History

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Location of Bingawan on Map of Panay

 

 

 

 

 

 

History has it that in 1901, a community was established known as “BINGAWAN”. It derived its name from the creek which resembled a missing tooth, a term “bingaw” in the local dialect. The creek is located west of the present site of Bingawan Central School.

Settlers from nearby towns who fled from Spanish atrocities made the newly established barrio possible. The barrio was run by the Council of Elders-the people choose among themselves. With the establishment of Barrio Bingawan was also the foundation of Bingawan Baptist Church through the efforts of an ex-soldier from Luzon who was trained under the American Missionaries.

          In 1929, the establishment of a public school was made possible by concerned barrio folks. After World War II, a complete elementary school was opened which resulted to the establishment of Bingawan High School in 1966. In 1984, said high school was converted into the present Bingawan National High School.

          Although Bingawan was created as an independent municipality in 1969, the first set of officials were appointed on April 10, 1970.

          Succeeding elections occurred in search of political leaders who brought development to the once rustic community. Public edifices began to rise and the roads crisscrossed the municipality, thus improving the delivery of basic services to the constituents particularly in the countryside.

          From 1969 up to the present, only five Mayors served the town: Hon. Victor C. Plagata, Consolador Faldas, Zafiro Palabrica, Ted Peter Plagata and the present Mayor Matt P. Palabrica. It can be said that only one family is serving the said municipality. Hon. Victor C. Palabrica happened to be the father-in-law of Zafiro Palabrica, who married the former’s daughter Josephine, and who bore his grandson Mayor Matt P. Palabrica and the incumbent Vice Mayor Mark P. Palabrica. Ted Peter Plagata is Victor C. Plagata’s nephew.

Political dynasty, may it be, the people of Bingawan is just choosing who deserves to be in the position because they are so many dreams for this town yet to come true.

BINGAWAN:

At the Heart of Panay Island

A Perfect Hiding Place

I INTRODUCTION

          It’s a good thing both us authors share the same passion-that is, travelling. For both of us, the world is too big hence it is there for us to explore. And it is good when we try to start discovering our country to understand our culture and attitudes. Before we think of going out and seeing the world, it is better to know our roots first. There are countless breathtaking views the Philippines have to offer. All we have to do is start moving and look for the wonders that nature blessed us.

          Writing historiography may be difficult for so many reasons but the experience that goes with being intimate with a town is something that is to be treasured for the rest of one’s life. It is like knowing a friend, his past interests you to understand him better, his present appeals to you because you are a part of it as you are sharing these moments with him, and his future intrigues you as you may still share this with him.

The irony of researching the facts and history of a town is that it may turn out that you may know the town better than its people. And through the process, one may feel a little sad that many events in the past were undocumented, maybe because technology back then has not yet flourished. Many past facades like the old market, or even the old town hall where the first official things are done just vanished without a trace, and human as we are, we seem to forget so easily, our memory often tricked us, that nobody seem to remember how the things were in the past. Hence, it is but a toil to narrate and describe the past without the proper documentation, but the authors did try to deliver what and how Bingawan is, in its past and in the present.

 

II SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

            Bingawan is a town blessed of not so much natural resources. Being a landlocked municipality, water is their primary problem. Being a hilly terrain, even farming is exposed to great challenges. But with the help of everyone, Bingawan continues to exist and counter the problems that appear on their midst.

          The town even boasts of numerous awards it has garnered in governance. So far, it is literally “clean and green”, a program the town is implementing to maintain the cleanliness of the town. A two and a half hour trip via a bus may take a toll on one’s body but the place is actually a perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. It has served as the hiding place of Filipinos then, and some opted to stay and lived there. We can say Bingawan must really have something for one to stay.

Bingawan, Iloilo

The town hall of Bingawan

 

Bingawan is situated at the very heart of Panay Island. It is a landlocked municipality. The youngest and smallest municipality in the Province of Iloilo, Bingawan has so many opportunities to grow, comprises of a lot of work to be done, a lot of dreams to fulfill, and a lot of challenges to survive. Slowly, Bingawan is like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon, revealing its true beauty.

