Barangay Lapuz

Situated in Norala, South Cotabato, Barangay Lapuz is one of 14 barangays that make up the municipality within SOCCSKSARGEN.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Lapuz had a population of 3,163. This made it the 4th largest of 14 barangays in Norala by population, placing it in the upper half of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Lapuz accounted for approximately 6.78% of the total population of Norala, which stood at 46,682 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Lapuz moving from 3,141 residents to 3,163 residents, an intercensal change of +0.7%. The trajectory indicates a slowly expanding community. Barangay Lapuz is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Norala is a municipality comprising 14 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Lapuz, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of South Cotabato, which contains 225 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Lapuz ranks 119th by 2020 population. South Cotabato 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 Lapuz 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.