Barangay Malbago

Classified as a small barangay, Barangay Malbago is one of the administrative divisions of Bontoc in Southern Leyte, Eastern Visayas, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Malbago had a population of 708. This made it the 17th largest of 40 barangays in Bontoc by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Malbago accounted for approximately 2.38% of the total population of Bontoc, which stood at 29,799 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Malbago moving from 728 residents to 708 residents, an intercensal change of -2.7%. The trajectory indicates a contracting community. Barangay Malbago is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Bontoc is a municipality comprising 40 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Malbago, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Southern Leyte, which contains 500 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Malbago ranks 241st by 2020 population. Southern Leyte is classified as a 3rd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Malbago 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.