About
Biñan
Type
City (Component)
Island Group
Luzon
Region
CALABARZON (Region IV‑A)
Province
Laguna
Congressional Legislative District
Lone District of Biñan
Barangay
24
Postal Code
4024
Coastal/Landlocked
Landlocked
Marine/Waterbodies
Laguna de Bay, Biñan River and Tibagan Stream (Falls)
Area (2013)
40.27 km2 (15.55 sq mi)
Population (2020)
407,437
Density (2020)
10,118 / km2 (26,202 / sq mi)
Coordinates
14° 20′ N, 121° 5′ E
Elevation
11.8 meters (38.7 feet)
Biñan’s
Beginnings
Biñan is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines, almost as old as Manila, perhaps even older if its existence as a settlement before the Spaniards arrived is considered. But even going only as far back as recorded history, Biñan would still be at least three centuries old. This would mean a very rich historical past, and a great wealth of old practices, traditions, music, art and literary forms, and old stories that must have accumulated and been waiting to be uncovered and brought back to life. To understand Biñan and discover its real treasures, one needs to look back and trace its beginnings.
Rizal in
Biñan
One of the many things that Biñan could be proud of is the fact that it became a part of the national hero’s formative years. Young Jose Rizal, accompanied by his brother, Paciano, came to Biñan in June 1869 to study under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz. Maestro Cruz taught him Latin and Spanish. Rizal excelled in his academic studies. He was at the top of his class, beating all the Biñan boys. While in Biñan, Rizal also took painting lessons under Juancho Carrera, Maestro Cruz’s father-in-law. After one and a half years of tutelage, Maestro Cruz advised the young Rizal to continue his education in Manila.
Aside from his education-related affiliation to the town, Rizal was a Biñanense because both his parents were Biñanenses. Rizal’s father, Francisco Engracio Mercado, was born and raised in Biñan. Both Francisco’s father (Juan Mercado) and grandfather (Francisco Mercado) became capitan of Biñan. And Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonso, was the daughter of Lorenzo Alonso de Alberto who also became a capitan of the town. Teodora’s grandfather, Cipriano Alonso, had also been a capitan of Biñan twice.
Map and Barangays of
Biñan
Biñan
“Home of the Sacadas”
Land Area: 537 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, mixed use, industrial
Population: 4,149
Fiesta: Feast of Saint John Bosco – January 31
A generally plain area, Barangay Biñan is one of the more developed barangays of the city comprising four villages, three established schools, a commercial center (Avida Shop Houses), and factories/companies in the Laguna Technopark. The place used to be a sugar plantation owned by the Yulos and Locsins, and was home to sacadas (sugarcane workers). Now a big part of it is the site of 30% of the Laguna Technopark. The rest of the barangay is occupied by residential units, service roads, free spaces, learning institutions, and commercial areas.
Bungahan
“Sampaguitahan Barangay”
Land Area: 91 hectares
Land Use: Residential, industrial, agricultural, institutional
Population: 1,707
Fiesta: Feast of San Isidro Labrador – May 15
Barangay Bungahan used to be a rice field, with farmers’ houses built along the river with many fruit-bearing trees; hence the name of the barangay. Barangay Bungahan has now become an industrial and residential space with the expansion of the industrial estates of the Laguna Technopark followed by the entry of migrant workers, mostly transients from neighboring cities and municipalities of Laguna. The barangay is still known for the making of the sampaguita flower garlands.
Canlalay
“Home of the Famous Biñan Pinipig”
Land Area: 263 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, industrial, institutional
Population: 19,399
Fiestas: Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary – October 7; Pinipig Festival – October 1-7
Barangay Canlalay is home to the famous Biñan pinipig (flattened glutinous rice), and is known for the distinct pinipig scent. Truck building and kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) making are also a source of livelihood in the barangay. This barangay is also the location of Biñan’s first public hospital, the Ospital ng Biñan, and the city’s first public dialysis center. In the early times, Barangay Canlalay was called Daungang Kalakal because of its proximity to San Pedro, Manila and Calamba, which made it a convenient delivery point for merchandise coming from these places.
Casile
”Home of the Famous Biñan Bakya”
Land Area: 12 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, institutional
Population: 4,148
Fiesta: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – February 11
Although it is considered the smallest barangay in Biñan with only 12 hectares (only 0.27% of the city), Barangay Casile prided itself in its rich agricultural resources before the dawn of industrialization. The main source of livelihood today is the production of footwear such as bakya (wooden clogs) for men and women, and has become known for the stepin (slippers) making and shoemaking industries in Biñan. During the Korean War in the 1950s, citizens from Barangay Casile joined the Philippine troops that helped South Korea fight against the Chinese Communist forces.
