The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas is the national government organization of 42,011 barangays comprising the Republic of the Philippines. Organically, its mandate is rooted in the Local Government Code of 1991, which provides for the formation of Leagues in all levels of the local bureaucratic hierarchy.
As an organization, the Liga serves as a venue for the barangays to articulate, ventilate and crystallize issues affecting barangay government administration and secure solutions to these issues through proper and legal means.
Organizationally, the Liga ng mga Barangay has chapters at the provincial, city and municipal levels, making it the only non-government institution that has presence nationwide.
Empowering
Local Communities
Serbisyong May Puso
Guided by the principle of "Serbisyong May Puso," the Liga remains steadfast in its mission to serve communities with compassion, integrity, and dedication. This heartfelt commitment drives every initiative—from social assistance and community development to capacity-building and policy advocacy—ensuring that the Liga’s vision of empowered barangays and responsive local governance is realized through genuine, people-centered service.
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Our mission & vision:
Our Mission
To ensure that all benefits, including those provided under Section 393 of the Local Government Code of 1991 shall be fully implemented and given to all barangay officials, volunteers, and other intended recipients;
To strive to attain the aspirations of all barangays to be treated as decent, albeit small, units of government, and to this end all members or representatives should act with decency, dignity, honesty, and sincerity;
To serve as forum where the members may ventilate their concerns, sentiments, and grievances and to find effective solutions thereto;
To promote and exhibit solidarity with, and among members and chapters; and,
To assist the members and chapter toward their development and progress.
To strive to attain the aspirations of all barangays to be treated as decent, albeit small, units of government, and to this end all members or representatives should act with decency, dignity, honesty, and sincerity;
To serve as forum where the members may ventilate their concerns, sentiments, and grievances and to find effective solutions thereto;
To promote and exhibit solidarity with, and among members and chapters; and,
To assist the members and chapter toward their development and progress.
Our Vision
To achieve the objectives and goals of Barangay governance pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, and to promote the general welfare, interest, security, and protection of Barangay officials and constituents.
Our History
Key Milestones
and Historic Achievements
A journey through the defining moments that shaped the Liga ng mga Barangay into the nation’s foremost and largest local government organization.
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900AD
Pre-Colonial Barangay Leadership
In pre-colonial Philippines, the barangay—named after the Malayo-Polynesian balangay (boat)—was the basic social and political unit, typically composed of 30 to 100 families under the leadership of a datu. Serving as lawmaker, judge, executive, and war leader, the datu governed with the guidance of a council of elders, ensuring decisions aligned with customs and justice. Society was organized into a clear hierarchy: the maginoo (nobility), timawa (freemen or warriors), and alipin (dependents or servants), each fulfilling distinct economic and social roles. This system reflected a tradition of communal governance and collective decision-making, which underwent significant changes under Spanish colonial rule.
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1565
Spanish Era: From Datu to Cabeza de Barangay
During Spanish colonization, independent barangays were merged into larger administrative units called pueblos, and pre-colonial datus were transformed into cabezas de barangay—hereditary, unelected officials tasked primarily with tax collection, maintaining order, and enforcing colonial policies. As members of the Principalía (indigenous elite), cabezasand their immediate families were exempt from paying tribute, and in cases without heirs, appointments were made by colonial authorities, often on the recommendation of local leaders. Serving as intermediaries between the colonial government and the grassroots, cabezas also participated in selecting the gobernadorcillo, cementing their role in governance while reinforcing Spanish central control.
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1866
Transition to American Rule
When the United States assumed control of the Philippines in 1898 following the Spanish-American War, one of the key changes in local governance was the dismantling of the hereditary and elite-centered nature of leadership at the village level. The office of the cabeza de barangay, long reserved for members of the Principalía and often passed down through family lines, was restructured into an elective position. This reform was consistent with the American colonial administration’s broader policy of introducing democratic processes and expanding political participation. The role evolved into that of the barrio captain, chosen by qualified residents rather than appointed or inherited, which allowed ordinary citizens—beyond the traditional ruling families—to aspire to and occupy positions of local authority.
Over time, this elective system laid the foundation for the modern punong barangay, fostering a more representative and participatory form of grassroots governance that remains central to Philippine local administration today.
Over time, this elective system laid the foundation for the modern punong barangay, fostering a more representative and participatory form of grassroots governance that remains central to Philippine local administration today.
1958
BLAP: The first steps
In 1958, the Philippines saw the birth of its first nationwide organization dedicated to uniting village leaders—the Barrio Lieutenants’ Association of the Philippines (BLAP). This marked a significant milestone in local governance, as it created a formal platform for barrio lieutenants to collectively address community issues, share best practices, and strengthen their role in nation-building. Backed by the Presidential Arm on Community Development—an office tasked with promoting grassroots participation in government programs—BLAP quickly grew into a network of roughly 20,000 members representing barrios from across the country. The association’s first national president, Barrio Lieutenant Virgilio Hilario of Forbes Park, Makati, Rizal, played a pivotal role in organizing the fledgling group, fostering unity among leaders from both rural and urban communities. BLAP not only provided barrio lieutenants with a collective voice in national discussions but also laid the groundwork for the future evolution of barangay leadership organizations, eventually leading to the present-day Liga ng mga Barangay.
1974
Unifying the Barangay Councils: The Rise of the PKB
In 1974, a major structural reorganization reshaped the framework of barangay leadership representation across the country. The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) was formally established, creating an organized network from the grassroots to the national level. At the municipal level, it was known as the Municipal Association of Barangay Councils (MABC); in cities, the City Association of Barangay Councils (CABC); in provinces, the Provincial Federation of ABC (PFABC); and in regions, the Regional Federation. These layers were consolidated into a unified national body—the Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Barangay (PKB)—which served as the highest representative assembly of barangay councils nationwide. In January 1975, Mrs. Nora Z. Petines of San Isidro, Northern Samar, made history by being elected as the first national president of the PKB and notably, the first woman to lead the confederation. Her election not only marked a milestone for women’s leadership in local governance but also signaled the growing influence and formal recognition of barangay councils as vital partners in national development.
1992
Local Government Code: Barangay Autonomy and the Creation of the Liga
The formal establishment of the Liga ng mga Barangay came in July 1992, in accordance with the provisions of the 1991 Local Government Code. This landmark legislation gave full legal recognition to barangays as the basic political units of the nation, a status already affirmed in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which acknowledges their role as primary planning and implementing units of government policies, programs, and projects in the community. The Code also advanced the principle of local autonomy, granting barangays greater authority over their affairs and empowering them to respond more effectively to the needs of their constituents. Today, the Liga represents more than 42,000 barangays nationwide, standing as the largest organization of local government units in the country and serving as a unified and influential voice for grassroots governance.
Constitution and By-laws
Foundation of Our Governance and Operations
Foundation of
Our Governance and Operations
Explore the Liga ng mga Barangay Constitution and By-Laws—our core governance documents that shape our mission, guide our operations, and uphold the rights and duties of every member. Learn how these frameworks promote transparency, accountability, and strong leadership in every barangay.
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Election Code
Framework for Fair and Transparent Leadership Selection
Discover the Liga ng mga Barangay Election Code—your complete guide to the rules, procedures, and ethical standards governing our leadership elections. This code ensures that every election is conducted with fairness, integrity, and transparency, empowering barangay leaders to serve with legitimacy and public trust.
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