ARC 035
PLANNING 2
FUNDAMENTALS OF URBAN DESIGN
& COMMUNITY ARCHITECTURE
" SOCIO CULTURAL FACTORS
IN THE CITY OF BIÑAN "
Case Study 1
Date Given: January 10, 2022
Date Due: January 14, 2022
College of Engineering & Architecture
University of Pangasinan - PEN
Patricia May P. Fernandez
Student name
Archt. Maria Teresa Cuares - Velasco
Instructor
Table of Contents
I. Biñan City 1
II. Socio-cultural factors affecting the Biñan City 2
a. Culture 2
b. Language 3
c. Religion 3
d. Level of Education 4
e. Economic Status 5
f. Attitude 7
g. Politics and Law 7
III. Social Issues affecting the City 8
a. Poverty and Homelessness 8
b. Climate Change 9
c. Gender Inequality 11
d. Health Care Availability 11
e. Bullying 12
f. Raise Awareness through Education 12
IV. References 14
I. Biñan City
Biñan, officially the City of Biñan, is a 1st
class component city in the province of Laguna,
Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has
a population of 407,437 people.
Biñan, also known as Biniang, has become both a suburban residential
community of Metro Manila and a location for some of the Philippines' largest industrial
estates and export processing zones. According to the 2020 census, it has a population
of 407,437, making it the third largest in population in the province of Laguna, after
Calamba and Santa Rosa.
By virtue of Republic Act 10658, signed on March 27, 2015, by President Benigno
Aquino III, Biñan has been separated from the First Congressional District of Laguna
and formed the Lone Congressional District of Biñan. The first representative, the
former mayor of the city, has been elected during the 2016 elections, unopposed.
Alonte Sports Arena New City Hall
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II. Socio-cultural factors affecting the Biñan City:
II.a. Culture
Araw ng Biñan
The three-day Araw ng Biñan, commemorates the cityhood anniversary
(February 2), Biñan's liberation day from the Japanese Imperial Forces (February 3),
and the remembrance of the founding anniversary of Biñan (February 5).
Biñan Puto Latik Festival
Happening every first week of February since 2011, the Puto Latik Festival is to
commemorate the Puto Biñan, which is Biñan's rice cake delicacy, and the Maglalatik
traditional dance that originated from Biñan. However, beginning 2017, it shall be
celebrated every May 15–23, because of the Maglalatik's historical significance to the
celebration of San Isidro Labrador's feast day, the city's patron saint.
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Biñan embraces Rizal as its own
In the city of Biñan in Laguna province, another statue of Dr. Jose Rizal was put
up recently to affirm the city’s historical connection to the national hero.
The newest 7-foot-tall stone sculpture was unveiled across City Hall on Dec. 18
to remember the day the young Rizal left Biñan in 1871 after studying there for two
years, said BJ Borja of the city’s culture, history, arts and tourism office.
The city government, however, failed to find any record of the Biñan school
where Rizal got his first formal education.
II.b. Language
Citizens of Biñan use Tagalog as their native language, with 99% of people using
it. The remaining percentage consists of 0.5% Bicolano, and 0.5% Ilocano.
II.c Religion
The majority of the people are Roman Catholics. Other religious groups include
are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (better known as the Mormons or
LDS Church), the Members Church of God International (Ang Dating Daan/The Old
Path/El Camino Antiguo), Biyaya Ng Diyos Christian Fellowship, United Church of Christ
in the Philippines (UCCP), Jesus Is Lord Church (JIL), The United Methodist Church,
Presbyterian Churches, Baptist and Bible Fundamental churches.
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Front view of Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish Church, Biñan San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, located at the downtown
city plaza of Barangay Poblacion.
II.d. Level of Education
Biñan is also considered the educational center of the first congressional district
of Laguna, having the most number of secondary and tertiary schools in the area. Most
barangays in the city also have their own respective public elementary schools.
Biñan has 3 universities: the University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, the
first university in the city, located at Barangay Santo Niño via the National Highway; the
Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Biñan Campus, located at Barangay Zapote;
and De La Salle University − Laguna Campus at Barangays Malamig and Biñan.
