Barangay Saoat

Classified as a very small barangay, Barangay Saoat is one of the administrative divisions of Santa Cruz in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Region, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Philippine census, Barangay Saoat had a population of 490. This made it the 42nd largest of 49 barangays in Santa Cruz by population, placing it among the smaller barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Saoat accounted for approximately 1.18% of the total population of Santa Cruz, which stood at 41,366 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 360 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 490 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +36.1%, consistent with a growing settlement. Barangay Saoat 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 Saoat, 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 Saoat ranks 587th 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.

Barangay Saoat is governed by an elected Sangguniang Barangay composed of a Punong Barangay and seven kagawads, with the Sangguniang Kabataan representing the youth. The next BSKE, set for Monday, November 2, 2026, will elect officials to four-year terms as provided under Republic Act No. 12232.