Barangay Buatong

Situated in San Agustin, Surigao Del Sur, Barangay Buatong is one of 13 barangays that make up the municipality within Caraga.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Buatong had a population of 1,659. This made it the 7th largest of 13 barangays in San Agustin by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Buatong accounted for approximately 7.26% of the total population of San Agustin, which stood at 22,855 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Buatong moving from 1,837 residents to 1,659 residents, an intercensal change of -9.7%. The trajectory indicates a contracting community. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Buatong as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

San Agustin is a municipality comprising 13 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Buatong, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Surigao Del Sur, which contains 309 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Buatong ranks 131st by 2020 population. Surigao Del Sur 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 Buatong 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.