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 Apayao As of the 2020 Census, Apayao Province had a population of 124,366. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 119,184, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 4.3% over five years. Apayao is home to the Isnag people, one of the indigenous groups of the Cordillera region. The Isnags are known for […]
People of Antique As of the 2020 Census, Antique Province had a population of 612,974. In 2015, the province recorded a population of 582,012, reflecting a steady growth rate over five years. Antique is home to the indigenous Iraynun-Bukidnon people, who reside in the upland areas of Valderrama, Laua-an, and Barbaza. They are known for
Albay Province, Philippines Albay Province is strategically situated in the Bicol Region (Region V) on the southeastern part of the island of Luzon, Philippines. It is famous globally as the home of the majestic Mayon Volcano, renowned for its almost perfect cone shape. Its capital, Legazpi City, serves as the regional center for government, commerce,
Population of Aklan As of the 2020 Census, Aklan recorded a population of 615,475 residents. In 2015, the province had a population of 574,823, reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.45%. Location of Aklan Aklan is located in the northwest portion of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region. It borders Capiz to the east,
Location and Accessibility: The Landlocked Jewel of Caraga Agusan del Sur, aptly nicknamed the “Land of Golden Opportunities,” is a large, landlocked province situated in the heart of the Caraga Administrative Region (Region XIII) in Mindanao. It is bordered by Agusan del Norte to the northwest, Surigao del Sur to the east, Davao Oriental and
Location and Accessibility Agusan del Norte is a vibrant province nestled in the northeastern section of Mindanao, forming a key part of the Caraga Administrative Region (Region XIII). Geographically, it is bordered by Butuan Bay and Surigao del Norte to the north, Surigao del Sur to the east, Misamis Oriental to the west, and Agusan
An Overview of Abra, Philippines Abra is a landlocked province within the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of Luzon. Its capital is Bangued, the largest municipality. Abra is surrounded by the provinces of Ilocos Norte to the northwest, Apayao to the northeast, Kalinga to the east, Mountain Province to the southeast, and Ilocos Sur to the
Location of Pangasinan, Philippines Pangasinan is a coastal province situated in the west-central part of Luzon within Region I (Ilocos Region). It is bordered by La Union and Benguet to the north, Nueva Vizcaya to the northeast, Nueva Ecija to the southeast, Tarlac and Zambales to the south, and the South China Sea to the
Location of La Union, Philippines La Union is a coastal province located at approximately 16.5° N latitude and 120.42° E longitude in the northwestern part of Luzon. It is part of the Ilocos Region (Region I). The province borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, Pangasinan to the south, and the South China Sea to the west. Its capital and regional center is San
People of Misamis Oriental As of the 2020 Census, Misamis Oriental had a population of 956,900 (excluding Cagayan de Oro City). In 2015, the province recorded a population of 889,942, reflecting steady growth over five years. Misamis Oriental is historically home to the Higaonon and Subanen indigenous peoples. The Higaonon are known for their forest-based