# Binmaley

Binmaley, officially the Municipality of Binmaley (Pangasinan: Baley na Binmaley; Ilocano: Ili ti Binmaley; Tagalog: Bayan ng Binmaley), is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 86,881 people.

## Etymology

The town is thought to be named after the "Binmaley" tribe, the original inhabitants of the area. These tribespeople were known for their fishing skills and agricultural practices.

## History

During the Spanish colonial period, Binmaley became a significant trading center, particularly for salt and fish. The town thrived under Spanish rule. Its economy was fueled by its abundant natural resources.
After the Spanish-American War, Binmaley became part of the American-controlled Philippines and continued its growth as a fishing and agricultural hub.
Today, Binmaley is known for its vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and its delicious bangús (milkfish, C. chanos). The town’s beautiful seaside spots along the Lingayen Gulf, such as Bonuan Beach, attract tourists from all over the Philippines. Binmaley also hosts lively festivals - like the Pista ng Parul (Festival of Lights) - and the Binmaley Fish Festival, celebrating its cultural heritage and local produce. The town is home to historical landmarks such as the Binmaley Church and the Binmaley Municipal Hall, showcasing its rich past.
From January 8–9, 1945, the forces of US General Douglas MacArthur used the town’s beach - designated as “Yellow Beach" - alongside beaches in Lingayen, Dagupan, and San Fabián for amphibious assault operations to liberate Luzon from Japanese occupation during World War II.

## Geography

Binmaley is located along the western coast of Pangasinan facing the Lingayen Gulf, in between Lingayen and Dagupan.
Binmaley is 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from Lingayen and 210 kilometres (130 mi) from Manila.

### Barangays

Binmaley is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
* Amancoro
* Balagan
* Balogo
* Basing
* Baybay Lopez
* Baybay Polong
* Biec
* Buenlag
* Calit
* Caloocan Dupo
* Caloocan Norte
* Caloocan Sur
* Camaley
* Canaoalan
* Dulag
* Gayaman
* Linoc
* Lomboy
* Nagpalangan
* Malindong
* Manat
* Naguilayan
* Pallas
* Papagueyan
* Parayao
* Poblacion
* Pototan
* Sabangan
* Salapingao
* San Isidro Norte
* San Isidro Sur
* Santa Rosa
* Tombor

### Climate

Climate data for Binmaley, Pangasinan :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 33 (91) | 34 (93) | 34 (93) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21 (70) | 21 (70) | 23 (73) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 24 (74) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 4.3 (0.17) | 19.1 (0.75) | 27.3 (1.07) | 45.2 (1.78) | 153.3 (6.04) | 271.3 (10.68) | 411.1 (16.19) | 532 (20.9) | 364.4 (14.35) | 182.5 (7.19) | 56.3 (2.22) | 24.4 (0.96) | 2,091.2 (82.3) |
| Average rainy days | 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 134 |
| Source: World Weather Online ||||||||||||||

## Economy

Poverty incidence of Binmaley
* 10
* 20
* 30
* 40
* 2000 32.22
* 2003 21.28
* 2006 22.70
* 2009 17.53
* 2012 7.45
* 2015 9.21
* 2018 6.56
* 2021 15.24
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
The town is famous for its bangus (milkfish) aqua-culture, due to the existence of its numerous fishponds (pokok in the Pangasinan language). However, because of constant siltation over the past several years from mine tailings upstream from Agno River (due to mine operations in neighboring Benguet Province), and the overuse of artificial fish feeds, the bangus industry has suffered from fishkill, fewer viable fishponds and lower harvests. As a result, many formerly productive fishponds have been converted into large commercial and residential lots. This phenomenon is beginning to seriously threaten the unique Binmaley fishpond industry. Current Government action is inadequate due to strong pressures from other competing commercial interests, not to mention fishfeed producers.

## Government
### Local government

Binmaley, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

### Elected officials

List of Elected Officials of Binmaley (2022–2025) :
| Position | Name |
| Mayor | Pedro A. Merrera III |
| Vice-Mayor | Simplicio D. Rosario |
| Councilors | Amelito A. Sison |
| Councilors | Ariel Z. Dela Concha |
| Councilors | Jallen F. Alipio |
| Councilors | Joel Jose A. Carrera |
| Councilors | Rolando D. Ferrer |
| Councilors | Urbano D.C. Delos Angeles III |
| Councilors | Gericho C. Francisco |
| Councilors | Aurora Gene Z. Cagaoan |

## Culture

Binmaley, is famously known for its "Sigay Festival". The Pangasinan word sigay broadly translates to harvest, or a time to gather the rich yields of the farm, the sea, the ponds and the rivers. It also relates to a contraction of the words silew, meaning light, and gayaga, meaning merriment. It was Mayor Lorenzo "Enzo" Cerezo who pioneered and founded "Sigay Festival".

### Heritage

Binmaley's town center has a Neo classical church dating back to the 17th century. It also became famous throughout the Philippines for the outstanding academic achievements of students (and its distinctive corps of military cadets) from its Binmaley Catholic High School, especially when it was headed by a German priest, Fr. Leo Behneke, in the 1960s and 1970s. Its name roughly means "the place which became a town" or "went to town" in the Pangasinan language.

## Images

* The Our Lady of the Purification Parish Church
* Binmaley Museum
* Binmaley Presidencia
* Bulwagan ng Sangguniang Bayan at Himpilan ng Pambansang Kapulisan
* Pamilihang Bayan ng Binmaley
* Manat river & Gumapos Bridge
* Aerial View of Binmaley, Pangasinan
* Near Dagupan Road