A municipality (Tagalog: bayan; Hiligaynon: banwa; Cebuano: lungsod; Pangasinan: baley; Kapampangan: balen / balayan; Central Bikol: banwaan; Waray: bungto; Ilocano: ili; Spanish: municipio) is a local government unit (LGU) in the Philippines.

[2][12] During the American administration, the municipal system put in place by the preceding Spanish authorities was preserved and at the same time reformed with greater inclusiveness among all Filipinos.

[13] Municipal districts, which were in essence unincorporated areas presided over by local tribal chiefs set up by American authorities, were created for the first time in 1914.

They have been granted corporate personality enabling them to enact local policies and laws, enforce them, and govern their jurisdictions.

According to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,[18] a municipality shall mainly have a mayor (punong-bayan / alcalde), a vice mayor (pangalawang punong-bayan / vicealcalde) and members (kagawad/consejal) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature.

In circumstances where the mayor permanently or temporarily vacates the position, he shall assume executive duties and functions.

First, a bill must be passed in Congress, then signed into law by the President and then the residents would vote in the resulting plebiscite to accept or reject cityhood.

11964, otherwise known as the “Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act,” was signed by the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on 26 October 2023.