Mabini, Pangasinan


Mabini, officially the Municipality of Mabini, is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people.
The municipality was formerly called Balincaguin.
WWW mabini-pangasinan.gov.ph

History

The Municipality of Mabini used to be part of the Province of Zambales and was surrounded by mountains, forests, and valleys. It was originally called "Balincaguin" that was derived from the Zambal phrase "Bali Lan Caguin" which means "abode of bats". This name referred to the nocturnal mammals that inhabited the caves found in the hills and mountains between the municipality and Zambales in the west and Tarlac to the south-west.
The place is believed to have been founded in 1610 by Spanish missionaries from the Order of Augustinian Recollects. In 1800, Balincaquin became a town under Don Isidro Puzon who is believed to be the founder. Some of its population were Ilocanos who moved to the municipality due to its agricultural potential. The site where these settlers situated near the mountains used to be called "Conventa."
Good quality rice was then consistently produced and marketed to Manila and even to China. Other products such as corn, sugar cane, cotton and so forth were also demanded and consequently distributed widely in numerous markets. Apart from agriculture, the industry of saddle-making, knapsack-making, and hat-weaving existed. The residents also engaged in tending to livestock such as cattle, carabaos, horses, and goats. At the same time, a gradual increase in the number of bats compelled the residents to catch them. These mammals were suspected of flying through the nearby forests because of the catching that lasted until 1930.
The municipality was merged with Alaminos, Bani, Anda, Dasol, Burgos, Bolinao and Infanta in 1904 and presently comprises the province's first district. In 1930, the town's name was changed to Mabini in honor of hero Apolinario Mabini.

Geography

Mabini is situated from the provincial capital Lingayen, and from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Mabini is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
  • Bacnit
  • Barlo
  • Caabiangan
  • Cabanaetan
  • Cabinuangan
  • Calzada
  • Caranglaan
  • De Guzman
  • Luna - formerly known as Balayang
  • Magalong
  • Nibaliw
  • Patar
  • Poblacion
  • San Pedro
  • Tagudin
  • Villacorta

Government

Local government

Mabini is part of the first congressional district of the province of Pangasinan. It 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

PositionName
CongressmanArthur F. Celeste
MayorColin A. Reyes
Vice-MayorDarius P. Bonalos
CouncilorsRommel Federico D. Boling
CouncilorsRoger V. Romero
CouncilorsAlvin B. Briana
CouncilorsFernando C. Fontelera
CouncilorsJose L. Barao Jr.
CouncilorsChristian Zeus D. Barcelona
CouncilorsChristian Karl B. Pamo
CouncilorsRichard N. Barrocan

List of municipal mayors

The municipal heads from the time when it was founded up to the present.

Education

The Mabini Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Caabiangan Elementary School
  • Cabanaetan Elementary School
  • Cabinuangan Elementary School
  • Calzada Elementary School
  • Caranglaan Elementary School
  • Dalupang Elementary School
  • De Guzman Elementary School
  • Luna Elementary School
  • Mabini Central School
  • Magalong Elementary School
  • Mangatarem Catholic School
  • Patar Elementary School
  • San Pedro Elementary School
  • Sta. Rita Elementary School
  • Sto. Niño Learning Center
  • Surod Elementary School
  • Tagudin Elementary School
  • Villacorta Elementary School

Secondary schools

Notable personalities