membership of 148 cities. The organization was formed to help coordinate efforts to improve governance and local autonomy and to tackle issues such as preserving the environment and improving public works. List of cities , there are 148 cities in the Philippines. Baliwag in Bulacan is the newest city, after the plebiscite held resulted in approval of ratification on December 17, 2022. Largest cities Metropolitan areas City facts By population (2020 census figures) Smallest: Palayan (45,383) Largest: Quezon City (2,960,048) By population density (calculated using 2020 census figures): Most densely populated: Manila, with 41,515 people per square kilometer Most sparsely populated: Puerto Princesa, with 130 people per square kilometer By land area: Smallest: San Juan, with an area of Largest: Davao City, with an area of . However, some sources claim that Puerto Princesa covers an area of more than , its officially recognized land area figure (according to IRA share calculation data) is . Contrary to popular belief within the Philippines, Davao City does not hold the record of being the world's largest city in terms of land area. By elevation: Lowest: Most Philippine cities are located on sea level. However, some parts of Navotas, South Caloocan and Malabon are below sea level, and continue to experience subsidence. Highest: much of Baguio is situated more than above sea level. However, the peak of Mount Apo, the tallest mountain in the Philippines, forms part of Davao City's boundary with the municipality of Bansalan, Davao del Sur; the city of Digos encompasses a section of the Mount Apo Natural Park as well. Most extreme points: Northernmost: Laoag Southernmost: General Santos Easternmost: Bislig Westernmost: Puerto Princesa Defunct/dissolved cities Legazpi City (1948–1954): Legazpi's cityhood was approved on June 18, 1948. Under Republic Act No. 306, Legazpi became a city after the President of the Philippines proclaimed its cityhood. Comprising the present-day territories of Legazpi City and Daraga, the city was dissolved on June 8, 1954 when Legazpi and Daraga were made into separate municipalities. Legazpi eventually became a city on its own on June 12, 1959. Basilan City (1948–1973): Formerly part of the city of Zamboanga until it was made a city on its own in 1948 through Republic Act No. 288. Delimited to only the downtown area of what is now Isabela City upon the creation of the province of Basilan in 1973 through Presidential Decree No. 356 by President Ferdinand Marcos.