Introduction
The Philippine Standard Geographic Code (PSGC) is a systematic classification and coding of geographic areas in the Philippines. It is based on the four (4) well-established hierarchical levels of geographical-political subdivisions of the country, viz., administrative region, province, municipality/city, and barangay. Districts are the same level as provinces, but defined differently.
We have synthesized official references into coherent annual lists ("geo code vintages") at each geo level, which you can use to answer questions like "at time T, what are the component cities C of region R? We account for the three possible circumstances ("mutations"):
- The boundaries of an existing area change, but its name is retained -- Replace the area by declaring a new geo code, and substitute into the "after" vintage.
- A new area is created, usually in conjunction with the redefinition of an existing area -- Declare a new geo code, and add to the "after" vintage.
- An existing area is terminated, usually because it has fissioned -- Retire the geo code from the "after" vintage.
Note that a geo code may remain in statistical use even after the area has been terminated as an administrative entity. We do not double-guess our historical sources.
Summary of mutations
Table 1. Counts of areas (not geo codes) at each geo level in each vintage; counts of each of mutation between the vintages.
Geo level | 2019 | 2015 | Replace | Add | Retire |
Regions |
17 |
18 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
Districts |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Provinces |
116 |
116 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Specific mutations
Table 2. Regions retired or replaced.
Regions | Code | Note |
Region VI (Western Visayas) |
IPHL_WE |
Gained part of NIR. |
Region VII (Central Visayas) |
IPHL_CN |
Gained part of NIR. |
Negros Island Region (NIR) (a.k.a. Region XVIII) |
IPHL_NR |
Divided between Region VI and Region VII. |
Table 3. Regions added or replaced.
Regions | Code | Note |
Region VI (Western Visayas) |
IPHL_WV |
Gained Negros Occidental, City of Bacolod (capital of NIR). |
Region VII (Central Visayas) |
IPHL_CE |
Gained Negros Oriental. |
Table 4. Districts retired - None.
Table 5. Districts added - None.
Table 6. Provinces retired - None.
Table 7. Provinces added - None.
Reference files
The reference file is an Excel workbook with a separate worksheet for each geo type, tabulating (as applicable) the area name, type, Data Buffet geo code, and parent area.
The "after" geo vintage:
- Go to: DataBuffet.com » menu:Tools » Reference Files » Geographies » Philippines - Geographic Lists - 2019
- Direct link: IPHL_GeographyLists_2019.xlsx
The "before" geo vintage:
References
See also
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