Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF PANGASINAN II

LUCIANO MILLAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Asingan, Pangasinan

Philippine Politics
&
Governance

Quarter 2 - Week 3

Module 3

Most Essential Learning Competencies

Explain the roles and functions of Local Government Unit (LGU)

Prepared by:

MIKE T. DUMANAY
SHS- Teacher II

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Roles and Functions of the Local Government Unit (Unit)

The Local Government Code of the Philippines provides information regarding the roles and
functions of the various levels of the Local Government Units (LGUs), namely, the barangay, city
and municipality, and province, which are presented in the succeeding sections as follows:

SECTION 384. Role of the Barangay. As the basic political unit, the Barangay serves as the
primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and
activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be
expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes maybe amicably settled.

SECTION 389. The Punong Barangay: Powers, Duties and Functions. (1) Exercise such powers
and perform such duties and functions, as provided by this Code and other laws; (2) Enforce all
laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay for efficient, effective and
economical governance, the purpose of which is the general welfare of the Barangay and its
inhabitants; (3) Ensure the delivery of basic services; (4) Promote the general welfare of the
Barangay.

SECTION 440. Role of the Municipality. The municipality, consisting of a group of Barangays,
serves primarily as a general purpose government for the coordination and delivery of basic,
regular and direct services and effective governance of the inhabitants within its territorial
jurisdiction.

SECTION 444. The Municipal Mayor: Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation. (1) Exercise
general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the municipal
government; (2) Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the municipality and
the exercise of its corporate powers and implement all approved policies, programs, projects,
services and activities of the municipality; (3) Initiate and maximize the generation of resources
and revenues, and apply the same to the implementation of development plans, program
objectives and priorities particularly those resources and revenues programmed for agro-industrial
development and country-wide growth and progress; (4) Ensure the delivery of basic services and
the provision of adequate facilities; (5) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties
and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SECTION 448. Role of the City. The city, consisting of more urbanized and developed Barangays,
serves as a general-purpose government for the coordination and delivery of basic, regular, and
direct services and effective governance of the inhabitants within its territorial jurisdiction.

SECTION 455. The City Mayor: Powers, Duties, Functions and Compensation. (1) Exercise
general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the city
government; (2) Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the city and in the
exercise of the appropriate corporate powers and implement all approved policies, programs,
projects, services and activities of the city; (3) Initiate and maximize the generation of resources
and revenues, and apply the same to the implementation of development plans, program
objectives and priorities particularly those resources and revenues programmed for agro-industrial
development and countryside growth and progress; (4) Ensure the delivery of basic services and
the provision of adequate facilities; (5) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties
and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SECTION 459. Role of the Province. The province, composed of a cluster of municipalities, or
municipalities and component cities, and as a political and corporate unit of government, serves

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as a dynamic mechanism for developmental processes and effective governance of local
government units within its territorial jurisdiction.

SECTION. 465. The Provincial Governor: Powers, Duties, Functions, and Compensation. (1)
Exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the
provincial government; (2) Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the
province and the exercise of the appropriate corporate powers and implement all approved
policies, programs, projects, services and activities of the province; (3) Initiate and maximize the
generation of resources and revenues, and apply the same to the implementation of development
plans, program objectives and priorities particularly those resources and revenues programmed
for agro-industrial development and country-wide growth and progress; (4) Ensure the delivery of
basic services and the provision of adequate facilities; (5) Exercise such other powers and perform
such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

Local government unit is defined as institutional units with fiscal, legislative and executive
authority extends over the smallest geographical areas distinguished for administrative and
political purposes. It is the lowest level of territorial organization within a state. Though it is the
smallest and basic unit of governance, it constitutes the foundation of the entire structure of the
government. The acts of the local government units affect the ordinary citizen more directly than
those of the national government. The average citizen has more and closer contacts with the local
governments and their agencies than with the national or provincial government, and is more
concerned with the local affairs than with those of the national or provincial in scope.

