Barangay Palta Small

Barangay Palta Small is a small barangay in the municipality of Virac, located in the province of Catanduanes, in the Bicol Region region of the Philippines.

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Barangay Palta Small had a population of 948. This made it the 28th largest of 63 barangays in Virac by population, placing it in the middle tier of the municipality. Residents of Barangay Palta Small accounted for approximately 1.24% of the total population of Virac, which stood at 76,520 in the same census year.

The barangay recorded 844 residents in the 2015 intercensal count and 948 residents in the 2020 Census — a net change of +12.3%, consistent with a growing settlement. The Philippine Statistics Authority classifies Barangay Palta Small as rural, a designation applied to barangays with lower population density and predominantly non-built-up land use.

Virac is a municipality comprising 63 barangays, and serves as the governing unit directly responsible for local services in Barangay Palta Small, including public health, sanitation, peace and order, and civil registration. Within the wider province of Catanduanes, which contains 315 barangays across its component cities and municipalities, Barangay Palta Small ranks 93rd by 2020 population. Catanduanes is classified as a 3rd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, a category that reflects the province's annual regular income.

Like every Philippine barangay, Barangay Palta Small 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.