During the early period of 

Spanish colonization, newly conquered areas were designated

as encomiendas which were headed by an encomendero chosen by the Spanish from among the
ranks of the powerful local nobles. Encomiendas were organized only for the purposes of collecting
tribute that went in part to the Roman Catholic Church, the Spanish army, and to the Royal Treasury.
Later on areas which were organized and given the designation of "province" (provincia) were led by
an appointed alcalde who performed judicial, fiscal and executive functions. This system of
government lasted for almost three hundred years until 1886 when a governor (gobernador) was first
appointed in each of the eighteen existing provinces, relegating the alcalde to carry out only judicial
functions.[2]