Barangay Loay

Barangay Loay forms part of Gutalac, a municipality in Zamboanga Del Norte, and is classified as a small barangay.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Loay had a population of 1,985. This made it the 2nd largest of 33 barangays in Gutalac by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Loay accounted for approximately 5.50% of the total population of Gutalac, which stood at 36,090 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 1,210 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 1,985 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +64.0%, consistent with a growing settlement. Barangay Loay is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Gutalac is a municipality comprising 33 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Loay, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Zamboanga Del Norte, which contains 691 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Loay ranks 143rd by 2020 population. Zamboanga Del Norte 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 Loay 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.