During the first half of the year 2003, two municipalities and three barangays were created in Mindanao. The municipalities of Sultan Mastura and Guindulungan were both created in the province of Maguindanao, ARMM by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy (MMA) Act No. 89 dated September 13, 1999 and ratified on March 15, 2003 and MMA Act No. 139 dated March 10, 2003, respectively.

Barangay Pulung Bulu was created in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Region III through Provincial Ordinance No. 2002-110 dated February 4, 2003, Barangay Datu Maguiales was created in the municipality of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, Region XII by virtue of Res. No. 126 9th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) -01 and SP Ord. No. 19 dated October 29, 2001 and ratified on June 30, 2003, while Barangay Santa Cruz was created in the municipality of Tampakan, South Cotabato, Region XII per Res. No. 2 Series of 1988 and Res. No. 170 SP of South Cotabato and ratified on June 30, 2003.

These creations bring the total number of municipalities in the country to 1,497 and the total number of barangays to 41,959 in June 2003.

Other changes in the geographic classification include the following:

1. Transfer of barangays to the newly created municipalities:

Transferred barangays from Mun. of Sultan Kudarat to the newly created municipality of Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao, ARMM are:

	1. Balut	8. Simuay Seashore
	2. Boliok	9. Solon
	3. Bungabong	10. Tambo
	4. Dagurongan	11. Tapayan
	5. Kirkir	12. Tariken
	6. Macabiso (Macabico)	13. Tuka
	7. Namuken

Transferred barangays from Mun. of Talayan to new municipality of Guindulungan, Maguindanao, ARMM are:

	1. Ahan	7. Macasampen
	2. Bagan	8. Muslim
	3. Datalpandan	9. Muti
	4. Kalumamis	10. Sampao
	5. Kateman	11. Tambunan II
	6. Lambayao

2. Renaming of Barangay Lapla in Malalag, Davao del Sur, Region XI to Barangay Lapu-Lapu per SP Ordinance No. 18 Series of 1990.

Luzon, the largest island group in the country, has 8 regions with 38 provinces, 56 cities, 715 municipalities and 20,483 barangays. Visayas has 3 regions, 16 provinces, 32 cities, 376 municipalities and 11,443 barangays while Mindanao has 6 regions, 25 provinces, 27 cities, 406 municipalities and 10,033 barangays.

Number of Local Government Units (LGUs) by Island Group
(As of June 30, 2003 and as of December 31, 2002)

Source: National Barangay Operations Office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (NBOO/DILG)