Gary Tan Villegas

Gary Tan Villegas is the Punong Barangay currently leading Barangay Hibaiyo, part of the City of Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. Under Philippine law, the Punong Barangay is directly elected by the residents of the barangay.

The Punong Barangay is the chief executive of the barangay, the smallest and most local unit of government in the Philippines. Duties under Section 389 of RA 7160 include enforcing barangay ordinances, organising and leading an emergency response team, calling and presiding over sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay, maintaining public order through the Lupong Tagapamayapa (peace council), and supervising the delivery of basic services to residents.

Barangay Hibaiyo is one of 33 barangays in the City of Guihulngan, in the province of Negros Oriental, in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Hibaiyo had a population of 5,602 residents — the constituency that Gary serves as Punong Barangay. Negros Oriental is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Gary Tan Villegas 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.

As an elected Philippine public official, Gary Tan Villegas is accountable to the residents of Barangay Hibaiyo 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.