Dela Paz
”Where Biñan’s Shoemaking and Kalesa Making Industries Originated”
Land Area: 216 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, mixed use
Population: 31,374
Fiesta: Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje – January 24
Barangay Dela Paz is known for shoemaking, kalesa making, and fishing. The shoe and tsinelas (slippers) making industry, which used to be a dominant home-based livelihood, has disappeared over the years, and the town is now mainly residential, but is being developed for its commercial potential. This barangay is the home of Biñan’s honorary queen, the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, of which Jose Rizal was a devotee. As a student in Biñan, he often visited and attended Holy Mass at the Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje Parish Church. Barangay Dela Paz is also known for its beautiful view of the Laguna de Bay where Biñanenses go for swimming.
Ganado
“The Bayanihan Barangay”
Land Area: 124 hectares
Land Use: Residential, industrial, commercial
Population: 5,252
Fiesta: Feast of Santo Niño/Bayanihan Fiesta – 3rd Sunday of January
The host of the Laguna International Industrial Park (LIIP), Barangay Ganado is mostly industrial. It is said that bayanihan (communal unity) used to be a common practice in the community, and the people were all very eager or ganado to lend a hand whenever there was work to be done; hence the name of the barangay, Ganado. Today many of the residents are working in the factories at the LIIP, with some of them transients residing in low-income housing subdivisions.
Langkiwa
“The Residential Barangay”
Land Area: 185 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural
Population: 37,817
Fiestas: Feast of Saints Monica and Augustine – August 27-28; MaNagKiwa Festival – April 16-17
Barangay Langkiwa is one of the more recently created barangays of Biñan. Rainforest Estate Homes, Verdana Homes, and San Antonio Village occupy the biggest part of the barangay’s land area. The primary land use of the barangay is residential. The National Housing Authority’s resettlement project, the Southville Project, is located here. This is also the site of the Holiday Hills Stock and Breeding Farm, which is engaged in the piggery industry.
Loma
“A Booming Industrial Barangay”
Land Area: 115 hectares
Land Use: Industrial, residential, mixed use
Population: 12,005
Fiesta: Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8
Barangay Loma used to be a pastureland and a sugarcane plantation, but is now a commercial/industrial barangay, with much of the area used for light industries. It houses 70% of the Laguna Technopark. Since 2000, the economy has been growing through: the construction of subdivisions, such as Celina Homes Technopark, Celina Mansion Subdivision, and Verdana Homes; the development of private and public schools; and establishment of the Barangay Health Center and the Barangay Hall Extension. The “maglalatik”, a native war dance, is said to have originated from Barangays Loma and Zapote.
Malaban
”Home of the Courageous Biñanenses”
Land Area: 121 hectares
Land Use: Residential, agricultural
Population: 26,513
Fiesta: Feast of San Pedro Apostol – August 1
Barangay Malaban played a vital role in Biñan’s history when its residents resisted subjugation by the Spanish soldiers when the Spaniards first came to Biñan, thus earning their name Manlalaban (fighters), later Malaban. Being a waterfront barangay, Malaban is being developed for a lakeshore tourism and recreational area with parks and open spaces. The people’s main sources of livelihood in the barangay are fishing and footwear production.
Malamig
“Biñan’s Last Nature Frontier”
Land Area: 398 hectares
Land Use: Industrial, residential
Population: 4,064
Fiesta: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes – February 11
In the old days, Barangay Malamig used to be a sugarcane plantation owned by the Yulos and Locsins. The Locsins established housing for the sugarcane sacadas and their families, who made up most of the residents of the barangay at that time. The barangay earned its name for being the coolest barangay in Biñan, being the site of the Tibagan Falls. It is said to be also Biñan’s last nature frontier, with natural sites and resources, aside from the falls, still found in the area. Its small residential area is mainly occupied by transient workers from the nearby Laguna Technopark and industrial areas.
Mamplasan
“Where Major Roads Connect”
Land Area: 268 hectares
Land Use: Industrial, residential, commercial, institutional, mixed use
Population: 6,911
Fiesta: Feast of San Gabriel Arcangel – September 29
One of the oldest barangays in Biñan, Mamplasan used to be a forested area abundant with palasan, a species of tall grass. The main source of livelihood used to be agriculture, but now, most of the land is industrial, with some areas that are residential, commercial, and institutional. A huge area of the barangay is occupied by the companies of the Laguna International Industrial Park.The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Cavite Laguna Express (CALAX) roads cross the barangay in the western section.
