Romeo Pastor Abalo

As Punong Barangay of Barangay Santa Cruz, Romeo Pastor Abalo presides over the Sangguniang Barangay of the barangay in Quezon, Bukidnon, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. The Punong Barangay is a nationally recognised local government position under the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160).

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 Santa Cruz is one of 31 barangays in the municipality of Quezon, in the province of Bukidnon, in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Santa Cruz had a population of 2,221 residents — the constituency that Romeo serves as Punong Barangay. Bukidnon is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Romeo Pastor Abalo 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Romeo Pastor Abalo 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.