Barangay Bato

Barangay Bato is a mid-sized barangay in the municipality of Hinigaran, located in the province of Negros Occidental, in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Bato had a population of 3,244. This made it the 14th largest of 24 barangays in Hinigaran by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Bato accounted for approximately 3.65% of the total population of Hinigaran, which stood at 88,909 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 2,839 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 3,244 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +14.3%, consistent with a growing settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Bato as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Hinigaran is a municipality comprising 24 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Bato, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Negros Occidental, which contains 662 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Bato ranks 311th by 2020 population. Negros Occidental 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 Bato 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.