Barangay Paratong

Barangay Paratong forms part of Santa Cruz, a municipality in Ilocos Sur, and is classified as a small barangay.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Paratong had a population of 658. This made it the 28th largest of 49 barangays in Santa Cruz by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Paratong accounted for approximately 1.59% of the total population of Santa Cruz, which stood at 41,366 in the same census year.

Census comparisons between 2015 and 2020 show Barangay Paratong moving from 637 residents to 658 residents, an intercensal change of +3.3%. The trajectory indicates a growing community. Barangay Paratong is officially classified 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 Paratong, 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 Paratong ranks 461st 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 Paratong 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.