Lourdes A. Celin

Serving as Punong Barangay of Barangay Kinabalan in Malungon, Sarangani, Lourdes A. Celin is currently in the 2023 - 2026 term. The Punong Barangay is the most senior elected official of a Philippine barangay and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of local services.

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 Kinabalan is one of 31 barangays in the municipality of Malungon, in the province of Sarangani, in the SOCCSKSARGEN region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Kinabalan had a population of 2,096 residents — the constituency that Lourdes serves as Punong Barangay. Sarangani is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Lourdes A. Celin 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, Lourdes A. Celin is accountable to the residents of Barangay Kinabalan 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.