 What is R.A 7160?

In 1991, Republic act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government
Code was enacted into law, transferring control and responsibility of
delivering basic services to the hands of local government units (LGU). It
aimed to enhance provision of services in the grass roots level as well as
improve the efficiency in resource allocation. It categorically specifies that
the state shall provide for a system of decentralization whereby LGUs shall
be given more powers, authority, responsibility and resource. It is meant to
transform Local Government Units as self-reliant communities and active
partners in nation building by giving them more powers, authority,
responsibilities and resources.IT’S AN ACT REVERTING TO THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT THE DISCHARGE OF HEALTH FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
DEVOLVED TO CERTAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF
1991. The intent of the Local Government Code of 1991 is to strengthen the
capabilities of local government as front-line governments and to address
critical gaps in the delivery of services in habitually neglected areas,
particularly in aspects of poverty alleviation and in stimulating development
activities.

 What is Local Autonomy?

Local Autonomy comes from Greek word autonomia which means “self”
and nomos which means “law”. When combined, it means “live under one’s
own laws”. Local autonomy is a highly valued feature of good governance.
The continuous efforts of many European countries to strengthen the
autonomy of local government show the importance given to
decentralization and the transfer of far-reaching competences to the
lowest units.

A significant move to decentralize governance was embarked in 1991 with

the enactment of the Local Government Code that radically transformed
the nature of central-government relations with massive devolution of
powers to the local government units (LGUs).

When the Philippines was granted political independence by the United

States in 1946, the first local autonomy act was enacted. The Local
Autonomy Law, passed by the House of Representatives and the House of
Peers on March 28, 1947 and promulgated as Law No. 67 of 1947 on April
17, is an Act of devolution that established most of Japan’s contemporary
local government structures and administrative divisions, including
preferences, municipalities and other entities.

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 possess 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. A province elects its executives -- the governor, vice
governor, and the members of the provincial board.
 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. The
elective officials are the municipal mayor, vice mayor, and councilors.

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.

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.

THE PRINCIPAL
AUTHOR OF R. A 7160

He was “Father of
Local Government
Code” as he was the
principal author of
Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 which aimed to
“liberate provinces, cities, municipalities and barangay from over-
dependence upon the central government by increasing their powers and
share in the taxes and wealth of the nation.”