Local Government Units: the Municipality

The municipality is a group of barangays. It serves as a general purpose government for the delivery of basic, regular and direct services and effective governance of the inhabitants of its territory. It is created by law, not by ordinance., and subject to a plebiscite held by the COMELEC in the LGU/s directly affected. Once the plebiscite is held, the creation of the municipality takes effect within 120 days from the holding of the plebiscite unless the law creating the municipality specified a different date or time frame.

Requisites:

1.) Average annual income of at least Php 2.5 million (certified by the provincial treasurer) for at least 2 consecutive years

2.) Minimum population of 25,000 inhabitants (certified by the NSO)

3.) Contiguous territory of at least 50 sq. km

The creation of a new municipality must not reduce the territory and population of the original municipalities to below the minimum requisites.

Contiguity of territory isn't necessary if the municipalities consist of 2 or more islands. The territorial jurisdiction of the municipality, like the barangay, must be properly identified.

The average annual income includes the income accruing to the municipality's general fund, excluding special funds, transfers and non-recurring income.