Barangay Bato

Situated in Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur, Barangay Bato is one of 18 barangays that make up the municipality within Davao Region.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Bato had a population of 7,902. This made it the 6th largest of 18 barangays in Santa Cruz by population, placing it in the upper half of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Bato accounted for approximately 7.81% of the total population of Santa Cruz, which stood at 101,125 in the same census year.

Between the 2015 and 2020 censuses, the population of Barangay Bato changed from 6,965 to 7,902, a shift of +13.5% over the five-year period. This places the barangay among those with growing populations in Santa Cruz. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Bato as urban, reflecting the density and built-up character of the area.

Santa Cruz is a municipality comprising 18 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Bato, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Davao Del Sur, which contains 414 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Bato ranks 16th by 2020 population. Davao 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 Bato 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.