Philippine Political Geography

The 3 Main Island Group1. Luzon2. Visayas3. Mindanao

RegionsThere are a total of 18 Regions. Although Region IV is only designated as IV-A CALABARZON and IV-B MIMAROPA

ProvincesThere are 81 Provinces plus the National Capital Region (NCR) which is composed of the cities in Metro Manila. Every Province is headed by a Governor.

MunicipalitiesEvery Province is composed of Municipalities headed by a Mayor.

CitiesPhilippine Cities are categorized into 3: Highly Urbanized, Independent Component City, and Component City. Of the 3, only Component city is under the jurisdiction of a province and thus its residents may also vote for provincial officers. Cities in the Philippines are designated as local government just like municipalities, however they have their own charter governing their existence in addition to the Local Government Code. A City is also headed by a Mayor.

BarangayEvery Municipality/City is composed of Barangays headed by a Barangay Captain.

Legislative DistrictEach Province is either composed of one or several legislative district, with each district being represented by a Representative or a Congressman. Example, The Province of Batanes is a Lone District, represented by one Congressman. Cagayan Province is divided into 3 legislative districts, thus Cagayan Province is represented by 3 Congressman. Number of district is determined by the ratio of popultation. The minimum population requirement for a legislative district is 250,000. As of the present there are 234 legislative districts.

Names of Regions and Provinces

Island Group: Luzon

Region: I: IlocosProvinces1. Ilocos Norte 2. Ilocos Sur 3. La Union 4. Pangasinan

Region: II. Cagayan ValleyProvinces1. Batanes 2. Cagayan 3. Isabela 4. Nueva Viscaya 5. Quirino

Region: III. Central LuzonProvinces1. Aurora 2. Bataan 3. Bulacan 4. Nueva Ecija 5. Pampanga 6. Tarlac 7. Zambales

Region: IVA. CALABARZONProvinces1. Batangas 2. Cavite 3. Laguna4. Quezon5. Rizal

Region: IVB. MIMAROPAProvinces1. Marinduque 2. Occidental Mindoro 3. Oriental Mindoro 4. Palawan 5. Romblon

Region: V. BicolProvinces1. Albay 2. Camarines Norte 3. Camarines Sur 4. Catanduanes 5. Masbate 6. Sorsogon

Island Group: Visayas

Region: VI. Western VisayasProvinces1. Aklan 2. Antique 3. Capiz 4. Iloilo 5. Guimaras

Region: VII. Central VisayasProvinces1. Bohol 2. Cebu 3. Siquijor

Region: VIII. Eastern VisayasProvinces1. Biliran 2. Eastern Samar 3. Leyte 4. Northern Samar 5. Samar (Western) 6. Southern Leyte

Island Group: Mindanao

Region: IX. Zamboanga PeninsulaProvinces1. Zamboanga Sibugay 2. Zamboanga del Norte 3. Zamboanga del Sur

Region: X. Northern MindanaoProvinces1. Bukidnon 2. Camiguin 3. Misamis Occidental 4. Msamis Oriental 5. Lanao del Norte

Region: XI. DavaoProvinces1. Davao del Norte 2. Davao del Sur 3. Davao Oriental 4. Davao Occidental 5. Comostela Valley

Region: XII. SOCCSKSARGENProvinces1. North Cotabato 2. Sultan Kudarat 3. South Cotabato 4. Saranggani

Region: XIII. CARAGAProvinces1. Agustan del Norte 2. Augustan del Sur 3. Suriago del Norte 4. Suriago del Sur 5. Dinagat Island

Region: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)Island Group: LuzonProvinces1. Abra 2. Benguet 3. Ifugao 4. Kalinga 5. Apayao 6. Mountain Province

Region: Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)Island Group: MindanaoProvinces1. Basilan 2. Sulu 3. Tawi-Tawi 4. Lanao del Sur 5. Magrindanao

Region: National Capital Region (NCR)Island Group: LuzonCities: Kalookan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, ValenzuelaMunicipality: Pateros

Region: Negros Island Region (Region XVIII)/ Island Group: VisayasProvinces: 1. Negros Oriental 2. Negros Occidental