Platero
“Home of the Sombrero Industry”
Land Area: 185 hectares
Land Use: Industrial, residential, commercial, agricultural, institutional
Population: 10,420
Fiestas: Feast of San Roque – August 16; Sombrero Festival – March 17
This barangay is known for its home-based cap making business, which is the main source of income and livelihood of the barangay’s residents, along with metalworks and jeepney production, shoemaking and upholstery making. During the time of the Spaniards, this barangay was known to be a large cemetery. People then referred to this place as “Puntod”. It is said that it had been the burial destination for Biñan, Sta. Rosa, and Cabuyao. However, in 1955, a school was built right beside it by Jacobo Gonzales, a resident of Barangay Poblacion. The school principal, Mrs. Elena Benjamin, called for the change in the barangay’s name. So from Puntod, it became Platero, a term popularized during the American period by the barangay’s visitors who, as the story goes, every time they came to the area, would stop by an acacia tree, in front of a house built by a platero (metal worker).
Poblacion
“Biñan’s Melting Pot”
Land Area: 28 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, mixed use, heritage site
Population: 2,965
Fiestas: Feast of San Isidro Labrador – May 15; Feast of Santa Maria de la Cabeza – September 9
Barangay Poblacion used to be the seat of government of Biñan from the Spanish times until just a few years ago when the City Hall was constructed in Barangay Zapote. Thus, it is in Poblacion where one finds the major structures of Biñan, such as the old municipal hall, which is now the Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan and City Museum, and the city’s Heritage District with its heritage houses. Barangay Poblacion is also the site of the pilgrim church San Isidro Labrador Catholic Church, the town plaza, and the main public market, which is the largest public market in the CALABARZON Region, and where farmers, fishermen, producers and traders from all over the province sell and buy their merchandise 24/7. Being the heart of the town for a long time and the center of economic activity, Poblacion is also the place where people from different places often come to trade and set up their businesses.
San Antonio
”Food Strip Barangay of Biñan”
Land Area: 178 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, mixed use
Population: 35,811
Fiesta: Feast of San Antonio de Padua – June 13
It is said that Jose Rizal was often in Barangay San Antonio to visit his friends, Eleuterio Bayabo and Jose Guevarra. Today, Barangay San Antonio is predominantly a residential barangay with some spaces for commercial developments and a proliferation of restaurants and eateries. This is where Biñanenses can enjoy different kinds of street food. A number of old houses still stand in Barangay San Antonio, owned by the families of Almazan, Faraon, Bayabo, Manabat, Manzo, Firme, Almeda, Sawal, Almazora, and others.
Santo Domingo
“Sorbetes Capital of Biñan”
Land Area: 24 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, industrial
Population: 6,104
Fiestas: Feast of Santo Domingo de Guzman – August 8; Sorbetes Festival – August 1-8
The main industries in Barangay Sto. Domingo are ice cream making, candle making, and bakya making. It is mostly residential, with some spaces for commercial and industrial development. The barangay is the site of the Biñan Elementary School (popularly called Doña Aurora), built during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon on a piece of land donated by the Garcia, Yatco, Almeda, and Nuqui families. This school is historical because during the Japanese occupation, it was occupied by the Japanese army. It is said that many Filipino and Japanese soldiers died in this place.
San Francisco (Halang)
“Biñan’s Gateway to the National Road”
Land Area: 732 hectares
Land Use: Residential, mixed use, commercial
Population: 28,669
Fiesta: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi – October 4
Barangay San Francisco, formerly known as Halang because of its perpendicular position in relation to the national road in Canlalay, is the largest of the barangays, occupying about 16.83% of Biñan’s total land area. There are many subdivisions in the barangay, numbering over 20. The barangay also has several schools, two of them college levels, and a number of resorts, sports facilities, malls and supermarkets.
San Jose
“Shoemaking Barangay of Biñan”
Land Area: 15 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, mixed use
Population: 5,977
Fiesta: Feast of Saint Joseph – May 1/May 15
Both a residential and commercial area, this barangay is known for its shoe and bakya making industry. It capitalizes on its being the center of bakya making, which opens up opportunities for jobs and investments considering its close proximity to the city’s busiest barangays, Poblacion and San Vicente. Still, the biggest portion of the land is occupied by the residential subdivisions. There are also a couple of resorts situated in the barangay.
