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 Philippines portal |
A barangay captain (Filipino: kapitan ng barangay), or a barangay chairman (Filipino: punong barangay), is the highest elected official in a barangay, the smallest level of administrative divisions of the Philippines. Sitios and puroks are sub-divisions of barangays, but their leadership is not elected. As of March 2022, there are 42,046 barangays and therefore 42,046 barangay captains.[1]
The current position was created in 1991 and is a successor to historical positions known variously as cabeza de barangay, barrio lieutenant, and barrio captain.[citation needed]
Along with the college of barangay councilors, captains comprise the Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council). They perform many official government duties, and execute minor judicial powers as part of the Barangay Justice System, such as settling disputes between neighbors. Viewed as village elders, they also work informally with many organizations.[citation needed]
Captains are elected for three-year terms, although this may be modified due to election postponements.[2] Their most recent elections were held on October 30, 2023.
- ^ Philippine Statistics Authority (2022). Provincial Summary: Number of Provinces, Cities, Municipalities and Barangays, by Region: As of 31 March 2022 (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
- ^ "SC Declares Unconstitutional Law Postponing Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Orders the Conduct of Elections in October 2023, Issues Guidelines for Validity of Rules Postponing Elections". Supreme Court of the Philippines. June 27, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2024.