Barangay III (Pob.)

Barangay III (Pob.) is a very small barangay in the municipality of Santa Cruz, located in the province of Laguna, in the CALABARZON region of the Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay III (Pob.) had a population of 434. This made it the 25th largest of 26 barangays in Santa Cruz by population, placing it among the smaller barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay III (Pob.) accounted for approximately 0.35% of the total population of Santa Cruz, which stood at 123,574 in the same census year.

Between the 2015 and 2020 censuses, the population of Barangay III (Pob.) changed from 578 to 434, a shift of -24.9% over the five-year period. This places the barangay among those with contracting populations in Santa Cruz. Barangay III (Pob.) is officially classified as urban, reflecting the density and built-up character of the area.

Santa Cruz is a municipality comprising 26 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay III (Pob.), including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Laguna, which contains 681 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay III (Pob.) ranks 590th by 2020 population. Laguna 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 III (Pob.) 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.