PH- Tarlac Tarlac City 1.4% 1,366,027 3,053.

60 km2 450/km2 28 Mar Luzon III 17 1 511

TAR (1,179.00 sq mi) (1,200/sq mi) 1873

[34][35]

PH- Tawi-Tawi Bongao[36] 0.4% 390,715 1,087.40 km2 360/km2 11 Sep Mindanao BARMM 11 — 203

TAW (419.85 sq mi)[37] (930/sq mi) 1973

PH- Zambales[xxiii] Iba 0.8% 823,888 3,830.83 km2 220/km2 1578 Luzon III 13 1 247

ZMB (1,479.09 sq mi) (570/sq mi)

PH- Zamboanga del Dipolog 1.0% 1,011,393 7,301.00 km2 140/km2 6 Jun Mindanao IX 25 2 691

ZAN Norte (2,818.93 sq mi) (360/sq mi) 1952

PH- Zamboanga del Pagadian 1.9% 1,872,473 5,914.16 km2 320/km2 1 Sep Mindanao IX 26 2 779

ZAS Sur[xxiv] (2,283.47 sq mi) (830/sq mi) 1914

PH-ZSI Zamboanga Ipil 0.6% 633,129 3,607.75 km2 180/km2 22 Feb Mindanao IX 16 1 389

Sibugay (1,392.96 sq mi) (470/sq mi) 2001

PH-00 Metro Manila Manila † 12.8% 12,877,253 638.55 km2 20,000/km2 — Luzon NCR[B] 1 16 1,706

(246.55 sq mi) (52,000/sq mi)

1. ^ Dates could refer to provincehood as established during the Spanish period, American period, or through Republic Acts.

2. ^ Metro Manila is included for comparison although it is not a province but an administrative region.

Table notes[edit]

1. ^ Figures include the independent city of Butuan.

2. ^ Cabadbaran has been made the official capital of the province, as per Republic Act No. 8811. However, the seat of the provincial government is still in the process of being

transferred from Butuan, where the provincial government still holds office.

3. ^ The province maintains another government center in Luna, where many national and provincial agencies now hold office. [11]
 4. ^ Figures include the city of Isabela.

5. ^ The city of Isabela is regionally served by the offices of Region IX.

6. ^ Figures include the independent city of Baguio.

7. ^ Figures include the independent city of Naga.

8. ^ Figures include the independent cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

9. ^ Figures include the independent city of Davao.

10. ^ Figures include the independent city of Iloilo.

11. ^ Figures include the independent city of Santiago.

12. ^ Figures include the independent city of Iligan.

13. ^ Figures include the independent cities of Ormoc and Tacloban.

14. ^ Figures include the independent city of Cotabato.

15. ^ Figures include the independent city of Cagayan de Oro.

16. ^ Figures include the independent city of Bacolod.

17. ^ The provincial government still uses and maintains facilities in the former capital, Cabanatuan.

18. ^ Figures include the independent city of Puerto Princesa.

19. ^ Figures include the independent city of Angeles.

20. ^ Figures include the independent city of Dagupan.

21. ^ Figures include the independent city of Lucena.

22. ^ Figures include the independent city of General Santos.

23. ^ Figures include the independent city of Olongapo.

24. ^ Figures include the independent city of Zamboanga.

Former provinces[edit]

 Manila (until 1901) – Incorporated into Rizal; portions around Manila later consolidated to

form present-day NCR.
 Lepanto-Bontoc (1902–1908) – Incorporated into Mountain Province.
 Moro Province (1903–1913) – Converted to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu,
composed of seven provinces. Now part of several regions in Mindanao.
 Ambos Camarines (1901–1908) – Divided into Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur,
although the wording of Act No. 2809 implies Camarines Norte was created from Ambos
Camarines, the remainder of which was renamed Camarines Sur. Camarines Sur
retained the provincial capital of Nueva Caceres.
 Misamis (1901–1939) – Partitioned into Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.
Misamis Oriental retained the provincial capital of Cagayan.
 Mindoro (1902–1950) – Divided into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. Oriental
Mindoro retained the provincial capital of Calapan.
 Zamboanga (1914–1952) – Partitioned into Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del
Sur. The de jure provincial capital of Molave was placed under the jurisdiction of
Zamboanga del Sur which had its capital in Pagadian. Zamboanga Sibugay later created
from Zamboanga del Sur.
 Lanao (1914–1959) – Divided into Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. Lanao del Sur
retained the provincial capital of Dansalan (now Marawi).
  Surigao (1901–1967) – Partitioned into Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. Surigao
del Norte retained the provincial capital of Surigao City and the provincial seal. The
province of Dinagat Islands was later created from Surigao del Norte.
 Davao (1914–1967; 1972–1998) – Divided into Davao del Norte, Davao del
Sur and Davao Oriental. Davao del Norte was officially known as Davao from 1972 to
1998, when Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro) was later created from Davao
province. Davao Occidental later created from Davao del Sur.
 Agusan (1907–1967) – Partitioned into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. Agusan
del Norte retained the former provincial capital of Butuan. The provincial capital was
officially transferred to Cabadbaran in 2000 but the provincial government services and
functions are yet to be completely transferred to the new capital. [38]

