Thelma Cañon Valenzuela

Thelma Cañon Valenzuela holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay Carorian, a barangay in the municipality of Bato, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Thelma leads the elected Sangguniang Barangay and represents the community'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 Carorian is one of 27 barangays in the municipality of Bato, in the province of Catanduanes, in the Bicol Region region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Carorian had a population of 452 residents — the constituency that Thelma serves as Punong Barangay. Catanduanes is classified as a 3rd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Barangay officials in the Philippines are elected during the synchronised Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Thelma currently holds office under the mandate established by the October 30, 2023 BSKE. The next BSKE, at which this position will again be contested, is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

A Philippine barangay's Sangguniang Barangay is composed of one Punong Barangay, seven Sangguniang Barangay Members (kagawads), a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson representing the youth sector, a Barangay Secretary, and a Barangay Treasurer. Together, these officials administer the smallest unit of Philippine local government and deliver frontline services — from barangay clearance issuance to peace and order, from public health assistance to the barangay's share of the Internal Revenue Allotment.