Ricky Encina Eclarino

Ricky Encina Eclarino is the Punong Barangay currently leading Barangay Lauis, part of the municipality of Candelaria in Zambales, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. Under Philippine law, the Punong Barangay is directly elected by the residents of the barangay.

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 Lauis is one of 16 barangays in the municipality of Candelaria, in the province of Zambales, in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Lauis had a population of 2,133 residents — the constituency that Ricky serves as Punong Barangay. Zambales is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Ricky Encina Eclarino was elected to office in the most recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), which took place on October 30, 2023. Under Republic Act No. 12232, barangay officials elected in 2023 serve four-year terms, meaning the current mandate runs until 2026. The next BSKE is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, per COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Ricky Encina Eclarino leads — is the legislative body of a Philippine barangay. It passes barangay ordinances and resolutions, approves the annual barangay budget, and exercises oversight over the barangay's programmes and projects. Its composition includes the Punong Barangay, seven kagawads, the SK Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, all accountable directly to residents.