A new chapter in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Central Philippines was formally opened on the second and third days of the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) Reorganization and 60th Anniversary.
The event at Adventist Academy Cebu in Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu, started on Nov. 19, 2025, and will conclude on Nov. 22, 2025.
Following the dissolution of the CPUC Thursday morning, delegates elected the first set of leaders for the newly formed East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC). Similarly, delegates elected directors for the West Central Philippine Union Conference (WCPUC) on Friday.
The election proceedings, characterized by solemnity, had delegates exercise their sacred responsibility to choose the pioneering administrators and directors who will lead the church’s mission in the upcoming quinquennium (2026-2030).
This bifurcation is a strategic move to improve administrative efficiency and expand mission outreach across the geographically and culturally diverse Central Philippine islands. It received ecclesiastical approval during the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Annual Council, held from Nov. 9 to 13, 2025, at its headquarters in Silang, Cavite.
East Central Philippine Union Conference Elects Founding Leadership
The chosen nominating committee among the selected delegates elected the following individuals to serve the new East Central Philippine Union Conference as their first executive team and directors:
President: Eliezer “Joer” T. Barlizo, Jr.
Executive Secretary/Human Resources
Director: Berdandino Maniego
Treasurer: Renito Inapan
Vice-President for Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle-Nurturing, Discipling, and Reclaiming (IEL-NDR) – Fernando Narciso
Field Secretary/ Stewardship – Ildefonso Baquilabat
Legal/Planned Giving and Trust Services /Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director- Christian Abenir
Women and Children’s Ministries Director/Ministerial Spouses Association Coordinator- Melodie Mae K. Inapan
Ministerial Secretary/Chaplaincy/Family Ministries Director – Gaudencio Buque
Communication/Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries/Sabbath School/Personal Ministries – Godofredo Romanillos
Education/Adventist Possibility Ministries Director – Ana Liza Facon
Youth/Health Ministries Director- Von John Sanchez
Publishing Ministries/Literature Ministry Seminary/Spirit Of Prophecy Director- Toneri Gaa
The newly elected administrators and directors will oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs of the conference, which comprises the Central Visayan and East Visayan Conferences, as well as the Samar and Negros Oriental-Siquijor Missions.
West Central Philippine Union Conference Appointed Directors
The following are the elected inaugural directors of the West Central Philippine Union Conference, which includes the Negros Occidental and West Visayan Conferences, as well as the Northwestern Panay and Romblon Missions.
Field Secretary/Spirit Of Prophecy/Education/ – Eldyn Toledo
Children’s Ministries Director/Ministerial Spouses Association Coordinator – Raiza Guingguing
Communication/Youth Ministries Director – Joy Cantela
Health/ Sabbath School /Personal Ministries Director – Reynaldo Portugalete
Ministerial Secretary/Stewardship/Chaplaincy Director – Orley Fajilan
Family/Women/Adventist Possibility Ministries – Marilou Fajilan
Publishing Ministries – Ferdinand Esico
The election marks the culmination of the reorganization plan approved by the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) and the General Conference. By dividing the massive territory and membership of the former Central Philippine Union Conference (which recently topped over 200,000 members) into two more manageable administrative units, the church aims to improve focus and efficiency, ignite church growth, and intensify mission outreach.
The new leadership teams are expected to assume their responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2025, charting the course for the next era of Adventist mission and growth in the Central Philippines.
Lyn Lucero ⎸ CPUC Communication Department