Joel Z. Baylon

Joel Zamudio Baylon (born January 29, 1954) is a Filipino prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has been Bishop of Legazpi since 2009. Before this, he was Bishop of Masbate from 1998 to 2009.

Early life and education Baylon was born on January 29, 1954, in Milaor, Camarines Sur, which was then part of the Prelature of Libmanan.

He completed his elementary education at St. Peter's Academy in Polangui, Albay, from 1959 to 1965. For secondary education, he attended St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Tabaco, Albay, graduating in 1970. His college years were spent at Vianney Hall, a formation residence in the cathedral rectory of Legazpi City, from 1970 to 1975. He continued his studies at Divine Word College in Legazpi City before entering theological formation at the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol in Tagaytay City. From 1975 to 1979 he studied at Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay.

Within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, he was the chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth from 2007 to 2013. As chairman he has actively promoted the humane treatment of people deprived of liberty (PDLs) and urged the church to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Advocacy Baylon has been a vocal advocate for environmental protection, particularly against illegal quarrying operations in the Bicol region.

During the 2018 eruption of Mayon Volcano, Baylon urged the faithful to remain calm, adhere to evacuation orders, and support those affected. He highlighted the diocese's readiness to assist evacuees through initiatives like HARONG, which had previously provided aid during similar events.

In November 2020, following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Rolly, he called for an investigation into quarrying and mining operations on Mayon's slopes, suggesting that these activities may have exacerbated the lahar flows that buried numerous homes. Following severe flooding in November 2024, he urged the government to take action against unsustainable quarrying activities that contributed to the disaster.

Baylon has spoken against efforts to reinstate the death penalty in the Philippines. He has emphasized the importance of restorative justice and called on the Catholic faithful, especially youths, to influence public opinion on the issue.