This article, which is a past of the book "Local Government in the Philippines: A Book of Readings (Volume 1)", expounds on the nature of local governments as territorial and political subdivisions and as legal authorities providing services. In addition, it gives the salient features and distinctions of local governments, the rationale for its existence, a review of local government systems and discusses local autonomy. The last part relates the background, structures and functions of local governments in the Philippines.
