Binmaley, Pangasinan

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Binmaley, Pangasinan


region = Ilocos Region (Region I)
province = Pangasinan
pop2000 = 72,625
barangays = 33
districts = 2nd District, Pangasinan
class = 3rd class; rural
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_pangasinan_binmaley.png caption = Map of Pangasinan showing the location of Binmaley.

Binmaley is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 72,625 people in 13,415 households.

Binmaley is located along the central coastland of Pangasinan facing the South China sea, in between Lingayen and Dagupan City. On January 8-9, 1945, the amphibious forces of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur used the town's beach, designated as "yellow beach", alongside the beaches of Lingayen, Dagupan, and San Fabian, in their landing operations to liberate Luzon from Japanese occupation during World War II.

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 phenomena 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.

Binmaley's town center has a beautiful Baroque cathedral 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 60s and 70s. It's name roughly means "the place which became a town" or "went to town" in the Pangasinan language.

Barangays

Binmaley is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.

External links

* [http://pag.wikipedia.org Pangasinan Wikipedia]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.pangasinan.gov.ph Official Website of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan]
* [http://www.dalityapi.com Pangasinan: Preservation and Revitalization of the Pangasinan Language and Literature]
* [http://punch.dagupan.com Sunday Punch]
* [http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan Sun Star Pangasinan]
* [http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com Pangasinan Star Online]