Barangay Malabago

Situated in Santa Cruz, Zambales, Barangay Malabago is one of 25 barangays that make up the municipality within Central Luzon.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Malabago had a population of 2,781. This made it the 10th largest of 25 barangays in Santa Cruz by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Malabago accounted for approximately 4.36% of the total population of Santa Cruz, which stood at 63,839 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 2,299 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 2,781 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +21.0%, consistent with a growing settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Malabago as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Santa Cruz is a municipality comprising 25 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Malabago, 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 Malabago ranks 77th 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 Malabago 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.