Barangay Molatuhan Bajo

Situated in Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental, Barangay Molatuhan Bajo is one of 28 barangays that make up the municipality within Northern Mindanao.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Molatuhan Bajo had a population of 894. This made it the 10th largest of 28 barangays in Lopez Jaena by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Molatuhan Bajo accounted for approximately 3.50% of the total population of Lopez Jaena, which stood at 25,507 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Molatuhan Bajo moving from 832 residents to 894 residents, an intercensal change of +7.5%. The trajectory indicates a growing community. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Molatuhan Bajo as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Lopez Jaena is a municipality comprising 28 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Molatuhan Bajo, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Misamis Occidental, which contains 490 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Molatuhan Bajo ranks 241st by 2020 population. Misamis Occidental is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Molatuhan Bajo 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.