The Constitution of the Philippines recognizes the importance of local governments. It

provides as a policy that "the State shall guarantee and promote the autonomy of the local
government units -- especially the barangays -- to ensure their fullest development as self-reliant
communities." Article X Section 3 of 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “ The Congress shall
enact a local government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local
government structure instituted through a system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of
recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers,
responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and
removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters
relating to the organization and operation of the local units.”

The President of the Philippines exercises supervision over the whole country. But for
purposes of administrative control, the Philippines is divided into units of different sizes - known as
political subdivisions; these are provinces, municipalities, cities, and barangays. These political
subdivisions enjoy autonomy, especially in local affairs. But, they are also under the general
supervision of the Chief Executive, through the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG). These local governments are agencies of the national government in the
matter of collection of taxes, law enforcement, and other governmental functions, which may be
delegated by the national government to these local governments.

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Roles, Functions, and Organization

PROVINCES

The provincial government takes care of the function so which affect the people of a certain
province. The province is the largest political unit in the Philippines. It possesses the following
powers:

1) to acquire and transfer real and personal properties;

2) to enter into contracts, including those incurring obligations, which are expressly provided
by law; and

3) to exercise such other rights and incur such other obligations as are expressly authorized
by law.

There are 77 provinces in the Philippines. They are classified according to their average
income for five consecutive years. The higher the income of the province, the higher is its
classification. The salaries that can be paid to the provincial officials depend upon the class to
which it belongs. Higher salaries are paid to the officials of the higher-class provinces. A province
elects its executives - the governor, vice governor, and the members of the provincial board
(vocales). There are three vocales in the first, second, and third class provinces, and two in the
other classes of provinces. The rest of the provincial officials - like the provincial treasurer,
provincial assessor, district auditor, judges of the Regional Trial courts, provincial fiscal, division
superintendent of schools, district health officer, district engineer, and register of deeds - are all
appointed by the corresponding departments of the national government. However, under the New
Local Government Code, they are the administrative control of the provincial governor.

The election of the governor, vice governor, and members of the provincial board takes
place on the Second Tuesday of November of the election year. They hold office for three years.
They cannot serve for more than three consecutive terms. The provincial governor exercises
general supervisory powers over the entire province. He also makes known to the people of his
province all laws and orders of the government, especially those which directly concern them and
sees to it that they are faithfully carried out. He acquaints himself with the conditions of the
municipalities comprising the province and advises local officials in matters affecting their official
work.

The provincial board is the law making body of the province, with the provincial governor
serving as the presiding officer. Some of its most important functions are as follows:

a) it passes laws for the welfare of the municipalities and cities within its jurisdiction;

b) it prepares and approves the provincial budget;

c) it appropriates money for provincial purposes;

d) it exercises the power of eminent domain; and

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 e) it provides for the maintenance of equipment and buildings for provincial purposes. The
board holds a regular weekly meeting upon a day fixed by it. Special meetings, however, may be
called by the provincial governor on any day.

MUNICIPALITIES

Each province is composed of municipalities commonly called towns. The municipality is a

public corporation created by an act of congress and is governed by the Municipality Law, which
defines its duties and powers. Being public corporations, municipalities can sue or be sued in court;
enter into contracts; acquire and hold real and personal properties for municipal purposes; and
exercise such other powers as are granted by law.

Municipalities are classified according to their average annual income for the last four fiscal
years. There are 1,540 municipalities in the Philippines. They are autonomous units of government
and have elective and appointive officials. The elective officials are the municipal mayor, vice
mayor, and councilors. They are elected by the qualified voters for a term of three years. They
cannot serve for more than three consecutive terms. The appointive officials are the municipal
secretary, treasurer, justice of the peace, and chief of police. The municipal mayor is the chief
executive officer of the town. His main functions are:

1) to execute all laws and municipal ordinances;

2) to supervise the administration of the town;

3) to issue orders relative to the maintenance of peace and order;

4) to preside over the meetings of the municipal council; and

5) to recommend measures to the municipal council aimed at the improvement of the social
and economic conditions of the people.

