In the early 1950s, appointed presidential representatives to city and provincial governments have already organized themselves into an organization to push for reforms and lobby for the passage of the proposed Local Autonomy Bill.

In 1957, The Local Autonomy Bill of 1957 was passed and paved for the election of local government officials who organized themselves into a league.
With the passage of Barrio Charter recognizing the barrio as a unit of local government, the organization of local government officials expanded.

The organization campaigned for real power and authority, and for material resources needed to govern and deliver services. The organization then participated in the determination of internal revenue allotment (IRA).

With the issuance of Presidential Decree 114 in 1978, the participation of local government officials in IRA decisions ceased. The Ministry of the Budget was given the sole power to set the level of national support to LGUs.

This situation was further undermined by centralist policies issued between 1972 to 1986. More than 500 decrees, letters of instruction, orders, executive directives and memoranda affecting LGUs were issued by President Ferdinand Marcos. One granted the President power to appoint local government officials and extend their terms of office indefinitely.

Eventually, President Marcos reorganized the league of local government officials to support his rule. Along with the Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Punong Bayan sa Pilipinas (1976), the League of Governors was formally organized.

Following the EDSA uprising, the League was revitalized through the issuance of EO No. 262 by President Aquino. The directive provided for the creation of separate leagues - the League of Provinces, League of Municipalities and League of Cities.

After the ratification of 1987 Philippine Constitution, the League was formally established with the adoption of its charter in 25 May 1988.

When the Congress was inaugurated, the period saw the active participation of the League in drafting a new local government code. On 10 October 1991, the new Local Government Code was signed into law.

The Code recognized and institutionalized the League of Provinces of the Philippines as a forum to articulate issues affecting the provinces, and to provide and propose solutions to these concerns.

Since then, the League has consistently demonstrated its vision and mission to promote autonomy, and sternly lobbied against all proposed bills which undermine decentralization efforts. Most recent of which was the collective action by the League against the congressional decision to cut the IRA.

Today, the League has become an effective forum of intervention, and a rich source of materials for progressive polices and programs for the national government and it members.