The Municipal Hall at a nearer view

The architectural set-up of Bingawan can be said to be a mixture of Spanish and American eras. However, we can say that this town is more leaned to American living. Though it was a new town, it still followed the typical Spanish layout- a town hall facing its church, with its plaza on the center of both these facades. The plaza, unlike other town plazas, is a spacious field and often mistaken by newcomers as a football field rather than a plaza. Most of the residences of the townsfolk follow the American regime. If there is any house reminiscent of the Spanish colonization, it is almost close to nothingness, as the wooden houses built in this era are close to breaking down. Its gymnasium is evidently new, a work still in progress. The town hall, for a four-decade town is already wearing out. The incumbent mayor is indeed thinking hard how to get the hall reconstructed. The public market is really new, a consequence of its total devastation from fire last 2008. 

The St. Paul Conversion Parish of Bingawan

Bingawan falls under the 3^rd Congressional District of the Province of Iloilo and is considered a 4th class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2007 census of the National Census Statistics Office, it has a total population of 12, 259 people in 2,517 households. It is bounded on the North by the Municipality of Tapaz, Province of Capiz; on the Northeast by the Municipality of Dumarao, Capiz; on the South by the City of Passi, Province of Iloilo; on the Southeast by the Municipality of Calinog, Province of Iloilo-it’s Mother Municipality.

The gym is located at the plaza

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The road fronting the town hall is lined up with anahaw trees, brings one a feeling of Los Angeles, California.

Bingawan has a hilly terrain. Transportation is through buses, jeepneys, motorcycles, and pedicabs. It has a total land area of 6,858,892 hectares and is comprised of fourteen barangays.

• Agba-o
• Alabidhan
• Bulabog
• Cairohan
• Guinhulacan
• Inamyungan
• Malitbog Ilawod
• Malitbog Ilaya
• Ngingi-an
• Poblacion
• Quinangyana
• Quinar-Upan
• Tapacon
• Tubod

Anahaw trees served as the cover of the Municipal Hall from afar

 

The soil type of the municipality is classified as alimodian clay and bontog clay loam. The surface soil is brown, pale brown or light brown, reddish brown or yellowish brown, fine coarsely to granular, clay loam to loam. It is fair in organic matter content with a depth of 15-30 centimeter. The elements available are phosphorous and exchangeable potassium. Average soil pH is 5.7, which is within the requirements of most crops. The inherent soil fertility is classified as fair.

Two big creeks traverse Bingawan, of which are considered possible sources of irrigation, the Malitbog Creek and Mambiranan Creek.

Bingawan Central Elementary School

Education

Bingawan National High School. Bingawan boasts a 93% Literacy Rate

Education is regarded as the key to progress. Hence, any town is more than willing to educate its constituents to becoming an asset to the community. The Municipality of Bingawan has sixteen (17) schools, seven (7) of which are complete elementary schools, three (3) complete primary schools, five (5) incomplete primary schools and one (2) National High School.

The complete elementary schools are in Barangays Agba-o, Alabidhan, Bulabog, Guinhulacan, Quinangyana, Quinar-upan, and in the Poblacion. While the complete primary schools are in Barangays Inamyungan, Ngingi-an and Sitio Maganhop, Poblacion. The incomplete primary schools are in Barangays Cairohan, Malitbog Ilawod, Malitbog Ilaya, Tapacon, and Tubod. The National High School is located in the Poblacion. The other one named Jovita Alfaras Rivera National High School is situated in Brgy. Tapacon, Bingawan, Iloilo. No private school exists in the municipality.

Teacher deployment in the elementary schools is still adequate as of now, with a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:31 in the primary level and 1:23 in the intermediate level.

Health

          Even as a 4^th class municipality, Bingawan strives to deliver basic services to its people. The Rural Health Unit (RHU) takes charge of the delivery of basic health service particularly on primary health care (PHC) in the Municipality of Bingawan. The RHU is manned by a Rural Health Physician, a Rural Health Dentist, and Rural Health Nurse. One (1) Sanitary Inspector (RSI) and six Rural Health Midwives (RHMS). The RHU is also called the Main Health Center which is situated at the Poblacion. Scattered in different barangays are five Barangay Health Stations (BHS) specifically located in Barangays Agba-o, Bulabog, Guinhulacan, Ngingi-an and Quinar-upan. At present, the RHU is a Sentrong Sigla Certified Phase 1 and is trying to maintain the level of accreditation for a possible SS phase 2. There is one Rural Health Unit, six Barangay Health Centers and two Pharmacies. Malnutrition is at 4% while Mortality Rate is at 8%.

