Local Autonomy in the Philippines

• Local autonomy is the concept
• Legal basis is the Local Government Code of 1991
• The 1987 Philippine constitution defines local autonomy

Local Autonomy Explained

• LGUs have the right to govern themselves in community affairs
• It does not mean complete separation from the national government because both still work together

Decentralization of Power

• When the national government transfers responsibilities to local governments
• Done in two ways: decentralization of administration, and decentralization of power

Decentralization of Administration

• The national government allows local governments to handle public services
• The national government still maintains oversight

Decentralization of Power

• This means the full transfer of authority
• LGUs gain independence in certain areas

Limits of Local Autonomy

• Pimentel vs. Aguirre case states that local governments can manage their own affairs
• Power is limited to administrative functions
• Local officials must follow national laws
• Local officials must remain accountable to higher authorities

Fiscal Autonomy

• LGUs can generate their own money
• Allows them to fund local projects
• LGUs can collect local taxes, fees and charges
• Examples include business permit fees and real property taxes
• LGUs receive a share from the national tax collection
• This share is called the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA)

Special Autonomous Regions

• Regions, such as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), have special autonomy
• Unlike regular LGUs, these regions have political autonomy
• Can create laws specific to their cultural and regional needs
• The 1987 Constitution allows them to have their own government structure
• This includes an executive department, a legislative assembly, and courts with jurisdiction over personal, family, and property laws