Barangay Balagtas

Situated in Matag-Ob, Leyte, Barangay Balagtas is one of 21 barangays that make up the municipality within Eastern Visayas.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Balagtas had a population of 1,795. This made it the 2nd largest of 21 barangays in Matag-Ob by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Balagtas accounted for approximately 10.24% of the total population of Matag-Ob, which stood at 17,522 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 2,045 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 1,795 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of -12.2%, consistent with a contracting settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Balagtas as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Matag-Ob is a municipality comprising 21 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Balagtas, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Leyte, which contains 1,641 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Balagtas ranks 259th by 2020 population. Leyte is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

The barangay's legislative and executive affairs are handled by a Punong Barangay and the Sangguniang Barangay, elected nationwide during the Barangay and SK Elections. The next BSKE is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, following the synchronized election schedule set by COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.