The Public Market

The public market of Bingawan was reconstructed last 2009. The previous market which was totally ruined by fire caused by faulty wirings, unfortunately vanished without leaving a trace. The municipal hall has never had a picture of it on their file.

          Now, it still stands on the same exact location, but now it is approximately worth 25 Million pesos. Inside it, it boasts a Defensor-Palabrica Building, since the market was done through the efforts of both the governor of Iloilo and the incumbent mayor of the town. It consisted of a number of stalls in its facade open for rentals, and a number of enterprises are already occupying come of the stalls, ranging from food businesses to services like “pera-padala”.

The public market

The market day is every Thursday of the week. Since its operation, the income of the market rose to more than 200%, an indication that the market is serving the people of Bingawan and its nearby towns well. Some Bingawaonons attest that goods are cheaper in their market than in the neighboring markets of Calinog and Passi.

The inside of the public market, “clean” is the perfect word to describe it.

 Products     

Bingawan, mostly an agricultural municipality, is a proud producer of quality bananas, papayas and bamboo. These products are sources of livelihood of the Guintapagin Agrarian Reform Community. Established in 2001, it has 93 farmer-members coming from Guinhulacan, Tapacon, Agba-o and Inamyungan. The word “Guintapagin” is a combination of these barangays’ names.

The farmers produce processed food items, bamboo products and other services. The processed food items are papaya pickles, banana in syrup, banana chips, banana muffins, banana fries, pinasugbo, polvoron (plain, with cashew and rice crispies, with peanut and pinipid, with sesame seed and peanut, plain with sprinkles, with chocolate bits, coated with white chocolate and coated with dark chocolate). The bamboo products are fans, plates, baskets and multi-purpose trays.

Their services include micro lending, palay and vegetable production and post harvest servicing (flat bed drying).

These farmers are being assisted by the Municipal Government of Bingawan, Provincial Government of Iloilo, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology.

For two years, the Guintapagain ARB MPC has participated in the One Town One Product Fair in order to find a wider market for its products. In the meantime, these are being sold in local stores. Bingawan Mayor Matt Palabrica also gives these products as gifts to the municipality’s guests.

The Guintapagin ARB MPC is located at Barangay Tapacon, Bingawan, Iloilo. It can be reached through its manager Idalyn Camba at 0928-2634-052 or through Mamerta Pelagio at 0920-3421-686 or 3962986.

The major crops of Bingawan are rice, corn, sugar cane, bananas and other farm produce. In livestock, they tend cattle, swine, poultry, carabao, and goats. As to fishing, they culture tilapia and hito.

Farm reservoir in Bingawan

Fish Culture is done in every barangay

Banana plantation at Bingawan

HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BINGAWAN

We now all knew that Bingawan is located just at the heart of Panay. Now, let us be enlightened why it is considered the perfect hiding place.

 During the Spanish era, many people were forced to hide in the mountains. The plains of Quinangyana nearby its creek, Maldispina and Quinalyan are the few places which served as the hideouts of the people. In order to survive, they worked on farms through planting and hunting of animals in the forests, to feed themselves.

          When the revolution broke out in 1896, some of the residents of Calinog, Dumalag, and Tapaz fled. And in year 1900, one big group evacuated from Calinog, came and joined in the hiding in the places mentioned. They fled from the cruel American soldiers who avenged their dead members who were massacred by the Filipinos. After some years, a few went back to Calinog but others opted to stay and earned their living in their current residence.

          Two places decided to merge to build a community, hence under the leadership of Gregorio Plaga, known as “Pakuribot”, who was a brave leader who inspected the uphill lands. The location at the south portion of the site was chosen because of its bountiful water source. And this is where a community was built which was named “BINGAWAN” in the year 1901. The name “BINGAWAN” was derived from a creek which resembled a missing tooth. Unfortunately, the site was not preserved, as residents were able to put up their houses in the place as the same was owned by a private individual.

          The first residents built a house made of cogon and bamboo which were resided by 40 families. This was called “Pagnahi-an” because each part was built as though it was a puzzle which can be seen beside the Bingawan Baptist Church.