The municipal council is the lawmaking body of the town and is composed of the mayor -
who is the chairman of the council - vice mayor, and the councilors. The number of councilors for
each municipality depends upon the class to which the municipality belongs. Each councilor is in-
charge of a village or barangay. Some of the more important mandatory powers of the municipal
council are the following:

1) to fix the salaries of all municipal offices and employees, except the treasurer, teachers
in the public schools, and staff of national government agencies assigned to the
municipality;

2) to provide for expenses necessary to carry out the functions of the municipality;

3) to provide for buildings adequate for municipal uses, including school houses;

4) to provide for the levy and collection of taxes, fees, and charges as sources of municipal
revenue; and

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 5) to establish and maintain an efficient police department and an adequate municipal jail.

CITIES

The chartered city is also a unit of local administration. It is created by a special law which
serves as its charter. The charter is the constitution of the city. The charter creates the city, defines
its boundaries, provides its system of government, and defines the powers and duties of its officials.

A city or any of its officials cannot perform any official act which is not permitted by its
charter. The city elective officials are the mayor, vice mayor, and the members of the board of
councilors. They are elected for a term of three years. They cannot serve for more than three
consecutive terms.

The mayor is the executive official of the city, aided by the appointive heads of the various
departments. The vice mayor is the presiding officer of the board. And the city courts exercise
judicial functions. The lawmaking body of the city is council. Among its important functions are as
follows:

1) to levy and collect taxes in accordance with law;

2) to enact ordinances;

3) to provide for public works constructions and for the maintenance of a local police force;

4) to establish fire zones within the city and to regulated the type of building which may be
constructed within each zone; and

5) to provide for the protection of the inhabitants from public calamities and to provide relied
in times of emergency. There are 67 chartered cities in the Philippines.

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BARANGAYS

Each municipality or city is composed of a number of villages or barangays. The barangays

are the smallest units of local government in the Philippines. They are governed by the Barrio
Charter.

The elective officials of the barangays are the Barangay Captain and the Barangay
Councilors. As chief executive, the barangay captain is its recognized leader. He enforces all the
laws and ordinances applicable to his constituency. He may organize fire brigades, preside over
all meetings both of the barangay council and assembly, organize groups of citizens to fight
criminality and brigandage, and approve all payments from barangay funds. He also sings all
contacts in which the barangay is a party. There are 41, 945 barangays in the Philippines. They
are public corporations and so, they can sue and be sued in court; can enter into contracts, can
acquire and hold all kinds of property; and can exercise such powers or perform such acts as are
provided by law. Source: http://www.ph.net/htdocs/government/phil/loc-gov/index.html

Supplementary video materials for this topic can be accessed using these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPZWP4OfwHk&fbclid=IwAR0sl3e5gS XVV0vxDoEp-
xPtA_f8PlbBrLN9fc07vEg2QpN2FUXjYJwYk9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwD4OwEyesI

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ASSESMENT

A. Modified True or False

Direction: Write TRUE if the given statement about local governance is correct. If the statement
is incorrect, replace the underlined word/s to make the statement accurate.

__________1. The governor should ensure the provision of adequate facilities like schools,
hospitals, sports gymnasiums and electricity and water sources to address the basic needs of
his/her constituents.
__________2. Local government units are self-reliant communities and active partners in nation-
building.
__________3. The city mayor should have supervision and control over all his/her programs,
including feeding the poor, giving scholarships to deserving students, and implementing
infrastructure projects and cultural-historical activities.
__________4. The chief executives of the provincial government are the governor, mayor and
punong barangay.
__________5. Provision of telecommunications services is one of the functions of LGUs.
__________6. A political subdivision of a nation, a federal government is established by law and
it possesses substantial control of local affairs.
__________7. The punong barangay should provide shelter, sustenance, healthcare, education,
local transport, information access, and legal and democratic support to promote the general
welfare of the community.
__________8. The municipal mayor maximizes the generation of grants from the state government
through allocations, incomes from commercial ventures and investments.
__________9. The barangay serves as a dynamic body for developmental processes and effective
local governance within its territorial jurisdiction.
__________10. The city acts as the primary planning and implementing unit of government
policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community.

