The Philippines is divided into 17 regions that serve as the country's first-level administrative divisions. These regions function primarily as administrative groupings for coordination and planning purposes rather than as autonomous governing units. They facilitate the implementation of national government programs and policies at a broader geographic level, serving as organizational frameworks for various national agencies and departments. Regional offices coordinate public services such as health, education, infrastructure, and social welfare across multiple provinces and cities within their jurisdiction. While most regions lack elected governing bodies and operate through appointed regional directors of national agencies, some regions like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (now the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region) possess greater self-governance. The regional structure helps bridge the gap between national government directives and local implementation at the provincial and municipal levels.