Melchor Neo Melañes

Melchor Neo Melañes holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay San Jose, a barangay in the municipality of Guinayangan, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Melchor leads the elected Sangguniang Barangay and represents the community's local government unit.

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 San Jose is one of 54 barangays in the municipality of Guinayangan, in the province of Quezon, in the CALABARZON region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay San Jose had a population of 150 residents — the constituency that Melchor serves as Punong Barangay. Quezon is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Barangay officials in the Philippines are elected during the synchronised Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Melchor 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Melchor Neo Melañes 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.