 Negros del Norte (1985–1986) – Batas Pambansa Blg. 885,  which created a new

[39]

province out of the northern part of Negros Occidental, took effect on December 23,
1985, with a plebiscite to ratify the law held on January 3, 1986. The province comprised
the present-day cities of Cadiz (which was to serve as the
capital), Escalante, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay and Victorias, as well as the municipalities
of Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona, Manapla, Salvador Benedicto and Toboso. Despite
voters ratifying Batas Pambansa Blg. 885, on July 11, 1986 the Supreme Court declared
the law and the proclamation of the province null and void. The ruling states the enabling
law was unconstitutional for, among other things, not including the rest of Negros
Occidental in the plebiscite, and the proposed province not meeting the 3,500 square
kilometre land area requirement of the 1983 Local Government Code. [40]

 Kalinga-Apayao (1966–1995) – Divided into Apayao and Kalinga. Kalinga retained the

provincial capital of Tabuk.
 Shariff Kabunsuan (2006–2008) – Republic Act No. 9054 conferred to the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao expanded powers, especially the capacity to create
provinces (Article VI, Section 19).  Based on this, the ARMM Regional Legislative
[41]

Assembly enacted Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 201 on August 28, 2006. The Act
created a new province, comprising all the municipalities in the first congressional district
of Maguindanao (except Cotabato City), with its capital at Datu Odin Sinsuat. The
province's creation was approved on October 28, 2006 by a majority vote in a plebiscite.
Responding to requests for clarification as to which congressional districts form Shariff
Kabunsuan for the 2007 elections (specifically whether Cotabato City was part of the
representation of the new province), COMELEC issued Resolution No. 7845, which
initially held Cotabato City to be the sole remaining LGU in the First District of
Maguindanao. COMELEC later amended this with Resolution No. 7902, which
maintained the status quo before the province's creation. The COMELEC resolutions
became the subject of a case in which the Supreme Court opined that because "the
power to create new a province or city inherently involves the power to create a
legislative district"—a power that Congress did not explicitly delegate to the ARMM
Regional Assembly—the creation of a province by a lower legislative body (the ARMM
Regional Assembly) will necessarily entail the creation of a legislative district for a higher
legislative body (Congress). Therefore, on July 16, 2008, the Supreme Court declared
Section 19, Article VI of RA No. 9054 unconstitutional, MMA Act No. 201 void,
and COMELEC Resolution No. 7902 valid. [42]

Etymologies[edit]
For a more comprehensive list, see List of Philippine provincial name etymologies.

History[edit]
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Timeline[edit]
When the United States acquired the Philippines from Spain in 1898, the islands were divided into four gobiernos (governments),
which were further subdivided into provinces and districts. The American administration initially inherited the Spanish divisions and
placed them under military government. As insurgencies were pacified, civil government was gradually organized.

