Biñan

City of Biñan Lungsod Ng Biñan
City
Biñan City Plaza
Official seal of City of Biñan Seal
Nickname:  Home of The Famous Puto Biñan
Motto:  UnLAd Biñan ("Progress Biñan")
Map of Laguna showing the location of Biñan City
Country	Philippines
Region	CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province	Laguna
District	1st District of Laguna
Founded	1571 and 1791
Barangays	24
Government
• Mayor	Marlyn 'Lenlen' Alonte-Naguiat
• Vice-Mayor	Atty. Walfredo 'Arman' Reyes Dimaguila
Area
• City	43.50 km2 (16.80 sq mi)
Population  (2008)
• City	269,608
• Density	6,200/km2 (16,000/sq mi)
• Metro	Manila
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	4024
Dialing code	49
Income Class	1st Class
Classification	Component City
Website	http://www.binan.ph

Population Census of Biñan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1995	160,206	—
2000	201,186	+5.00%
2007	262,735	+3.75%

The City of Biñan (In Filipino: Lungsod ng Biñan) is the newest component city in the Republic of the Philippines. It is located at the Province of Laguna and also accessible from Metro Manila via the South Luzon Expressway, Biñan City has become both a suburban residential community of Metro Manila and a location for some of the Philippines' largest industrial estates and export processing zones. Before it was converted into a city, Biñan was the richest municipality in the Philippines with an annual gross income of Php677 million and net income of Php250 million, as of 2007 by the Commission On Audit. According to the latest census, it has a population of 262,735 in 42,307 households.

Biñan City comes second in Laguna from Metro Manila next to San Pedro. The city is one of three comprising the first district of Laguna (San Pedro and Santa Rosa City are the others).

Built up area

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the city is now included in Manila built up area which reaches Lipa City, Batangas in its southernmost part.

The City of Biñan is located in the Province of Laguna, about 34 kilometers south of Manila. It is bounded on the north by San Pedro on the south by Santa Rosa City and on the west by Carmona, Cavite. On the eastern and northern horizon lies the Laguna de Bay.

Biñan covers a total land area of 43.50 square kilometers that represents 2.5 percent of the entire Laguna area. Biñan is the third most populated, (9.8% of the provincial population) next only to Calamba City (12.66%) and San Pedro (11.42%). It comprises 24 barangays, all classified as urban.

The New Seal of Biñan City

Current Biñan City mayor, Marlyn Alonte, envisioned the new seal of the city, as Biñan became the fourth city in the province of Laguna. The seal symbolized the following:

• The Philippine sun used in the coat-of-arms is adopted from the National Flag, the primary rays represent the provinces which declared a state of war as soon as the first revolt was initiated against Spain and which includes Laguna where the City of Biñan is geographically located.

• The Rizal Monument is used to depict the heroism of the National Hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, who had his first formal education at the City of Biñan under the tutelage of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz who after a year and a half of tutelage advised the young Rizal to continue his education in Manila.

• The large mortar and pestle signify subterranean and earth-related resources, thus emblematizing the agricultural activities of the city, the renowned “Puto Binan” and the “family” represents solidarity and the result of human industry and initiative in the areas of manufacturing and intellectual production.

• The “2010” represents the year that Republic Act 9740 was signed into law creating the City of Biñan and ratified by majority vote of its’ people during the plebiscite held on February 2, 2010.

• The torch and book signify the city’s continuous quest for knowledge and it’s commitment to providing quality free education to its’ constituents.

• The industries represent the budding industries located at the Laguna Technopark and Laguna International Industrial Park.

• The Heroes Monument symbolizes the bravery, sacrifice and valor of Biñan's ancestors.

• The pair of slippers had been adapted from the old Municipal Seal which, together with the cap represent the small businesses which originated from Biñan and entrepreneurial skills of its people.

• The two twigs of laurel leaves each with twelve leaves symbolize the 24 barangays that constitute the demographic profile of the City of Biñan.

• Their golden color signifies their individual verdant and abundant indigenous resources readily available for conversion into productive and profitable uses.

• The elements enumerated above are encircled at the outer edge by a golden circle, wherein the words “City of Biñan” are written within.

• The two golden stars flanking the words “City of Biñan” represent Service and Integrity.

City Officials

At present, Biñan City is being governed by

• Mayor: Marlyn "Lenlen" B. Alonte-Naguiat
• Vice Mayor: Walfredo 'Arman' Reyes Dimaguila
• Councilors:
  • Rene C. Manabat
  • Vicente Tan Gana Jr.
  • Marielle Micor
  • Gat Alatiit
  • Elmer Dimaranan
  • JM Carait
  • Jaime Salandanan
  • Digo Casas
• Youth Council (SK) Federation President: Jonnalyn Reyes

Barangays

The City of Biñan is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.

• Biñan
• Bungahan
• Santo Tomas (Calabuso)
• Canlalay
• Casile
• Dela Paz
• Ganado
• San Francisco (Halang)
• Langkiwa
• Loma
• Malaban
• Malamig
• Mamplasan
• Platero
• Poblacion (City Proper)
• Santo Niño (San Antonio)
• San Antonio
• San Jose
• San Vicente
• Soro-Soro
• Santo Domingo
• Santo Tomas
• Timbao
• Tubigan
• Zapote

History

Captain Juan de Salcedo discovered Biñan who founded it at the end of June 1571, a month after Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established Manila when he explored the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines and second in Asia.