Santo Niño (San Anton)
“Shoemaking Barangay of Biñan”
Land Area: 88 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, institutional, mixed use
Population: 5,557
Fiesta: Feast of Santo Niño – 3rd Sunday of January
Barangay Sto. Niño used to be an agricultural area where almost all of the landowners were from Barangay San Antonio. The settlers are mostly tenants who came from different places, such as Muntinlupa and Silang in the nearby provinces, and other barangays of Biñan. The Philippine National Railways tracks cut through the barangay. The University of Perpetual Help System now occupies a large portion of the barangay. It was the owners of the then Perpetual Help College, which was established in the barangay in 1970, who moved to have the barangay’s name changed to Santo Niño, from its original name San Anton.
Santo Tomas (Calabozo)
“A Barangay Rich in History”
Land Area: 335 hectares
Land Use: Residential, mixed use, commercial, industrial, agricultural
Population: 43,078
Fiesta: Feast of Santo Tomas de Aquino – January 28/March 7
The site of the former prison of Biñan, Barangay Santo Tomas used to be referred to as “Calabozo” meaning kulungan or prison. Because of the rich agricultural resources of the area, the Spaniards forced the prisoners to work in the lands and anyone who disobeyed was killed. In 1982, Kapitan Eduardo Dimaranan proposed to change the name of the barangay to “Santo Tomas”, after its patron saint. Today, Barangay Santo Tomas is mainly residential but is fast becoming commercialized, especially with the South Luzon Expressway cutting through it.
San Vicente
“Home of the Famous Puto Biñan”
Land Area: 36 hectares
Land Use: Residential, parks, commercial, mixed use
Population: 8,530
Fiestas: Feast of San Vicente Ferrer – April 5; Puto at Kakanin Festival – April 1-5
Barangay San Vicente is popularly known as the “Home of Puto Biñan”, a home-based industry that has been passed on from generation to generation, and which Biñan is famous for. Puto Biñan is a kind of rice cake and is the city’s main delicacy. No one leaves the City of Biñan without tasting this local kakanin (native snacks). Puto Biñan became popular when the natives sold the native delicacy to the Philippine National Railway (PNR) passengers. Since the old station was located in Biñan, when the vendors approached to sell their puto, the passengers would say “Ayan na ang puto Biñan (here comes the puto of Biñan). Since then, the delicacy became known as the Puto Biñan. The barangay is now also expanding into the production of another kind of puto, the puto pao. This barangay used to be a rice field owned mostly by the Samaniegos and Reyeses.
Soro-soro
“Home of the Padyak”
Land Area: 114 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use
Population: 6,320
Fiesta: Feast of La Madre Divina Pastora – May 4
Barangay Soro-soro is the barangay known for the padyak (pedicab) industry. This is also the location of one of the few Spanish era dams. Barangay Soro-soro is the site of one of Biñan’s main tourist spots, the Splash Island Resort, a well-known water-themed park. The barangay area is mostly dominated by residential developments with small commercial establishments. There are a number of subdivisions in the barangay, including the PLDT Village, Filinvest, Justina Subdivision, and Vista Rosa. The barangay got its name from the medicinal plant sorosoro, which used to grow abundantly in the area.
Timbao
“Site of the Spanish Era Dam”
Land Area: 143 hectares
Land Use: Residential, industrial, agricultural, mixed use
Population: 13,490
Fiesta: Feast of San Roque – August 16
This barangay is the site of a dam that was constructed during the Spanish era and which, up to now, is still supplying irrigation water to the farmlands. Dominated by residential land use with a little share of industrial and agricultural uses, Barangay Timbao benefits from the operation of the Laguna Technopark. The National Housing Authority (NHA) also has a resettlement area for informal settlers located in this barangay.
Tubigan
“Home of Biñan’s Irrigation System”
Land Area: 81 hectares
Land Use: Residential, commercial, industrial, mixed use
Population: 6,741
Fiesta: Feast of San Rafael Arcangel – September 29
A relatively small outlying barangay on the westernpart of the city, Barangay Tubigan is the former home of Rizal’s paternal ancestor, Domingo Lamco, who then managed the irrigation system and called it Patubigan System; hence, the name of the barangay. What used to be a rustic, agricultural barangay is now the site of Filinvest South Subdivision, Forest Lake Manila South (the biggest memorial park in Biñan City), the DRT Cockpit Arena, and the Sunshine Square Commercial Complex, among others. The very first chapel of Iglesia ni Cristo in Biñan was built in this barangay in 1928.
