Barangay Bitalag

Barangay Bitalag is a small barangay in the municipality of Bacnotan, located in the province of La Union, in the Ilocos Region region of the Philippines.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Bitalag had a population of 1,606. This made it the 4th largest of 47 barangays in Bacnotan by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Bitalag accounted for approximately 3.62% of the total population of Bacnotan, which stood at 44,388 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 1,596 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 1,606 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +0.6%, consistent with a slowly expanding settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Bitalag as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Bacnotan is a municipality comprising 47 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Bitalag, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of La Union, which contains 576 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Bitalag ranks 165th by 2020 population. La Union is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Bitalag is led by an elected Punong Barangay (barangay captain) supported by seven Sangguniang Barangay members (kagawads), an SK Chairperson, a Barangay Secretary, and a Barangay Treasurer. The next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, with officials serving four-year terms under Republic Act No. 12232.