Barangay Bato

Classified as a small barangay, Barangay Bato is one of the administrative divisions of Matalam in Cotabato, SOCCSKSARGEN, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Bato had a population of 942. This made it the 34th largest of 34 barangays in Matalam by population, placing it among the smaller barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Bato accounted for approximately 1.16% of the total population of Matalam, which stood at 81,355 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Bato moving from 1,183 residents to 942 residents, an intercensal change of -20.4%. The trajectory indicates a contracting community. Barangay Bato is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Matalam is a municipality comprising 34 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 Cotabato, which contains 543 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Bato ranks 438th by 2020 population. Cotabato is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Barangay Bato is governed by an elected Sangguniang Barangay composed of a Punong Barangay and seven kagawads, with the Sangguniang Kabataan representing the youth. The next BSKE, set for Monday, November 2, 2026, will elect officials to four-year terms as provided under Republic Act No. 12232.