The RA7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991 gives the local government powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. To ensure the preservation and enhancement of culture, promotion of health and safety, right of people to a balanced ecology, development of scientific and technological capabilities, improvement of public morals, economic prosperity and social justice, full employment of residents, peace and order, and the preservation of comfort and convenience of its people.

The Constitution of the Philippines recognizes the importance of local governments. It provides as a policy that “the State shall guarantee and promote the autonomy of the local government units — especially the barangays — to ensure their fullest development as self-reliant communities.“

Local governments constitute the foundation of the entire structure of the government. The acts of the local government units affect the ordinary citizen more directly than those of the national government. The average citizen has more and closer contacts with the local governments and their agencies than with the national or provincial government, and is more concerned with the local affairs than with those of the national or provincial in scope.

The President of the Philippines exercises supervision over the whole country. But for purposes of administrative control, the Philippines is divided into units of different sizes — known as political subdivisions. These are provinces, municipalities, cities, and barangays. These political subdivisions enjoy autonomy, especially in local affairs. But, they are also under the general supervision of the Chief Executive, through the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). These local governments are agencies of the national government in the matter of collection of taxes, law enforcement, and other governmental functions, which may be delegated by the national government to these local governments.