PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

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QUARTER 2
WEEK 2
Competencies covered:

1.Explain the roles

and functions of Quarter 2- Module 2:
Local Government
Unit (LGU). LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
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What I Know (Pretest)

This activity will enable you to assess your prior knowledge from the topic
that will be discussed in this lesson.

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer, and write the CAPITAL
LETTER of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
___1. It is the lowest level of territorial organization within a state.

A. National Government B. Local Government C. International

___2. Which of the following does not belong to the political subdivision?

A. Provinces B. State C. Municipalities

___3. These political subdivisions are under in what government agency?

A. DILG B. DFA C. PCOO

___4. What is the law making body of the province?

A. Provincial Board B. Provincial Legislative C. Governor

___5. How do you call the head of a Barangay?

A. Governor B. Barangay Captain C. Mayor

___6. Who is the chief executive officer in the town?

A. Governor B. Barangay Captain C. Mayor

___7. In what article in 1987 Philippine Constitution provides the guidelines for LGU?

A. Article X B. Article XI C. Article XII

___8. The lawmaking body of the city is ____________.

A. Board of Members B. Department Heads C. Councils

___9. It is the the smallest units of local government in the Philippines.

A. Region B. Municipalities C. Barangays

___10. How many municipalities does the Philippines has?

A. 1540 B. 1405 C. 1450

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What I need to know:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

 Identify the roles and functions of Local Government Unit;

 Evaluate the performance of a local government unit through its provided
services; and
 Conduct an interview with barangay officials on community programs.

What’s New

Activity 1. KWL Chart Organizer

Directions: Answer first the two columns of the KWL Chart about the Local
Government Unit. After the discussion of the topic, go back to this activity and
complete the table through answering the Third Column. Copy the table and
write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned

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What Is It
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
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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

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
PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
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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

5) to establish and maintain an efficient police department and an

adequate municipal jail.
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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.

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.
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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

Figure 1: Structure of Local Government (Padilla, 1998)

Photo Source: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/roleoflocalgovernment-110826092012-phpapp02/95/role-

of-local-government-11-728.jpg?cb=1314351710
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What’s More

Activity 2: Summarizing Organizer

Complete the table and write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Roles, Functions,
Political Subdivision Officials
and Power

Provinces

Municipalities

Cities

Barangays
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Activity 3: LGU Projects and Initiatives
Directions: Identify and evaluate the activities done by your local LGU (Province,
Municipality/city, and Barangay Level) in the following services. Copy the table
and write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Municipalities/
Services Province Barangays
Cities

Health and Social

Services

Environmental
Management

Agriculture

Infrastructure

Tourism
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Education

Activity 4: What Have I Learned So Far?

Directions: Write a reflection learned from the discussion. In writing your

reflection, you have to complete the sentence and write your answers on a
separate sheet of paper.

I learned that_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

I realized that__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

If given a chance_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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What I Have Learned

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. 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).

What I Can Do
The Local Government Unit and its people should work hand-in-
hand in order to ensure a healthy and progressive community. With this, your
task is to make an interview to a Barangay Captain in your locality and ask them
about their projects and initiatives to make your place a safe and develop
barangay. Use the template provided in conducting the interview and answer the
following questions.

Name of Barangay Official: __________________________________

Designation: Barangay Captain

Number of Years in Service: _________________________________

Name of Project: ____________________________________________

Description of Project:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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Purpose of the Project:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Implementation Process and Timeline:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Expected Outcome:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Questions:

1. In your own evaluation, does the project can truly help your own
locality? Explain.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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2. As a Filipino Citizen, how can you help your own Barangay to
ensure the success of the said project?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. If you are the Barangay Captain in your own Barangay, what are
your top three possible projects and why?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Post test

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer, and write the CAPITAL
LETTER of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
___1. It is the lowest level of territorial organization within a state.

A. National Government B. Local Government C. International

___2. Which of the following does not belong to the political subdivision?

A. Provinces B. State C. Municipalities

___3. These political subdivisions are under in what government agency?

A. DILG B. DFA C. PCOO

___4. This is the law making body of the province.

A. Provincial Board B. Provincial Legislative C. Governor

___5. How do you call the head of a Barangay?

A. Governor B. Barangay Captain C. Mayor

___6. Who is the chief executive officer in the town?

A. Governor B. Barangay Captain C. Mayor

___7. In what article in 1987 Philippine Constitution provides the guidelines for LGU?

A. Article X B. Article XI C. Article XII

___8. The lawmaking body of the city is ____________.

A. Board of Members B. Department Heads C. Councils

___9. It is the smallest units of local government in the Philippines.

A. Region B. Municipalities C. Barangays

___10. How many municipalities does the Philippines has?

A. 1540 B. 1405 C. 1450

 Module 7 Answer Key:
Pre Test (Multiple Choice)
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. C
10. A
Activity 1: KWL Chart Organizer
 Learners’ Answers may vary
Activity 2: Summarizing Organizer
 Learners’ Answers may vary
Activity 3: LGU Projects and Initiatives
 Learners’ Answers may vary
Activity 4: What Have I learned So Far?
 Learners’ Answers may vary (Essay)
Post Test
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. B
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. C
10. A
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References:

Jo Balucanag - Bitonio. 2011. “Role of Local Government.” August 26, 2011.

Accessed July 22, 2020. https://www.slideshare.net/jobitonio/role-of-
local-government-9022661.

DILG: Department of the Interior and Local Government - Kagawaran Ng

Interyor at Pamahalaang Lokal. n.d. “The Local Government Code of the
Philippines” Www.Dilg.Gov.Ph. Accessed July 22, 2020.
https://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/reports_resources/dilg-reports-
resources-2016120_fce005a61a.pdf

2019. Ph.Net. 2019. http://www.ph.net/htdocs/government/phil/loc-

gov/index.html.

“The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines | GOVPH.” 2019. Official

Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. 2019. Accessed July 22, 2020.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/.

2020. Slidesharecdn.Com. 2020. Accessed July 22, 2020.

https://image.slidesharecdn.com/roleoflocalgovernment-110826092012-
phpapp02/95/role-of-local-government-11-728.jpg?cb=1314351710.