The Bingawan Baptist Church is undergoing construction as to this date. The Major denominations in the town are Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

 

The new community needed a new set of good leaders. They were chosen among the 40 households and were called “the twelve leaders who represented the twelve apostles of the Lord” and were later called the “Founders of Bingawan”. They were Martin Celeste, Eusebio Plaga, Condrado Castroverde, Paulino Celestial, Andres Paren, Gregorio (Goyo) Plaga, Eugenio Celestial, Pablo Celebria, Eulogio Pormilda, Enrique Caspillo, Feliciano Gigare and Atanacio Gener.

          The Council of Elders was comprised by Gregorio “Pakuribot”  Plaga and Gregorio Lampeno, rebels from Janiuay who were respected by the people. Gregorio Lampeno was believed to possess some kind of power that he can easily defeat his enemies. These two men were joined by a brave woman known as “Manding Beni”.

          With the foundation of the barrio Bingawan in the year 1901 is the establishment also of Bingawan Baptist Church. Hence, we need not be surprised that this religion is the dominant sect in the said town up to the present. Gregorio Plaga and Gregorio Lampeno facilitated the evangelization of the people and many have accepted the faith. Amando Zamora, an ex-soldier from Luzon who was trained by the missionaries from America was brought by Lampeno in Bingawan and became the first Pastor of Bingawan Baptist Church.

          Later on, Charles Briggs an American missionary, and Braulio Manikan, was the first Filipino preacher and were converted from Spain through Dr. Eric Lund, arrived at Bingawan to baptize the people who received the Lord. The church was not only used as a house of faith but also as a school. Amando Zamora was known as the first Pastor and teacher.

          On the year 1904, a group of prominent household from Sta. Teresa, Dumalag, Capiz, arrived at Bingawan to live. The leaders of the said respected families were Isidro Faldas, Clemente Ferasol, and Alejandro Pamocol. These people contributed much to the progress of Bingawan.

          When the people saw the need for police officers to maintain the security of the town, the elders Condrado Castroverde and Eulogio Pormilda were the first policemen on the year 1905. They were replaced by Bernabe Pagara and Felipe Porado as members of the Council of Elders.

          On the year 1906, the people were shocked with the occurrence of fire which damaged properties and ricefields and months later, the people of Bingawan experienced famine. Through the leadership of Mateo Casalmer, then Barrio Lieutenant, he strived to rebuild the houses and the church. In a short time, many houses sprouted again likened to mushrooms occupying the place.

          On August 1912, Rev. Antonio D. Plagata came to Bingawan. Because of his good educational background from then Jaro Industrial School (now Central Philippine Uniersity), he started to teach English subjects. He served the church and the school until the establishment of Bingawan Institute on the year 1924. The teachings at the secondary school were started by Severo Cathedral, Tranquilino Bergante and Delfin Dianala.

          Rev. Antonio Plagata was not only a Pastor and a teacher but also a member of the council of Passi where Calinog was a part and from where Bingawan was a barrio. Through their efforts on the year 1926, with Vicente Castronuevo, Francisco Casa, and Eugenio Carbon, Calinog became an independent town of Passi. Because of that, Rev. Plagata served as councilor of the town of Calinog until the World War II. The Bingawaonons Javier Celo and Macario Celestial also became councilors of the town Calinog.

          The public school was opened on the year 1929, through the efforts of Vidal Derecho, Florentino Faldas, Tranquilino Sorioso, Nicanor Cerbas, Fulgencio Catoera, Antonio Plagata, Rufino Pormilos, Esperidion Landero, Daniel Geretape, Jorge Lorca, Vicente Gallaza, Primo Catoera, Francisco Vargas, Leon Landero, Felix Sagotoy, Paulino Celestial, Casimiro Plagata, Antonio Catolico, Valeriano Derecho and Condrado Castroverde. The lot where the school stands was donated by spouses Eusebio Palma and Maxima Celo Palma.

          After the Second World War, the complete elementary was opened. Because many have entered the school, Bingawan High School was finally opened last July 1966 through the efforts of Sofia Paren and Marcelina s. Castronuevo as public teachers of Bingawan Elementary School which received 84 enrollees and 1^st year High School which comprised of two sections, reasons that achieved the requisites for opening a Brgy. High School. The two who became teachers are Mrs. Myra S. Jamili and Ms. Nicolasa Quilarto. From their cooperation and sacrifices together with the residents, the school became bigger in 1984 and was called Bingawan National High School.

