Leonardo R. Avila III is an incumbent councilor of the first congressional district of Davao City.  He chairs the Committee on Ethics & Good Government and Committee on Environment & Natural Resources. He is also the Vice-Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture and Food, Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs. And a member on Committee on Finance, Ways & Means, Committee on Housing, Rural and Urban Development, Committee on Social Services, Committee on Tourism and Beautification and Committee on Women, Children & Family Relations.

Aside from his function as City Councilor, He was also designated by City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte as the permanent representative/chair of the Task Force Pawikan Davao, Co-Chair on Task Force Limpyo Baybay (Coastal Clean-up), and Vice-Chair on Trees for Our Children Management Council and presently the Chairperson of Davao Gulf Management Council and President of the Save the Davao Gulf Foundation, Inc.

During his stint as city councilor from 1988-up to present, Avila distinguished himself as a staunch child advocate.  He was able to pass a landmark legislation of Davao City:

• Davao City Children's Welfare Code (1st in the entire country);
• An Ordinance Creating the Establishment of Metrodiscom Child and Youth Welfare Unit (MCYWU – 1st in the country), which was used as model for the formation of Child and Youth Relation Section in every PNP Station, throughout the country, now known as the Women and Children's Desk;
• Ordinance Regulating the Sale of Rugby Solvent and Imposing Penalties for Violation thereof;
• Proponent of the Free Birth Registration as incorporated in the Local Tax Code of Davao City.

• Child Minding Center (provide alternative parental care to children of working mothers in the local government and was duplicated by the private establishment);
• Establishment of Social Development Center, funded by AUSAID (for capability building activities of LGU's implementing programs for children);
• Establishment of Paginhawaan Drop-in Center for Children (a temporary shelter for street, abandoned, neglected and abused children);
• Establishment of the Pag-asa Home for Girls (a temporary shelter for sexually abused children).

• As he was able to establish the Office for Senior Citizen's Affair in 1994;
• Proponent of the Ordinance increasing the burial assistance for the heirs of veterans;
• He created a Legal and Monitoring Team against abuse of older persons.  In coordination with pharmaceutical companies, City Health Office, and Davao Medical Center, OSCA has been conducting free clinic for older persons in various barangays;
• He passed a resolution giving free entrance fee in any movie houses in Davao City every Tuesday for the elderly;
• He initiated the institutionalization of ELDERLYMPICS, an annual sports festival which provide venue for physical and mental exercises for older person as a form of recognition for the invaluable contribution of our senior citizens in Davao City;
• He is now on the final drafting of the proposed Elderly Ordinance of Davao City.

• Act and resolved hundreds of administrative cases filed against elected Barangay Officials;
• Formulate and published the Transaction Manual (Transaction Procedure) of seven (7) major offices of Davao City such as:
• City Treasurer’s Office;
• City Civil Registrar’s Office;
• City Assessor’s Office;
• City Administrator’s Office;
• City Health Office;
• Business Bureau; and
• City Engineer’s Office.

(This manual was subsequently distributed to the Residents of Davao City)

As Member of the Committee of Social Services, he successfully passed the Ordinance Promulgating Policies and Measures for the Prevention and Control of STI, HIV/AIDS in Davao City, Strengthening the Davao City Aids Council and Providing Penalties for Violations, also known as “ Davao City AIDS Ordinance ”. As Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, he was able to pass the following measures:

• Ordinance banning aerial spraying as an agricultural practice in all agricultural activities by all agricultural entities in Davao City”;
• Anti-Smoke Belching Ordinance of Davao City .

Aside from legislations, he initiated the following activities:

• Lumbangka , an annual boat rowing and motorized banca competition as a major event for the “Ocean Month Celebration”;
• Flight of the Eagles, an annual cycling event as one of the official activities of the “Kadayawan Festival sa Dabaw”. To provide a more focused advocacy to drum up awareness and involvement for a sustainable environment – based program in the city.

Avila is also active in the implementation of the environmental laws by leading the team of government agencies in closing the operations of erring firms.

As of today, Avila is in the final stage of passing the proposed Environment Code of Davao City , Fisheries Code of Davao City , and Ordinance on Marine Protected Areas in Davao City.

Councilor Avila continued to advocates for good governance and environmental protection and conservation.  He believes that this will eventually benefit the children and elderly, who remain on top of his political agenda. He believes that the benefits of the city's programs and services should trickle down to the most vulnerable sector: the children and elderly. He likewise puts importance on ethics and good governance, believing that transparency and accountability will redound to efficient and effective services that the people rightfully deserve.

He spearheads the evaluation of the Children Code to make necessary improvements for more effective implementation. He continues to hold key positions in various non-government organizations working for the welfare of children and environment.

Before joining public service, Avila, or Happy L.A., has been known for excellence in the media industry.  He rose from the ranks to become the manager of AM and FM stations of the Manila Broadcasting Company. He topped the 1st national BMC/KBP accreditation exams for announcers in the category of commentators and analysts. His FM newscast was a consistent top-rated program. His program on adolescent sexuality won a Golden Globe award .