Zapote
“Seat of the City Government”
Land Area: 100 hectares
Land Use: Residential, institutional, industrial, commercial
Population: 6,027
Fiesta: Feast of El Salvador del Mundo – last Sunday of February
Along with Barangay Loma, Barangay Zapote is said to be the place where the “maglalatik”, a martial artsinspired dance featured in the Puto Latik Festival, originated. This part of Biñan is rich in organic soil, so during the pre-industrial years, the main source of livelihood of the people was agriculture. At present, Barangay Zapote is home to Biñan’s largest subdivisions and villages such as Jubilation, Villagio Di Xavier, Evergreen Country, Summerbreeze Country, and Althea Residences. Zapote is also the site of the City Hall of Biñan, the Alonte Sports Arena, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Biñan.
Produced by:
Biñan
Today
Dynamic, Historic City of Life
Biñan – a lively, fast-developing, flourishing city. A city pulsating with life, vibrant with energy to advance the economy and afford the best life to its people. The signs of progress are everywhere: busy commercial centers, large malls and business establishments, big public markets, technology and industrial parks, export processing zones, manufacturing plants, condominium towers, and high-level educational institutions. Biñan is the busiest commercial hub in the Province of Laguna and is recognized as the commerce and trade capital south of Metro Manila.
Biñan, the richest municipality in the Philippines before its cityhood, became the City of Biñan, an independent component city of the Province of Laguna, in 2010 by virtue of Republic Act 9740. In 2015, it became the Lone Congressional District of Biñan, the first lone district in Laguna. The city has 24 barangays (smallest local government unit).
In spite of the level of progress it has achieved, Biñan has not forgotten its historical past. Side by side with the visible marks of progress are images of age-old structures and long-held traditions that have survived to this day and that people continue to treasure and keep alive.
Indeed, the people of Biñan – the Biñanenses, and the local government and its leaders, know how to value the city’s humble beginnings, the historical events that have led to its present state, and all the cultural norms, beliefs and traditions that have accumulated through the centuries and shaped the character of the city and the life of the people in Biñan at present.
Mayor Atty. Walfredo “Arman” R. Dimaguila Jr. believes that if given the trust and the opportunity, and instilled with a sense of discipline and responsibility, the Biñanenses will take care of their city and bring the city’s vision to reality. He believes in the people of Biñan: “Sa Lungsod ng Biñan, mamamayan ay maaasahan.” The government only works for the people and helps provide what the people need, but it is the people who will truly nurture and develop Biñan. “No one will love and care for Biñan more than the Biñanenses themselves.”
The City Government of
Biñan
Sa Lungsod ng Biñan, Mamamayan Ay Maaasahan
Vision
A modern and developed City where its responsible people are proud of their cultural, historical and artistic heritage; enjoy peace and security, economic stability, social justice, preserved environment, accessible quality education, responsive social services, well-planned infrastructure facilities all anchored on good governance thus making the City of Biñan the Premier Heritage and Trade Capital of the South, the best place to live, work and visit.
Mission
The leadership of the City of Biñan is committed to exercise its mandate to:
- Promote social order and ensure public safety;
- Enhance economic prosperity through job generation, manpower and skills development, encourage and support local industries and their expansion;
- Guarantee social justice by way of ensuring basic services and equal opportunities;
- Deliver accessible and quality health care services;
- Protect and maximize the utilization of environment and natural resources towards the attainment of a disaster-resilient community;
- Ensure access to free and quality education to prepare our youth to be globally competitive;
- Support gender sensitivity, responsiveness and equality;
- Provide modern and needed infrastructure facilities;
- Preserve, conserve and nurture its cultural, historical and artistic heritage towards sustainable tourism; and
- Increase collection efficiency through reasonable taxes, fees and charges, and ensure sound fiscal management.
Progress is good and meaningful if it redounds to the quality of life and living conditions of the people. In Biñan, the city government sees to it that this is what happens – that people get the services and support they need from the government to become healthy, able and productive citizens, and that the city’s economic growth translates into opportunities for people to advance in life and achieve their aspirations.
The City Government of Biñan has various frontline service departments and offices looking after the major development concerns of the city and its people, such as health, social welfare, education, employment, public order and safety, disaster management, environment, agriculture, population, youth and sports development, and culture, history, arts and tourism, among others. In addition, there are administrative services that assist people in their legal, human resource development, training, information technology, business and other administrative needs.
Biñan is also fortunate to have leaders who are genuinely concerned with the welfare of the people they serve, and who put the interest of the Biñanenses at the forefront of their priority programs.