University of Perpetual Help System Laguna Polytechnic University of the Philippines
De La Salle University − Laguna Campus
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II.e. Economic Status
Biñan has been popularly recognized as the trading center area immediately
south of Metro Manila. The city has the largest public market in the province of Laguna,
and in the Calabarzon Region. Retailers from nearby towns often plow the city proper to
purchase goods and merchandise intended to be sold elsewhere. Biñan has also been
the center of commerce in the region because of the numerous banking institutions
across the city, plus the ever-growing number of commercial establishments and
emerging shopping centers.
A common sight is the preparations and setting up of the wholesalers and the
arrival of jeepneys and trucks carrying various items such as fruits, vegetables, dry
goods, dairy products, meat, fish, etc. The market activity would be 24 hours with peak
reaching the early hours (3:00–7:00 am) as Filipinos are known to work in the early
hours of the day trying to prevent exposure to the beating sun.
The city is also known for a type of pancake made from rice flour, topped with
cheese or butter (Puto Biñan). There are also slices of savory salted egg on top to
contrast the mildly sweet pancake base. The best known makers of Puto in Biñan are
located in the barangay of San Vicente, and the city is renowned as "The Home of the
Famous Puto Biñan in Laguna".
Notable malls and shopping centers in the city include the Southwoods Mall
(managed by Megaworld), Pavilion Mall (managed by Ayala Malls), Central Mall Biñan,
and Umbria Commercial Center.
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Southwoods Mall Pavilion Mall
Central Mall Biñan Umbria Commercial Center
The annual regular revenue of Biñan for the fiscal year of 2016 was
₱1,530,342,881.53.
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II.f. Attitude
If you grew up in Laguna and you work or study in a different province or
Manila, your officemates or classmates would expect you to bring Buko Pie. They would
always subtly remind you to do so. They also use words such as ‘nakain, naulan,
natakbo’. Also, instead of saying ‘Uwian na’ after their classes, they say ‘Awasan na!’.
II.g. Politics and Law
A new city hall was constructed on Barangay Zapote to reflect its status as a
component city. The former municipal hall remains standing in the city proper, now
offices the Sentrong Pangkultura ng Biñan (Biñan Center for Culture and Arts), to
maintain the city's culture and arts tradition.
On January 26, 2015, a 15–0 vote from senators approved the House Bill 3917 in
the third and final reading, amending the charter city of Biñan to a congressional district
in Laguna and will be separated from the first district. Republic Act 10658, which
President Aquino signed into law on March 27, 2015, separated Biñan from the first
legislative district of Laguna. Under the law, the incumbent representative of the first
district of Laguna will continue to represent the new district until the expiration of his
term. The Commission on Elections was tasked to issue the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the measure within 30 days after its effectivity. Former
Laguna First District Rep. Danilo Fernandez hailed the passage of the law, saying it
would improve the delivery of services to Biñan residents. He said Biñan has met the
population and revenue requirements to be a legislative district.
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III. Social Issues affecting the City
III.a Poverty and Homelessness
The economic activities in Biñan has helped the city reduce poverty among its
residents. Based on the 2015 Small Area Estimates on Poverty released by the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Biñan saw poverty incidence go down to 5.2
percent in 2015 from 7.9 percent in 2012.
Efforts are underway to bring this down further. One of the ways the city is
trying to do this is by attracting investors to locate in Biñan. One of the metrics used to
gauge its efforts is the City Competitiveness rankings.
The Competitiveness rankings, according to the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), ranks cities and municipalities based on an overall competitiveness
score. The score is a sum of the scores on economic dynamism, government efficiency,
infrastructure, and resiliency. The higher the score of a city or municipality, the more
competitive it is.
In this ranking, Biñan City is considered a component city. These cities are
located within the boundaries of two or more provinces. These cities become
component cities of the province where they used to be municipalities.
Based on the 2020 Competitiveness Rankings of Component Cities, Biñan
ranked 11th overall with a score of 50.6753. This ranking is a major achievement of the
city considering that when it started in 2015, Biñan ranked 35th with an overall score of
38.2368. The performance of the city continued improving with a ranking of 32nd in
2016; 7th in 2017; 6th in 2018; and 13th in 2019.
