Barangay Maligaya

Classified as a mid-sized barangay, Barangay Maligaya is one of the administrative divisions of Santa Rita in Samar, Eastern Visayas, Philippines.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Maligaya had a population of 2,906. This made it the 1st largest of 38 barangays in Santa Rita by population, placing it among the most populous barangays of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Maligaya accounted for approximately 6.86% of the total population of Santa Rita, which stood at 42,384 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 2,012 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 2,906 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +44.4%, consistent with a growing settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Maligaya as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Santa Rita is a municipality comprising 38 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Maligaya, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Samar, which contains 951 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Maligaya ranks 34th by 2020 population. Samar is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Barangay Maligaya 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.