Barangay Bato

Barangay Bato is a small barangay in the municipality of Panay, located in the province of Capiz, in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Bato had a population of 1,983. This made it the 4th largest of 42 barangays in Panay by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Bato accounted for approximately 4.06% of the total population of Panay, which stood at 48,890 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Bato moving from 2,026 residents to 1,983 residents, an intercensal change of -2.1%. 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.

Panay is a municipality comprising 42 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 Capiz, which contains 473 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Bato ranks 119th by 2020 population. Capiz 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 Bato 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.