Barangay Belen

Classified as a small barangay, Barangay Belen is one of the administrative divisions of Banate in Iloilo, Western Visayas, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Belen had a population of 1,101. This made it the 14th largest of 18 barangays in Banate by population, placing it among the smaller barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Belen accounted for approximately 3.30% of the total population of Banate, which stood at 33,376 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 1,044 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 1,101 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +5.5%, consistent with a growing settlement. Barangay Belen is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Banate is a municipality comprising 18 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Belen, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Iloilo, which contains 1,901 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Belen ranks 686th by 2020 population. Iloilo 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 Belen 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.