Barangay Government in the Philippines: Captain, Kagawad, and SK Chairman

The Barangay Officials

Established under the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160).

Punong Barangay (Barangay Captain)

Chief Executive

Heads the barangay, the smallest local government unit. Enforces laws and ordinances, presides over the Sangguniang Barangay, and represents the barangay in dealings with the city or municipal government.

Sangguniang Barangay

Legislative Body

Made up of 7 elected barangay kagawad (councilors), plus the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman as an ex officio member. Passes barangay ordinances and resolutions within its limited scope of authority.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman

Youth Representative

Heads the barangay youth council, represents the youth sector on the Sangguniang Barangay, and administers youth development programs and the SK's own budget allocation.

Barangay Secretary & Treasurer

Appointed Support Officials

Appointed by the barangay captain, subject to concurrence of a majority of the Sangguniang Barangay. The secretary keeps official records; the treasurer manages barangay funds and disbursements.

Qualifications to Run for Barangay Office

• Filipino citizen
• Registered voter in the barangay where the candidate seeks to serve
• Resident in the barangay for at least 1 year immediately before the election
• Able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect
• At least 18 years old on election day for barangay captain and kagawad
• Between 18 and 24 years old for the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman and members

The 18-year minimum for barangay captain and kagawad is lower than every other elected office in the country, and the Sangguniang Kabataan's dual age floor and ceiling (18 to 24) is unique to this level of government.

Powers of the Barangay Captain

The most direct point of contact most Filipinos have with any level of government.

Enforcement of Laws

Enforces national laws and city/municipal ordinances, plus barangay-level ordinances, within the barangay's territory.

Presiding Over the Council

Presides over Sangguniang Barangay sessions and signs ordinances and resolutions the council passes.

Barangay Justice System

Serves as chairman of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the body responsible for mediating and conciliating disputes under the Katarungang Pambarangay system, before certain cases can be filed in a formal court.

Issuing Clearances

Issues barangay clearances and certifications, typically the first document required before applying for many city, municipal, or national government permits.

Barangay Justice (Katarungang Pambarangay)

For many disputes between residents of the same barangay, this is a required first step before a case can reach a formal court at all.

Punong Barangay Presided By

Lupong Tagapamayapa Body

Dispute conciliation Purpose

Many court filings Required Before

The Lupong Tagapamayapa, chaired by the barangay captain, mediates disputes between residents before certain civil and minor criminal complaints can be filed in a Municipal Trial Court or equivalent. This is meant to decongest the formal court system and resolve neighbor-level disputes faster and without cost.

Not every dispute qualifies, and not every case can be settled this way, but for a wide range of everyday conflicts, skipping barangay conciliation and filing directly in court is often grounds for the case to be dismissed or returned.

For where this fits in the wider court system, see the Philippine Court System guide.

How Barangays Are Funded

The smallest local government unit, but not without its own budget.

42,000+ Total Barangays

7 Kagawad per Barangay

3 years Term Length

18 Minimum Age

Barangays receive a share of the National Tax Allotment, distributed alongside provinces, cities, and municipalities under the Local Government Code, plus locally generated income such as community tax certificate (cedula) fees, market and terminal fees, and permits for small-scale local activity.

A portion of every barangay's budget is constitutionally earmarked for the Sangguniang Kabataan, ensuring the youth council has its own funding rather than depending entirely on the barangay captain's discretion.

Barangay Government in the Philippines