Barangay Malinao

Situated in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, Barangay Malinao is one of 30 barangays that make up the municipality within Eastern Visayas.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Malinao had a population of 42. This made it the 29th largest of 30 barangays in Saint Bernard by population, placing it among the smaller barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Malinao accounted for approximately 0.15% of the total population of Saint Bernard, which stood at 28,414 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 54 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 42 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of -22.2%, consistent with a contracting settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Malinao as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Saint Bernard is a municipality comprising 30 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Malinao, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Southern Leyte, which contains 500 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Malinao ranks 499th by 2020 population. Southern Leyte is classified as a 3rd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Malinao 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.