Stephanie Balas Abuan

Stephanie Balas Abuan is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Ambaracao Norte in Naguilian, La Union, 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 Ambaracao Norte is one of 37 barangays in the municipality of Naguilian, in the province of La Union, in the Ilocos Region region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Ambaracao Norte had a population of 1,835 residents — the constituency that Stephanie serves as Punong Barangay. La Union is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Stephanie Balas Abuan 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Stephanie Balas Abuan 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.