Where Biñan got its name is a mystery. Some deduced that before Salcedo proceeded to Cainta and Taytay finally reaching Bay, he landed in Binan. According to the story, Padres Alfonso de Alvarado and Diego Espinar planted a huge wooden cross on the spot where the present day Don Isidro Labrador parish stands and co-celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass. Curious natives gathered and the two Spanish missionaries took advantage of the situation. They baptized each one of them. From then on, old folks say they called the place “Binyagan,” which means a baptismal place. The Spanish tongue’s difficulty in pronouncing the local dialect acquired for the once town its name— "Biñan".

When the seat of the provincial government of the Provincia dela Laguna de Bay was moved from Bay to Pagsanjan in 1688, Biñan separated from its mother town Tabuco (now Cabuyao).

The old Municipality of Biñan, located in the downtown. A new city hall is now under construction

In 1791, during the time of Pablo Faustino, Santa Rosa separated from Biñan. The following year, January 15 Sta Rosa de Lima was established and became an independent town.

Historically, Biñan is nationally recognized in the books related to the biography of José Rizal, the country's national hero. It was in June 1869 when Jose Rizal as a young boy went to Biñan with his brother Paciano. They proceeded to his aunt's house near the town proper where they were to be lodged. Here, his first formal education was entrusted to Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz who after a year and a half of tutelage advised young Rizal to continue higher education in Manila. In honor of Jose Rizal, a plaque of recognition was bestowed on the house where he stayed at. A monument now stands at the center of Biñan's town plaza in recognition of Biñan's affiliation to Rizal.

Economy

Biñan City has been popularly recognized as the trading center area immediately south of Metro Manila. Retailers from nearby towns often plow the city proper to purchase goods and merchandise intended to be sold elsewhere.

A common sight is the preparations and setting up of the wholesalers and the arrival of jeepneys and trucks carrying various items such as fruits, vegetables, dry goods, dairy products, meat, fish, etc. The market activity would be 24 hours with peak reaching the early hours (3:00-7:00am) as Filipinos are known to work in the early hours of the day trying to prevent exposure to the beating sun.

The city is also known for pancake made from rice wheat topped with cheese or butter (Puto Biñan). The best known makers of Puto in Biñan City are located in the barangay of San Vicente, that's why the city is renowned for as "The Home of the Famous Puto Biñan in Laguna".

This city is also known for the shoes and slippers manufactured in Barangay Dela Paz and Malaban. While in Barangay Platero you will find the manufacturer of hats or the so called "Sumbrero".

As of 2008, the City of Biñan headed by its Historical, Tourism and Cultural Council has formed "Biñan Business Club", a non-government organization composed of all business establishments of the said city. The Biñan Business Club works to anticipate trends and provide support to help local business enterprises and the community face them head on. The Club commits itself to the essential aspects of economic development and poverty alleviation. It knows that the Biñan community counts on the help of the organization to attract, retain and enhance business through traditional and non-traditional strategies.

Education

The University Of Perpetual Help System-Laguna, the first university in the City of Biñan

Biñan City is also considered the educational center of the first congressional district of Laguna, having the most number of secondary and tertiary schools in the area.

The first University in Biñan City is the University of Perpetual Help System Laguna located in Barangay Sto. Niño. The first International School, Brent International School Manila, is located at Barangay Mamplasan.

Schools include the prestigious and exclusive Brent International School - Biñan, Colegio San Antonio-Biñan (formerly Saint Anthony School of Biñan), La Consolacion College-Binan, Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, De La Salle-Canlubang, Saint Michael's College of Laguna, Catholic School of Pacita, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, Alpha Angelicum Academy, Santa Catalina College-Biñan, Caritas Don Bosco School, Manila Montessori School, Nereo Joaquin National High School, Panorama Montessori School, Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School Of Arts And Trades, Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial National High School, Biñan Secondary School of Applied Academics, Biñan National High School (Main and Dela Paz Annex), Saint-Sebastien Elementary school and the newest university in Biñan City, Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Biñan Campus.

Physical Features

Land Area and Location

Biñan City covers a total area of 4,350 hectares which represents 2.5 percent of the entire Laguna area. Barangay San Francisco occupies the largest area which is about 16.83 percent of Biñan while Barangay Casile has the smallest area with only 12 hectares or 0.27 percent.

The City of Binan is located in the province of Laguna in the island of Luzon about 34 km south of Manila. It is bounded on the north by San Pedro on the south by Sta. Rosa`on the west by Carmona, Cavite. On the eastern and northern horizon lies the Laguna de Bay.

Topography

The City of Biñan is generally plain with 85.33 percent of its total area having a slope of zero to 2.5 percent. This covers all the 24 barangay except for small portions of Barangay Biñan and San Francisco having a slope ranging from 2.6 to 25 percent, meaning it is gently sloping to strongly sloping. With more that three-fourths of its area generally level to nearly level, this makes Biñan suitable for agricultural and urban development.