B. Multiple choice:

Direction: Read each item carefully and write the letter of the correct answer. Use a separate
sheet of paper.

_____1. Which of the following is NOT a territorial and political subdivision of the republic of the
Philippines?
A. Provinces B. Cities
C. Municipalities D. None of the above

_____2. It is a political subdivision of a nation or state which is constituted by law and has a
substantial control of local affairs.
A. Local government B. National government
C. International government D. Federal government

_____3. The term of office of elected local officials, except barangay officials, which shall be
determined by law, shall be __________ years and no such official shall serve for more than
__________ consecutive terms.
A. 2, 2 B. 3, 3 C. 4, 4 D. 5, 5

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_____4. Which among the following is NOT among the corporate powers of the LGU?
A. Sue and be sued C. Have and use a corporate seal
B. Enter into contracts D. None of the above

_____5. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

A. The national government confers power and authority upon the various local
government units to perform specific functions and responsibilities.
B. Local governments do not only governmental but also proprietary functions.
C. The President exercises general supervision and control over LGUs for the
purpose of ensuring that their acts are within their powers and function.
D. The barangay is the primary planning and implementing unit.

_____6. Who has the peace keeping-keeping responsibility and to act as auxiliaries of the law?
A. Congressman B. Mayor
C. Punong Barangay D. Barangay Tanod
_____7. What is the smallest government unit?
A. Sitio B. City C. District D. Barangay

_____8. Which of the following is the intermediate unit that provides supervision to the
municipalities and component cities?
A. Province B. City
C. Municipality D. Barangay
_____9. What is the basic unit of local government?
A. City B. Municipality C. Both A and B D. Either A or B
_____10. Which of the following is a sub-municipal unit which provides face-to face interaction
among the people?
A. Province B. City C. Municipality D. Barangay
_____11. What is the lowest level of territorial organization within a state?

A. National Government B. Local Government C. International

_____12. Which of the following does not belong to the political subdivision?

A. Provinces B. State C. Municipalities

_____13. These political subdivisions are under in what government agency?

A. DILG B. DFA C. PCOO

_____14. Who is/are the law making body of the province?

A. Provincial Board B. Provincial Legislative C. Governor
_____15. How do you call the head of a Barangay?
A. Governor B. Barangay Captain C. Mayor
_____16. Who is the chief executive officer in the town?
A. Governor B. Barangay Captain C. Mayor
_____17. In what article in 1987 Philippine Constitution provides the guidelines for LGU?
A. Article X B. Article XI C. Article XII
_____18. Who are the lawmaking body of the city?

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 A. Board of Members B. Department Heads C. Councils
_____19. What is the smallest unit of local government in the Philippines?
A. Region B. Municipalities C. Barangays
_____20. How many municipalities does the Philippines has?
A. 1540 B. 1405 C. 1450

C. LGU Activities Organizer

Direction:
List down at least three (3) activities that your local government unit (province, city or
barangay) implement to advance the people’s welfare. Write your answers in the boxes below.

Province City/Municipality Barangay

D. Poster Making Direction:

Our local governments are responsible for most aspects of our everyday lives, helping us
live with ease and convenience. Using the space below, make a poster of different impactful
services or projects that local governments provide. You may come up with a title for your drawing.
Your work will be rated using a rubric.

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VI. REFERENCES

Cruz, Isagani. 2002. Philippine Constitutional Law. Quezon City: Central LawbookPublishing.

De Leon, Hector and De Leon, Hector Jr. 2004. Textbook on the Philippine Constitution.Manila: Rex
Bookstore.

Exit Ticket 3-2-1. StoryboardThat. 2018.Accessed, July14, 2020.

http://sbt.blob.core.windows.net/storyboards/cs-examples/exit-ticket---3-21-s-duv-rou.png.

Tabajen, Rhene and Pulma, Erlinda. 2003. Philippine Politics and Governance with Philippine
Constitution. Manila: JFS Publishing Services.

The Local Government Code of the Philippines. Official Gazette. 1991. Accessed, July12, 2020.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/1991/10oct/19911010-RA7160-CCA.pdf.

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