City Councilor Joyleen Mercedes "Girlie" Balaba, is a Cagayan de Oro native, born and raised in Barangay Nazareth. She’s from a family of highly successful professionals. The late Atty. Jose Manuel Balaba, her father, was a prominent prosecutor in his time. While her late mother Mercedes Labis Balaba, a retired teacher. She received her elementary education at Lourdes College Grade School, then went to Immaculate Conception High School in Quezon City for her secondary studies. A graduate of two degrees, BS Psychology in Ateneo de Cagayan Xavier University, and BS Nursing in Brokenshire College of Nursing in Davao City. Additionally, She was registered nurse. As a City Councilor in the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro, she currently chaired the Committee on Social Services and Committee on Women and Family Relations. Councilor Girlie Balaba continues to advocate for the rights of women and children, as well as promoting equal economic opportunities for all. She wishes to promote the development of greater benefits and better facilities for Persons with Disability (PWDs) and Senior Citizens. She also firmly decided to support the rights of members of the LGBT community and determined to promote the law that seeks to eliminate the bigotry against them. Councilor Girlie Balaba serves as: Refuge or support for those in need, Voice for all those who are not listened to, Strength of the oppressed and pushing the desires for the people. She is serious about what she had sworn and will keep it until the end. She envisions a community and promotes EQUALITY and protection of Basic Human Rights for its members (PWDs, LGBTQ, Senior Citizens, Women, Children and the Marginalized), promotes sustainable livelihoods and development for all, and empowers that will strengthen local governance through quality and genuine public service. She loves those in the vulnerable sector such as the PWDs, LGBTs, Senior Citizens, Women and Children. As the Boss Lady of the Council, she is the "Atong Tingog, atong Kusog" in the 20th City Council of the Cagayan de Oro.

She authored and co-authored several ordinances during her terms as City councilor namely:

• Ordinance No. 14899-2024 (one of the principal authors): Ordinance professionalizing Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) service providers, granting benefits and privileges, appropriating funds thereof, and for other purposes.

• Ordinance No. 14879-2024: Ordinance Prohibiting Acts of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM)

• Ordinance No. 14610-2023: Ordinance providing for social pension to indigent adults and children with disability (PWDS), providing funds therefor and for other purposes.

• Ordinance No. 14477-2023: Ordinance Regulating the use of the Halal Logo, Encouraging the Establishment of Halal Section in Business Establishments, providing penalties for violation therefor, and for other purposes.

• Ordinance No. 14297-2022 (one of the principal authors): An Ordinance providing for the community-based mental health program and delivery system in Cagayan de Oro and for other purposes.

• Ordinance No. 14183-2021 (co-authored): Ordinance establishing the human milk bank and lactation support center in cagayan de oro city government-owned hospitals, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes

• Ordinance No. 13941-2020: Ordinance promoting diversity and equality thru affirmative action and prohibiting discrimination, ridicule, vilification, and harassment of persons in the city of Cagayan de Oro on the basis of their age, racial or ethnic origin, religious belief of activity, political inclination or conviction, social class, sex, gender identity and expression, marital or relationship status, disability, health status or medical history, Language, physical features, and other status, and providing penalties therefor, and for other purposes.