 November 23, 1900: Civil government of the province of Benguet established

through Act No. 49. Capital moved to Baguio.
 February 6, 1901: Act No. 83 ("The Provincial Government Act") enacted by
the Philippine Commission.
 February 13, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Pampanga through Act No. 85.
 February 16, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Pangasinan through Act No. 86. Towns of Balungao, Rosales, San
Quintin and Umingan annexed from Nueva Ecija.
 February 18, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Tarlac through Act No. 87.
 February 27, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Bulacan through Act No. 88. Capital moved to Malolos.
 March 2, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Bataan through Act No. 92.
 March 12, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Tayabas through Act No. 103. Capital moved to Lucena.
 March 16, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Romblon,
elevated from Spanish-era status of District, through Act No. 104.
 March 18, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Masbate,
elevated from Spanish-era status of District, through Act No. 105.
 April 11, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Iloilo, formed
through the merging of the Spanish-era Province of Iloilo with the Comandancia of
Concepcion, through Act No. 113.
 April 13, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Antique through Act No. 114.
 April 15, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Capiz through Act No. 115.
 April 18, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Cebu through Act No. 116.
 April 20, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Bohol through Act No. 117.
 April 22, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Leyte through Act No. 121.
 April 26, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Albay through Act No. 122.
 April 27, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Ambos
Camarines through Act No. 123.
 April 30, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Sorsogon through Act No. 124.
 May 1, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Occidental
Negros and Oriental Negros through Acts No. 119 and 120, respectively, enacted on
April 20, 1901; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to newly
created Marinduque through Act No. 125.
 May 2, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended
to Batangas through Act No. 126.
 May 15, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Surigao,
elevated from Spanish-era status of District, through Act No. 127; Provisions of the
Provincial Government Act extended to Misamis through Act No. 128.
 June 11, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to newly
created Rizal, formed through the merging of the Politico-Military District of Morong with
the entire province of Manila except the territory of the city of Manila, through Act No.
137; Provisions of the Provincial Government Act extended to Cavite through Act No.
138. Annexed Lubang and adjacent islands to the province. Provincial government
provided an option to move capital from the town of Cavite; Provisions of the Provincial
Government Act extended to Nueva Ecija through Act No. 139. Provincial government
provided an option to move capital from the town of San Isidro.
 July 16, 1901: Catanduanes annexed to Albay through Act No. 169.
 July 17, 1901: Batangas, Bohol and Cebu placed under the control of military governors
through Act No. 173.
 August 15, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to La Union through Act No. 203.
 August 16, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Ilocos Sur through Act No. 205.
 August 19, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Abra, excluding its territory east of the crest of the Cordillera Central,
through Act No. 206.
 August 20, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Ilocos Norte through Act No. 207.
 August 22, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Cagayan through Act No. 209. The Babuyan Islands and the Spanish-era
province of Batanes annexed to the province.
 August 24, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Isabela through Act No. 210.
 August 28, 1901: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Zambales through Act No. 211.
 January 1, 1902: Civil government of the Province of Cebu restored through Act No.
322 enacted on December 20, 1901.
 January 28, 1902: Civil government of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya established
through Act No. 337.
 April 1, 1902: Civil government of the Province of Bohol restored through Act No.
365 enacted on March 3, 1902.
 May 28, 1902: Spanish-era comandancias of Amburayan, Bontoc and Lepanto organized
into sub-provinces under the new province of Lepanto-Bontoc through Act No. 410.
Areas between Abra and Cagayan not yet placed under the jurisdiction of any province
annexed as part of the sub-province of Bontoc.
 June 12, 1902: Spanish-era districts of El Principe and Infanta, including the Polillo
Islands, annexed to Tayabas through Act No. 417.
 June 17, 1902: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments
extended to Samar through Act No. 419.
 June 23, 1902: Civil government of the Province of Paragua established through Act No.
422; Mindoro, Lubang and surrounding small islands annexed to Marinduque through Act
No. 423.
 July 1, 1902: Provisions of the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended
to La Laguna through Act No. 424.
 November 10, 1902: Marinduque annexed to Tayabas through Act No. 499; Provisions of
the Provincial Government Act and its amendments extended to newly created Mindoro,
separated from Marinduque through Act No. 500.
 May 14, 1903: Cagayancillo, Balabac and the rest of Palawan Island (south of Tapul and
Ulugan rivers) annexed to Paragua through Act No. 747. Provincial government provided
the option to choose capital between Cuyo or Puerto Princesa.
 May 26, 1903: Spanish-era Comandancia of Kayapa annexed to Benguet through Act
No. 768.
 July 15, 1903: Moro Province formed, composed of the districts of Cotabato, Davao,
Lanao, Sulu, and Zamboanga through Act No. 787 enacted on June 1, 1903.
 April 1, 1905: Abra annexed to Ilocos Sur as sub-province through Act No. 1306 enacted
on February 27, 1905.
 April 19, 1905: Catanduanes established as sub-province of Albay through Act No. 1331.
 June 28, 1905: Name of Paragua changed to Palawan through Act No. 1363.
 January 1, 1906: Masbate annexed to Sorsogon as sub-province through Act No.
1413 enacted on November 23, 1905.
 May 9, 1907: Apayao and Kalinga established as sub-provinces
of Cagayan and Lepanto-Bontoc, respectively, through Act No. 1642.
 July 15, 1907: