DECENTRALIZATION

AND
GOVERNANCE
Evolution of Local Autonomy

Historical Period Significant Historical Development

that affected Decentralization and
Local Governance 
Pre-Hispanic Societies • The Chieftain of native settlements
exercised executive, judicial and
legislative powers assisted by
Council of Elders 
• Monarchial Chieftain called the
datu, panginoo or pangolo heads an
autonomous territorial and political
units
Spanish Colonial Period • Colonial governments consolidated
(1521-1902) autonomous villages into pueblos
(towns), cabildos (cities) and
provincias(provinces)
• In 1893, the Spanish Colonizers
enacted the Maura Law
Evolution of Local Autonomy

Historical Period Significant Historical

Development that affected
Decentralization and Local
Governance 
Commonwealth Period (1935- • Local Governments were
1946) placed under the general
supervision of the President
• President Quezon preferred to
appoint the chief officials of
cities
Evolution of Local Autonomy

Historical Period Significant Historical Development that

affected Decentralization and Local
Governance 
Post-war Era (1946-1972) • In 1959, the first local autonomy act (RA
2264) entitled “An Act Amending the Laws
Governing Local Governments by
Increasing their Autonomy and
Reorganizing Provincial Governments” was
enacted. It vested in City and municipal
governments greater fiscal, planning and
regulatory powers.
• In 1959, the Barrio Charter Act (RA 2370)
sought to transform the barrios, the smallest
political unit of the local government system
into quasi-municipal corporations by vesting
them some taxing powers. Barrios were to
be governed by an elective barrio council.
• Decentralization Act of 1967” (RA 5185) It
further increased the financial resources of
local governments and broadened their
decision-making powers over administrative
(mostly fiscal and personnel) matters
Evolution of Local Autonomy
Historical Period Significant Historical
Development that affected
Decentralization and Local
Governance 
Marcos Regime (1972-1986) • The imposition of Martial Law in
1972 abolished local elections.
• Local Government Code of
1983 (Batas Pambansa Bilang
337) which reiterated the policy
of the State of Local autonomy
Evolution of Local Autonomy

Historical Period Significant Historical

Development that affected
Decentralization and Local
Governance 

Post Marcos Era (1986-present) • 1987 constitution was

promulgated. It included
specific provisions
guaranteeing autonomy to
local governments
• The Local Government Code
was enacted in 1991
Salient features of the
Local Government
Code of 1991
The Local Government Code of 1991

• Provides the overarching framework of

local governance in the Philippines
• Key Principles
– Local autonomy
– Decentralization
– Accountability
– Participative governance
Basic Facts:

• 106M+ people in 7,107 islands

• Government: Republican
– Executive, Legislative (Bicameral), Judiciary
• Local Government Units
– 81 provinces
– 145 cities
– 1489 municipalities
– 42,036 barangays
Structure of Local Governments

• Local governments are created on the basis

of income, population and land area;
• They may be divided, merged, or abolished
due to the same criteria;
• Before an LGU is created, divided, merged,
or abolished there is a plebiscite
requirement to fulfill
Structure of Local Governments
• Province
– Land area of 2000 sq km
– Population of 250,000
– Annual Income of 20M
• City
– Land area of 100 sq km
– Population of 150,000
– Annual Income of 20M
Structure of Local Governments

• Municipality
– Land area of 50 sq km
– Population of 25,000
– Annual Income of 2.5M
• Barangay
– Population of 2,000
• In highly urbanized areas 5,000
Officials

• Province
– Governor, Vice-Governor and members of Sangguniang
Panlalawigan

• Cities and Municipalities

– Mayor, Vice-Mayor and members of the Council

Ex-Officio Members
• Local presidents of the leagues of barangays, the presidents of the
local federation of SK, and presidents of Sanggunian members
• One (1) from women, workers, and special sector
Governance

Exercise of power or authority by political leaders for

the well-being of their country’s citizens or subjects.

- Bevir, Mark (2013).

Governance: A Very Short Introduction
MAJOR
CHARACTERISTICS
OF GOOD
GOVERNANCE
Participation

Could be either direct or through legitimate

intermediate institutions or representatives.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Consensus-oriented

Consider…

what is in the best interest of the whole

community?

how can this be achieved?

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Accountability

An obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or

to account for one’s actions.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Transparency

information is freely available and directly accessible

to those who will be affected by the information and
their implications; and

enough information is provided in easily

understandable forms and media.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Responsiveness

Institutions try to serve all stakeholders within a

reasonable timeframe.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Effectiveness and
Efficiency

Effectiveness

processes and institutions produce results that meet the

needs of society

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
 Effectiveness and
Efficiency

Efficiency

• making the best use of resources at their disposal

• covers the sustainable use of natural resources and

the protection of the environment

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Equity and Inclusiveness

Focuses on the society’s well being on ensuring that:

• they have a stake in the organization; and

• they are not excluded from the mainstream of

society.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Rule of Law

• Requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced

impartially;

• Barangay Officials must serve with fairness; and

• must abide with the code of conduct and ethics which

govern public officials.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for

Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
DECENTRALIZATION
Decentralization
• The transfer of power and authority
from a central institution to lower or
local levels of a government system
• It has three (3) forms:
– Devolution
– Deconcentration
– Debureaucratization
3 forms of Decentralization

• Devolution
– Transfer of power and authority from the national
government to local government units (LGUs); political and
territorial
• Deconcentration
– Transfer of power, authority and responsibility or the
discretion to plan, decide and manage from central to local
levels; administrative and sectoral
• Debureaucratization
– Transfer of some public functions and responsibilities, which
government may perform, to private entities and NGOs
 Features & Modes

DECENTRALIZATI
ON

FEATURE
MODES
S

ADMINISTRATI DECONCENTRATIO
POLITICAL DEVOLUTION
VE N
Transfer of power for
the performance of
Delegating functions
Involves Focuses on certain functions from from the central
devolution of deconcentration of the central authorities government to lower
powers functions to the lower level of
levels
government
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CODE OF 1991: BASIC
SERVICES &
FACILITIES
Sec. 17 of the LGC
(Basic Services and Facilities)

LGUs shall endeavor to be self reliant &

shall continue exercising the powers &
discharging the duties & functions currently
vested upon them. LGUs shall likewise
exercise such other powers & discharge
such other functions & responsibilities as
are necessary, appropriate or incidental to
efficient & effective provision of the basic
services & facilities”.
Devolved Basic Services

On Health and Social Services

• Primary health care
• Maternal/child care
• Disease control services
• Provincial and district hospitals
and other services
Health and social welfare services
Devolved Basic Services

• On Environmental Management
– Solid waste disposal system
– Services or facilities related to general
hygiene and sanitation
– Implementation of community-based forestry
projects which include integrated social
forestry programs and similar projects
– Management and control of communal forests
Hygiene & Sanitation, Beautification,
& Solid Waste Management
Devolved Basic Services

• On Agriculture
– Inter -Barangay irrigation system
– Water and soil resource utilization and
conservation projects
– Enforcement of fishery laws in municipal
waters including the conservation of
mangroves
3. Agricultural Support
Services
Devolved Basic Services

• On Infrastructure
– Maintenance and Rehabilitation of the following:
• Roads/bridges
• School buildings
• Clinics, health centers
• Communal irrigation
• Fish ports, seawalls
• Waterworks/supplies
• Drainage
• Multi-purpose pavements
• Public markets
Infrastructure facilities
Maintenance of barangay roads and
bridges and water supply systems
Devolved Basic Services

On Tourism
• Tourism development and
promotion programs
• Regulatory/supervision tourist
business concessions
• Regulatory/supervision security
services for tourist business
conceptions
Maraming Salamat