Barangay Sto. Tomas

Classified as a small barangay, Barangay Sto. Tomas is one of the administrative divisions of Palauig in Zambales, Central Luzon, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Sto. Tomas had a population of 1,744. This made it the 12th largest of 19 barangays in Palauig by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Sto. Tomas accounted for approximately 4.38% of the total population of Palauig, which stood at 39,784 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Sto. Tomas moving from 1,384 residents to 1,744 residents, an intercensal change of +26.0%. The trajectory indicates a growing community. Barangay Sto. Tomas is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Palauig is a municipality comprising 19 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Sto. Tomas, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Zambales, which contains 247 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Sto. Tomas ranks 132nd by 2020 population. Zambales 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 Sto. Tomas 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.