<div class="image-550">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-4/the-balangay-sm.webp" alt="The Balangay" />
<div>
(An artist imaginative depiction of the balangay)
</div>
</div>
<p>
The name Barangay originated from balangay, a Malay word meaning "sailboat".  It originally meant a group of boats and their passengers that came to the pre-Spanish Philippines.  Each boat is loaded with family and friends and their slaves, headed by the "Datu".  Later on Barangay came to mean a village inhabited by these settlers. 
</p>

<p>
The first Barangays started as relatively small communities of around 50 to 100 families. By the time of contact with Spaniards, many of these Barangays have developed into large communities. Some of these Barangays had large populations except for inland communities where Barangays have less number of people.
</p>


<p>
Most of the ancient Barangays were coastal or near river banks. This is because most of the people were relying on fishing for supply of food. They also traveled mostly by water up and down rivers, and along the coasts. Trails always followed river systems, which were also a major source of water for bathing, washing, and drinking.
</p>
<p>
The coastal barangays were more accessible to trade with foreigners. These were ideal places for economic activity to develop. Business with traders from other countries also meant contact with other cultures and civilizations, such as those of Japan, Han Chinese, Indian people, and Arab people. These coastal communities acquired more cosmopolitan cultures, with developed social structures, ruled by established royalties and nobilities.
</p>
<p>
During the Spanish rule, through a resettlement policy called the Reducción, smaller scattered barangays were consolidated and thus "reduced"  to form compact towns. Each Barangay was headed by the Cabeza de Barangay (barangay chief), who formed part of the Principalía - the elite ruling class of the municipalities of the Spanish Philippines. This position was inherited from the first Datus, and came to be known as such during the Spanish regime. 
</p>
<p>
When the Americans arrived, changes in the structure of local government was effected. Later, Rural Councils with 4 councilors were created to assist the Cabeza de Barangay, now renamed Barrio Lieutenant.  The Rural Council was later renamed Barrio Council.  The Barangay itself was called Barrio.
</p>
<p>
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning neighborhood. In Spain and several Latin American countries, the term is also used officially to denote a division of a municipality.  
</p>



September 21, 1974: the Barrio was renamed back to Barangay through PD No. 557