Romeo Gaco Bayating

Romeo Gaco Bayating is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Abiang in Atok, Benguet, Philippines, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. The position — also commonly referred to as Barangay Captain — is the elected head of the barangay's local government unit.

As the head of the smallest tier of Philippine local government, the Punong Barangay is responsible for everything from maintaining peace and order within the barangay to supervising the Barangay Development Plan, enforcing national and local laws within the barangay boundaries, and representing residents in the wider city or municipal government. The position is held for a four-year term under Republic Act No. 12232.

Barangay Abiang is one of 8 barangays in the municipality of Atok, in the province of Benguet, in the CAR region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Abiang had a population of 1,643 residents — the constituency that Romeo serves as Punong Barangay. Benguet is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Romeo Gaco Bayating is serving the current four-year term established under Republic Act No. 12232, which extended the barangay official's term from three years to four. The next BSKE will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, following COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.

As an elected Philippine public official, Romeo Gaco Bayating is accountable to the residents of Barangay Abiang and must comply with the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), and other national laws. Barangay officials are required to file Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and are subject to the oversight of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman.