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 1,952,544, reflecting a growth rate of 1.22% annually over five years. The province is home to indigenous groups such as the Isarog Agta and Iraya Agta, who have lived for centuries
People of Camarines Norte As of the 2020 Census, Camarines Norte had a population of 629,699. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 583,313, reflecting steady growth driven by urbanization, migration, and agricultural development. The province is home to the indigenous Manide people, a Negrito group with a distinct language and cultural heritage. They
Population of Cagayan Province As of the 2020 Census, Cagayan Province had a population of 1,268,603 residents. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 1,199,320, reflecting an annual growth rate of approximately 1.19%. Location of Cagayan Province Cagayan is located in the northeastern tip of Luzon Island, within Region II (Cagayan Valley). It is
Bulacan Province: The Gateway to the North and Cradle of the Republic Bulacan Province is a historically rich and strategically located province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines, immediately north of Metro Manila. Known as the “Gateway to the North,” Bulacan is a vital economic and logistical bridge between the National Capital Region