          On the other side, Mr. Bonifacio Castronuevo Sr., a teacher in high school in the town of Calinog prepared the supporting papers and these were processed by Dr. Victor Castronuevo and were approved through the efforts of Hon. Board Member Esperidion Jagunap who was considered as “The Father of Barangay High School”.

          The progress of the community started in the year 1952 through the leadership of Hon. Victor C. Plagata, councilor of Calinog. The Roads and the plaza were constructed, and big houses are sprouting out. The public market was constructed for the convenience of the Bingawaonons. Development was added when Hon. Victor Plagata became Vice Mayor of Calinog on the year 1955. Ten years have passed; Dr. Victor Castronuevo added glory to Bingawan when he was voted as councilor of Calinog on the year 1967.

          The diligent and hardworking Victor C. Plagata and Consolador Faldas are the ones who answered the dreams of Bingawan becoming a town. Through the efforts of Congressman Ricardo Y. Ladrido, RA 5511 was approved last June 21, 1969 that finally made Bingawan a town and became an independent municipality of the province of Iloilo.

          On April 10, 1970m the first town officials were appointed and Hon. Victor C. Plagata became the first town mayor and Consolador Faldas, vice-mayor. The council was comprised by Sulpicio Castronuevo, Ildefonso Caras, Santos Laygan, Bernardo Girao, Aurelio Gargoles and Alepio Castillanes. They took their oath of office before Judge Lodrigio Lebaquin.

          Through the leadership of Mayor Victor Plagata, the roads connecting the nearby barangays were constructed and the same were made to the barangay roads. Schools were built for the convenience of the life of the people.

          On February 22, 1986 EDSA revolution, Vice Mayor Consolador Faldas replaced incumbent Mayor Victor Plagata on June 23, 1986. He served as an OIC mayor until November 30, 1987.

          On December 1, 1987, Victor Plagata was again posted as an OIC Mayor until another election was conducted. Ildefonso Caras became the Vice Mayor and the Councilors were: Nicasio Castro, Ignacio Glory, Elma Celestial, Jose Rabago Sr., Reynaldo Labus, Wilhelm Sumagaysay, Jose Magbanua, and Nemesio Seran.

          When the local elections were held last January 11, 1988, Mr. Zafiro Palabrica was elected as Mayor and Juanito Cerbo as Vice Mayor. The members of the Council were: Felino Gardose, Merlie Cataluna, Ted Peter Plagata, Dioscoro P. Caras, Rex L. Celeste, Bonifacio Castronuevo Jr., Nonie Ysulan and Sulpicio Morales Jr.

          Under his term, more infrastructures were built and improved, including the establishment of a Guest House beside the town hall. Public markets in Brgy. Poblacion, Alabidhan, and Inamyungan were opened. Local Resources Management and Multi-Purpose Pavements were made possible and these were followed by the opening of primary schools in Brgy. Malitbog Ilawod and Tapacon.

          On May 11, 1992, Mayor Zafiro Palabrica was again voted as Mayor and Merlie Cataluna served as Vice Mayor. The councilors were: Lorna P. Tipsay, Ted Peter P. Plagata, Felino Gardose, Fred P. Fara-on, Sammy T. Pormilos, Rex L. Celeste, Edwin S. Faldas, and Nonie V. Ysulan. On the year 1995, again, the people of Bingawan chose Mayor Zafiro Palabrica to lead them. Ted Peter Plagata became the Vice Mayor and the councilors were: Eduardo A. Dalipe, Sulpicio P. Morales Jr., Leovigilda G. Castroverde, Julius Cerbo, Sammy T. Pormilos, Nonie V. Ysulan, Merlie C. Ocampo, Rex Celeste, Pedro M. Bacera-ABC President and Freddie Q. Compas, SK Municipal Federation President. Mayor Zafiro Palabrica served as mayor of the town until May 10, 1998.

