Vice Mayor Jose Neil P. Olivares

Jose Neil P. Olivares, a distinguished public servant and community leader, was born on December 28, 1969, in Barangay Tuburan, Oton, Iloilo. He is the proud son of Angeles Estopacia Portugalete and Domingo Salinas Olivares.

His academic journey began at Caboloan Elementary School, where his diligence earned him the title of Salutatorian in 1983. He continued to excel at Oton National High School, again achieving Salutatorian in 1987. His tertiary education was at the University of San Agustin, where he majored in Political Science and graduated with a Leadership Award in 1991. During his time there, he served as Corps Commander and Advance Graduate of the Class of 1991 for the USA CMT Unit, Department of Army Science and Tactics.

Olivares furthered his education by pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of San Agustin School of Law, graduating in 1997.

His dedication to public service began early in his career when he served as a Sangguniang Bayan Member for the Municipality of Oton from 1992 to 2001 for three consecutive terms. He then took on the role of Information Officer III from 2002 to 2004, also serving as Tourism Officer and PESO Manager concurrently. His constituents re-elected him as Sangguniang Bayan Member from 2004 to 2007.

In 2007, he was elected Vice Mayor of Oton, a position he held for three consecutive terms until 2016. During his tenure, he led the Sangguniang Bayan ng Oton to national recognition twice in the National Local Legislative Award (2010 and 2016). In 2022, he was re-elected as Vice Mayor, continuing his impactful work and was also recognized as the only Vice Mayor in Region 6 who graduated from the DILG’s Trainors’ Training.

In addition to his government service, Olivares has been the Founding Operations Manager at Quiklab Diagnostics, Incorporated since 2016.

His achievements in government service are numerous. He holds the record for authoring and sponsoring the most approved legislation in Sangguniang Bayan ng Oton’s history. He co-founded the annual Katagman Festival and Foundation Day celebration and authored significant ordinances that have shaped Oton’s cultural and regulatory landscape.

Olivares’ commitment to preserving Oton’s history is evident through his initiatives like founding The Ogtonganon Journal and leading efforts to install a historical marker at the Municipal Hall by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

His leadership has earned Sangguniang Bayan ng Oton numerous accolades, including being named the No. 1 Sanggunian in the region from 2008 to 2012 and entering the Hall of Fame for local legislation in DILG Regional Office VI’s annual Excel Award from 2013 to 2016.

Olivares has also received several personal awards recognizing his contributions to public service and leadership.

His guiding principles reflect his commitment to integrity and perseverance: “Men who succeed best in public life are those who take the risk of standing by their convictions” and “Success is not won by miles; it is won by inches. Win an inch now and win another later.”

In Olivares’ own words on achieving success: “Rest not on our laurels.”

OFFICE OF THE VICE MAYOR

The Municipal Vice Mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions:

I. Be the presiding officer of the sangguniang bayan and sign all warrants drawn on the municipal treasury for all expenditures appropriated for the operation of the sangguniang bayan;
Subject to civil service law, rules and regulations, appoint all officials and employees of the sangguniang bayan, except those whose manner of appointment is specifically provided in this Code;
III. Assume the office of the municipal mayor for the unexpired term of the latter in the event of permanent vacancy as provided for in Section 44, Book I of this Code;
IV. Exercise the powers and perform the duties and functions of the municipal mayor in cases of temporary vacancy as provided for in Section 46, Book I of this Code; and
V. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

• The vice-mayor shall receive a monthly compensation corresponding to Salary Grade twenty five (25) as prescribed under R.A. No. 6758 and the implementing guidelines issued pursuant thereto.