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III.b Climate Change
Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Biñan Philippines
In Biñan, the summers are short, hot, and overcast; the winters are short, warm,
wet, and partly cloudy; and it is oppressive year round. Over the course of the year, the
temperature typically varies from 73°F to 93°F and is rarely below 69°F or above 96°F.
Based on the beach/pool score, the best time of year to visit Biñan for hot-
weather activities is from early January to early April.
Average Temperature in Biñan
The hot season lasts for 1.5 months, from April 7 to May 24, with an average
daily high temperature above 92°F. The hottest month of the year in Biñan is May, with
an average high of 92°F and low of 79°F.
The cool season lasts for 2.6 months, from November 25 to February 14, with an
average daily high temperature below 87°F. The coldest month of the year in Biñan is
January, with an average low of 73°F and high of 85°F.
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The figure below shows you a compact characterization of the entire year of
hourly average temperatures. The horizontal axis is the day of the year, the vertical axis
is the hour of the day, and the color is the average temperature for that hour and day.
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III.c. Gender Inequality
CHRDO, administered by Ms. Jenny Anne Sarmiento, held a Seminar on Gender
Sensitivity in the Workplace on July 24, 2017 at People’s Center, Brgy. Zapote, City of
Biñan, Laguna. The seminar sought to develop gender equality and development where
men and women enjoy the same status and condition and have equal opportunity to
contribute in a workplace. The said seminar which aimed to spread awareness and to
put an end to gender discrimination was attended by one hundred and fifty (150) male
and female employees of the City Hall.
III.d. Health Care Availability
Biñan City Health Office I is a government owned health center located in BIñan
City, Laguna.
They provide quality healthcare
services to the public and they also offer free
consultations for pregnant women. Their
staffs are highly trained and experienced
professionals who will be able to assist you
with your needs.
The Alonte Sports Arena located in Biñan, Laguna has been turned into COVID-
19 treatment facility or ‘We Heal As One Center’ by Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) Task Force for Augmentation of Health Facilities.
The fully air-conditioned Alonte Sports
Arena was transformed into makeshift hospital
with a total of 68 bed cubicles, nurse’s station,
sanitation chamber, and separate toilet for
healthcare workers.
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This facility is the tenth ‘We Heal as One Center’ completed since the
government kicked off a project to convert stadiums, exhibition centers, and other
buildings into mega quarantine facilities to augment and increase the capacity of our
hospitals.
III.e Bullying
Laura De Guzman, from University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, conducted
a research regarding bullying incidence at its impact on the 3rd year BS Accountancy
students’ intellectual ability.
Their study used descriptive-correlation research design. The study specifically
looked into the common bullying incidence among 3rd year BS Accountancy student in
terms of Physical Abuse, Verbal Abuse and Indirect Abuse as well as the impact of
bullying on their intellectual ability. The researcher-made questionnaire was
administered. The respondents didn’t experience bullying incidence in terms of physical
abuse. The respondents didn’t experience bullying incidence in terms of verbal abuse.
The respondents didn’t experience bullying incidence in terms of indirect abuse. The
respondents strongly disagreed that bullying incidence had an impact on their
intellectual ability. The less the incidence of physical, verbal and indirect abuse they
experience, the lesser is its impact on their intellectual ability. There is a significant
relationship between bullying incidence and its impact on their intellectual ability.
III.f. Raise Awareness Through Education
Last April 10, 2017 at the
Mamplasan Elementary School, around 300
people graduated from the Drug Abuse
Resistance Education (DARE) program -a
joint project of the PNP Biñan, the
Association of Brgy. Councils (ABC), and
the City Government of Biñan. City Mayor
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Atty. Walfredo R. Dimaguila, Jr., City Vice Mayor Angelo B. Alonte, the new Biñan PNP
OIC-Chief, Police Supt. Elpidio A. Ramirez, ABC President Hon. Rommel Dicdican and
Mrs. Gemma Ocampo of the Mamplasan Elementary School led the awarding of
certificates to our graduates. DARE is the first program of our new Biñan PNP OIC-
Chief. Its objective is to raise awareness on why people should refrain from using illegal
drugs.
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