          Some of the projects that were materialized under Mayor Palabrica’s reign are: building 11 Satellite schools, Barangay Halls, Markets, Municipal Library and Covered GYM, cementing of 3 major bridges, facilitated the reclassification of Brgy. Road to National Road from Brgy. Cairohan to Brgy. Poblacion. Mayor Palabrica received Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines Fighting Cock National Award by the Progressive Alliance of Citizens for Democracy and Presidential Assistant on Community Development (PACD) last January 6, 1991. During his term, the town was a consistent awardee to the Clean and Green Awards/ GAWAD NG PANGULO SA KAPALIGIRAN. The town has received the following awards: Champion, National Recognition for Outstanding LGU/NGO/PO Partnership in Local Governance at PICC, Manila on July 10, 1993; Overall Champion, Boy Scout of the Philippines, Iloilo Council Year 1996-98; 4^th Runner-up-Alabidhan Working Youth Organization 1996 Search for Outstanding Working Youth Organization of the Philippines in Malacañang, Manila last February 1997; 3^rd Runner-up-Bingawan Working Youth Organization 1997-98 Search for Outstanding Working Youth Organization of the Philippines in Manila last February 1998.

          Last January 18, 1993, Matt P. Palabrica was elected as SK President of the Province of Iloilo, making him the first Bingawaonon to have a seat at Iloilo Provincial Board. Under his term, the SK Hall was built and he was chosen as Youth Ambassador of Goodwill to the 23^rd Ship for Southeast Asian Program which was joined by the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, Darussalam, and Japan.

          On May 11, 1998, new officials of Bingawan were: Mayor-Ted Peter Plagata; Vice Mayor-Eduardo A. Dalipe; Councilors-Lydia C. Lagarto, Felino Gardose, Lorna P. Tipsay, Jose C. Rabago Jr., Rosalie C. Plaga, Bonifacio L. Ilisan, Delia C. Celeste, Sulpicio Morales Jr., ABC President Pedro M. Bacera and SK President Mark P. Palabrica.

          On May 2001, again Mayor Ted Peter Plagata and Lydia C. Lagarto seated as Mayor and Vice-Mayor respectively. The councilors were: Merlie C. Ocampo, Gladys Pearl P. Tipsay, Jose C. Rabago Jr., Rosalie C. Plaga, Hector Belloga, Bonifacio L. Ilisan, Wennie Javellana, Sulpicio Morales Jr., ABC President Pedro M. Bacera and SK President Mark P. Palabrica. On 2004 elections, Ted Peter Plagata still served as the Mayor while Rosalie C. Plaga served as the Vice Mayor. The councilors were: Merlie C. Ocampo, Jose C. Rabago Jr., Hector Belloga, Delia C. Celeste, Ronilo Q. Compas, Mark P. Palabrica, Edwin S. Faldas and Leovy C. Simora. ABC President was Noel Pendioday and SK Municipal Federation President Roshely P. Cerbo.

          After the May 14, 2007 elections, a new set of officials is elected and is called “The Young Ones” with the leadership of young and vibrant Mayor Matt P. Palabrica and Vice Mayor Mark P. Palabrica. These two are brothers and the sons of former Mayor Zafiro Palabrica. The councilors are:  Wennie P. Javellana, Roger C. Genturo, Ronilo Q. Compas, Rosalie C. Plaga, Leovy C. Simora, Edwin S. Faldas, Eleuterio C. Patriarca Jr., and Delia C. Celeste. After more than a year, Delia C. Celeste retired from service and was replaced by Essie C. Palmejar.

 

Again, in the May 2010 elections, both the Palabricas won in the same posts. The councilors are: Jofe Celeste, Lorens Belloga, Wennie P. Javellana, Leovy C. Simora, Essie C. Palmejar, Nemesio Cachite, Jose C. Rabago Jr., and Eleuterio C. Patriarca Jr. ABC President is Joenel Tabilla and SK Municipal Federation President Lalaine Chiva.

          After four years of being in the service of Bingawaonons, Mayor Matt Palabrica has contributed many developments to the town. In education, it must be given emphasis that another High School is established under the name Jovita Alfaras  Rivera National High School in Brgy. Tapacon and the computerization of Bingawan Central School.

          As of December 31, 2010, Bingawan has a total population of 14, 087 and 2, 912 households who continue to live in a peaceful town with only one crime incident for the year 2011. It is considered as a town of the lowest crime rate in the entire province.

Town Fiesta: January 25

Pagnahi-an Festival/Foundation Day: June 21

Pagnahi-an festival is the celebration of the foundation of Bingawan