Alona Lanzaderas Gallego

Alona Lanzaderas Gallego is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Apuao in Mercedes, Camarines Norte, Philippines, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. The position — also commonly referred to as Barangay Captain — is the elected head of the barangay'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 Apuao is one of 26 barangays in the municipality of Mercedes, in the province of Camarines Norte, in the Bicol Region region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Apuao had a population of 635 residents — the constituency that Alona serves as Punong Barangay. Camarines Norte is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Alona Lanzaderas Gallego 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, Alona Lanzaderas Gallego is accountable to the residents of Barangay Apuao 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.