Biñan

Biñan is a city in Laguna. Practically, it is more of a bedroom community south of Manila, but is well recognized as the city where the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, received his first education.

Understand
Biñan is mostly recognized as a major economic center of Laguna for its industrial parks, as well as a suburb of Metro Manila. Despite local economic growth, it remains a vast bedroom community. The city is also home to growing mixed-use developments. Biñan is starting to see high-rise developments in the Southwoods Ecocentrum development in barangay San Francisco. Industrial parks are found to the southwest.

Climate
Biñan has a savanna climate, with long dry seasons and short wet seasons. Intense rainfall occurs during the monsoon period between June and September

Orientation
Biñan is divided into 24 barangays, and a city center, Poblacion, a barangay by itself. The city is traversed by the National Highway (Route 1) and South Luzon Expressway (E2/AH26), where most developments are concentrated. The interior of most barangays are largely residential, with exceptions on areas occupied by industrial parks and mixed-use developments.

By bus
Buses operated by Jam Transit and Jac Liner operates services to Biñan from Metro Manila. The Southwoods development in barangay San Francisco is regularly served by buses operated by BBL Transport bound for Pacita in nearby San Pedro. Those companies have terminals found near the downtown. Buses to and from Biñan are generally commuter services, so, expect crowding on rush hours.

By car
The South Luzon Expressway provides three exits that lead to Biñan: Southwoods, Carmona, and Greenfield City/LIIP. The National Highway (N1) runs through the east, but it is generally congested, especially in the Olivarez Plaza intersection. Traffic in Biñan is generally chaotic during the day and the evening, so, it is advisable to take the bus than to bring in a car.

By train
Philippine National Railways provide service to Biñan, but they only operate in the evening and early morning. There are two stations: Golden City I and Biñan, with the former being a stopover (halt) with no platform and personnel, and alighting requires you to jump off the train. There are ongoing plans to modernize the existing railway so Biñan will become more accessible by rail for most of the day.

Get around
Jeepneys and tricycles are the common modes of transport in the city. The former mostly ply the main thoroughfares, National Highway and General Malvar Street; a handful few enter the old city center. Tricycles serve the other nooks and crannies not served by jeepneys.

See
Just like its northern neighbor, San Pedro, Biñan has a few destinations worthy of importance, and most areas of the city are residential or industrial zones.

Buy




Eat
Biñan is well known for its Puto.

Go next

 * Santa Rosa, a developing industrial and residential city, just south via SLEX