Climate and Rainfall

The climate of Biñan City is characterized by two pronounced seasons; dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Maximum rainfall occurs from June to September with an annual average rainfall of 200 millimeters. Biñan City is protected by mountains in the peripheral areas, and thus it is making the area cooler.

Soil Properties

Of the eleven types of soil that compose the land area of Laguna, Carmona and Gingua series covers about two types that can only be seen in Biñan City. Carmona series covers about 2,577 hectares or 59.24 seen in Biñan City’s land area. Agricultural land in these areas is primarily devoted to rice and sugar production. Gingua series, on other hand, specifically the fine sandy type covers 315 hectares which is one of the most productive soils in Laguna where a variety of crops especially vegetables are grown profitably. The other two basic soil types comprising Biñan City are Guadalupe series covering 660 hectares and Lipa series with 798 hectares. All soil types are best suited to rice and, with the exception of Guadalupe series, to sugarcane.

Accessibility

The City of Binan is accessible to all types of land transportation via South Luzon Expressway through Mamplasan, Southwoods, and Carmona-Biñan-Dasmariñas Exits. From the south or from the capital town Sta. Cruz, the National Highway can be utilized.

Population

As of 2008, Biñan City has a total population of 269,608.

Barangay	Population	no. of households
Sto. Tomas	40,354	6,726
Malaban	37,555	6,259
Dela Paz	33,033	5,505
San Francisco	25,592	4,265
Canlalay	24,753	4,126
San Antonio	24,379	4,063
San Vicente	13,676	2,279
Platero	12,445	2,074
San Jose	7,624	1,271
Sto. Niño	6,613	1,102
Soro-Soro	6,482	1,080
Sto. Domingo	6,245	1,071
Tubigan	5,651	942
Poblacion	3,809	635
Mamplasan	3,593	599
Casile	3,340	557
Ganado	3,191	532
Timbao	2,462	410
Langkiwa	2,373	396
Loma	2,145	356
Malamig	1,459	243
Bungahan	1,174	196
Zapote	1,081	180
Biñan	579	97
Total	269,608	44,884

Total No. of Registered Voters as of August 19, 2008

No. of Precinct: 705 ; No. of RV 114,534; Total Registered Voters: 114,534

Land Area per Barangay

Province of Laguna: 175, 973 (ha) City of Biñan: 4,359 (ha)

Economic Features

Agriculture

Agricultural Area: Rice - 465.5 has Vegetable – 53.49 has

No. of rice farmers – 221 No. of Veg. farmers – 240

Fishing Gears

Gill Net - 25,000 Banca (authorized) - 46 Banca (unauthorized) - 30

Major Industries

Footwear, Headwear, Making of Puto and special pasalubong like pinipig, ampaw etc.

Investment Sites

The City of Biñan has two industrial parks namely, Laguna International Industrial Park and Laguna Technopark Inc. The two industrial parks have created a good image in contributing favorably in Biñan City as well as Philippine economy in terms of local employment and the generation of foreign exchange. To date, Biñan has benefited a large number of residents being employed in different companies there. To name a few, they were Honda Parts Manufacturing Corporation, Kito Corporation, Nissin Brake, Ryonan Electric, Cirtek Electronics, Sunpower, Nidec Corporation, Isuzu Philippines, Atlas Copco, Diageo, Furukawa Electric, Takata, Toshiba Philippines, Transitions Optical Phils., Inc., Hitachi Computer Products Asia, Amkor Anam Precision machine, IMI, TDK, Gardenia Bakeries (Phil.) Inc and several other multi-national companies.

Tourist Attraction

File:Splash island.jpg

Splash Island.

File:Pavilion mall.jpg

Pavilion Mall.

Splash Island, a modern water themepark, is located at Barangay San Francisco. It is accessible through the Southwoods Exit of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Tibagan Falls in Barangay Malamig became one of the location for a film shooting featuring the Hollywood Action star Chuck Norris. Pavilion Mall is located at Barangay San Antonio and Barangay Santo Niño. Rizal monument plaza is in downtown beside the San Isidro Labrador Parish Church which is also beside the old municipal hall.

Cityhood

Republic Act 9740 [1] converting the Municipality of Biñan in the province of Laguna into a component city to be known as the City of Biñan was approved by the Former President of the Republic of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on October 30, 2009. However, Republic Act 9740, unlike other cityhood laws, said that the conversion of the city would not result in the creation of a new congressional district. A plebiscite to ratify Republic Act 9740 was held on February 2, 2010. The residents mostly agreed to the cityhood, then on the 65th. Liberation Day of Biñan held on February 5, 2010, the town was officially introduced and proclaimed the new incorporated City of Biñan, making it the 4th city of the province of Laguna and 122nd in the Philippines.

Sister cities

• Makati City, Philippines
• Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada(Proposed)
• Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan(Proposed)

References

• Official Website of Biñan Laguna
• Official website of Sta. Catalina College - Biñan, Laguna

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Official Website of Sta. Catalina College - Biñan, Laguna
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)