Local government

• The 1987 Constitution also allows the creation of a Local Government Code that applies to the Cordillera
• Article X, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the provisions of the republic as the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays
• The 1987 Constitution provides for the creation of autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao
• Through decentralization of the distribution of local government powers, local governments will be effective partners in the attainment of national goals
• Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 was approved

  1991
• The implementation of the policies and measures of decentralization are guided by principles
• The barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing center of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community
• The barangay is the smallest political unit or subdivision of the government
• The Sangguniang Barangay is the law-making body of the barangay
• The role of a municipality is to serve primarily as a general purpose unit of the government for the coordination and delivery of basic, regular, and direct services and ensure effective governance of the inhabitants within the territorial jurisdiction
• The Sangguniang Barangay is empowered to establish community brigades like the barangay tanod brigade to maintain peace and order
• Local government officials are elected for a term of three years and can be re-elected twice, totaling nine years of service
• Function of the Sangguniang Bayan


  Make laws called ordinances, appropriate funds for projects aimed at promoting the general welfare of the local government units and their inhabitants, review ordinances enacted by the Sangguniang Barangay
• The Sangguniang Bayan is the law-making body of the municipality
• A city is ordinarily an urban area composed of developed and urban barangays
• Highly urbanized cities have a minimum population of inhabitants and an annual income of at least Php50 million
• Classifications of cities in the Philippines

  • Highly urbanized cities
  • Component cities
  • Independent component cities
• The legislative body of the city is the Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Function of the Sangguniang Panlungsod


  Make laws called city ordinances, advance and level up the general welfare of the local government and residents
• A province is a unit of local government composed of several municipalities and component cities
• Officials in each province

  • Governor
  • Vice governor
  • Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
• Function of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan

  Serve as the legislative body of the provincial government, make laws to promote and advance the general welfare of their local government units and residents
• The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) took the place of ARMM on February 26, 2019
• Currently, only one autonomous region exists, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
• BARMM's government system is parliamentary-democratic based on a political party system
• The regional government in an autonomous region is headed by a chief minister
• The Sharia (Muslim court) applies only to Muslims in an autonomous region
• The Cordillera Administrative Region was created through Executive Order issued by President Corazon Aquino on July 15, 1987
• The Constitution allows the creation of an Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera
• Autonomous regions have more power than other Local Government Units (LGUs)
• Plebiscites were held to legalize autonomy in the Cordillera region, but the Cordillera people did not approve of having a self-governing body
• In 2017, a bill was passed by all congressmen of the region creating an autonomous Cordillera
• Autonomous region


  • Special government structure with a chief executive, legislative body, and special courts with personal, family, and property law jurisdiction
• The president shall create different groups that will strengthen the LGUs in the acceleration of their economy, social growth, and development
• The Constitution requires the president to "exercise general supervision over autonomous regions to ensure that laws are faithfully executed"
• An autonomous region enjoys broader powers than an ordinary local government unit but is still under the authority of the national government
• A municipality is composed of several barangays.
• A province is a unit of local government composed of several municipalities.