Barangay Bayugao Oeste

Barangay Bayugao Oeste is a small barangay in the municipality of Santa Cruz, located in the province of Ilocos Sur, in the Ilocos Region region of the Philippines.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Bayugao Oeste had a population of 597. This made it the 33rd largest of 49 barangays in Santa Cruz by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Bayugao Oeste accounted for approximately 1.44% of the total population of Santa Cruz, which stood at 41,366 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 599 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 597 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of -0.3%, consistent with a broadly stable settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Bayugao Oeste as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Santa Cruz is a municipality comprising 49 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Bayugao Oeste, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Ilocos Sur, which contains 768 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Bayugao Oeste ranks 512th by 2020 population. Ilocos 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 Bayugao Oeste 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.