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Administrative division changes in the Philippines: How did it evolve from 11 regions to 18 regions?
In the Philippines, the establishment of administrative regions is not only a geographical division, but also the basis for the effective operation of government agencies. Over time, the country's administrative divisions have expanded from the original 11 regions to the current 18 regions. The history and changes involved are worth exploring in depth.
"Changes in administrative divisions reflect a country's development needs and political dynamics."
History
The administrative divisions of the Philippines were first implemented on September 24, 1972, by Presidential Decree No. 1, when the country's provinces were divided into 11 regions. The division was part of President Ferdinand Marcos's comprehensive restructuring plan to promote effective economic development and better delivery of national government services.
Since then, new regions have been created over time, and some provinces have been moved from one region to another. For example, in 1973, Bombina Province was transferred from Region III (Central Luzon) to Region I (Ilocos Region).
Timeline of Change
In the following decades, the administrative divisions of the Philippines also underwent many adjustments and changes, such as the creation of the 12th District in 1975 and the declaration of the Greater Manila area as the National Capital Region in 1978. These changes have profoundly influenced the It has affected the governance and development of various places.
"As administrative regions change, we witness the evolution of local governance."
In 1990 and 1998, residents rejected referendums to create the Cordillera Autonomous Region, which allowed the Cordillera Administrative Region to retain its regular administrative region status. In addition, in 2019, the Autonomous Region of Muslims was changed to the Autonomous Region of Mambinaro after a referendum, providing greater autonomy for the governance of the Muslim regions in the south. The historical trajectories of these autonomous and administrative regions not only show the diversity of local governments, but also reflect the complexity of the political ecology.
Administrative divisions in 2024
According to the latest data as of 2024, the Philippines is now divided into 18 regions. These regions are divided into different island groups, including Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, reflecting their respective cultural and geographical characteristics.
The 18 regions cover the basic structures needed to maintain national policy and economic governance, demonstrating the government's flexibility to gradually adjust and its new adaptability to development.
"Every adjustment is a response to current actual needs."
Future Outlook
As society changes and technology advances, there is reason to believe that the administrative divisions of the Philippines will continue to evolve. Whether it is the newly proposed autonomous system or the changes to existing regions, it is clear that these are all intended to adapt to more complex social needs and economic environment. In addition, questions such as how local governments can play their role and how to promote public participation are also waiting to be answered in the future.
With the deepening of globalization, the question gradually surfaces: In such constant changes, what kind of enlightenment and challenges will the future administrative divisions of the Philippines bring us?
