The town's name is believed to have originated from the "Binmaley" tribe, known for their fishing skills and agricultural practices, who inhabited the area before Spanish colonization.
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 fueled by its abundant natural resources. After the Spanish-American War, Binmaley became part of the American-controlled Philippines, continuing its growth as a fishing and agricultural hub.
Today, Binmaley is known for its vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and its delicious "bangus" (milkfish). The town boasts beautiful beaches like Lingayen Gulf and Bonuan Beach, attracting 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 like the Binmaley Church and the Binmaley Municipal Hall, showcasing its rich past.
Geography
Binmaley is located along the western coastland of Pangasinan facing Lingayen Gulf, in between Lingayen and Dagupan. 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.
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.
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.
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)[18][19]
Position
Name
Mayor
Pedro A. Merrera III
Vice-Mayor
Simplicio D. Rosario
Councilors
Amelito A. Sison
Ariel Z. Dela Concha
Jallen F. Alipio
Joel Jose A. Carrera
Rolando D. Ferrer
Urbano D.C. Delos Angeles III
Gericho C. Francisco
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".
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.
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![Binmaley Presidencia [1]](File:Binmaley567wjf.JPG)
