Barangay Poblacion I

Barangay Poblacion I forms part of Pigkawayan, a municipality in Cotabato, and is classified as a mid-sized barangay.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Poblacion I had a population of 2,983. This made it the 6th largest of 40 barangays in Pigkawayan by population, placing it in the upper half of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Poblacion I accounted for approximately 4.12% of the total population of Pigkawayan, which stood at 72,371 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 2,184 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 2,983 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +36.6%, consistent with a growing settlement. Barangay Poblacion I is officially classified as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Pigkawayan is a municipality comprising 40 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Poblacion I, 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 Poblacion I ranks 137th 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.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Poblacion I 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.