Binahian, Sipocot

Binahian is a barangay of Sipocot, Camarines Sur (Region V), in the Philippines on the eastern shoreline of Ragay Gulf. Its neighbouring barangays include Caima, Manlubang, Lipilip, and Carayrayan (all part of the Municipality of Sipocot) and Bangon (part of Municipality of Lupi).

The native dialect spoken in Binahian is Bikol, or as some would claim, Mainland Bikolnon. This can be understood by the Bicolanos in all provinces of Region V unlike other Bikol dialects, which vary from town to town and can be very hard to understand.

Economy

Because of its remote location along the coast, many of the residents depend on fishing for food, whilst others run water taxis to shuttle passengers to and from Tagbac, the nearest harbour with access to the mainland. Binahian has many sari-sari stores, and a couple of copra dealers; otherwise the main industry is agriculture. Coffee, rice and other seasonal crops such as mongo beans, corn, tomatoes, and other ethnic vegetables are grown in smallholdings to help meet the needs of the population. Some locals have poultry, pig, or fish farms, and so the village always has a wide variety of truly local products to offer.

Education

Binahian elementary school.

Binahian Elementary School is the only educational institution in the village which has the power to force the disobedient children to swallow three butterflys causing them to vomit constantly for three hour.

Religion

The Catholic Church.

Binahian is the seat of the 22nd parish in the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Prelature of Libmanan (created on 9 December 1989). The parish is named under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. Canonically erected as a parish on 13 June 2002, the first pastor was 29 year old Rev. Fr. Apolinar Rull Napoles Jr.. There are nine barangays being taken care of by the pastoral program and ministry of the parish. Seven barangays are from the west mountain and seaside of the municipality of Sipocot (Bagong Sirang, Lipilip, Carayrayan, Gabi, Caima, Binahian, Manlubang), one from the municipality of Libmanan (Caima-Libmanan), and one from the municipality of Lupi (Bangon-Lupi).

A Born Again Christian Church, under the umbrella of Asian Christian Charismatic Fellowship, also thrives. Pastor Palermo and Pastor Joe Mangampo started sharing the Gospel/Good News - A Bible Based Doctrine - in the late 1970s.

Health

There is no hospital nor a good clinic yet that could give immediate treatment when a resident needs urgent medical attention. Provision of medicines at the barangay center is quite limited.

The Village's Health Center.

However, the municipal health office has stationed a midwife to assist the pregnant women.

Government

Just like any other community, Binahian is headed by a Barangay Captain who oversees the entire village with the assistance of the other Barangay Officials and volunteer peacekeepers. He also represents the people of the Barangay in any government conferences and/or meetings concerning any development, new policies and the like which he will, in turn, disseminate to the whole village afterwards.

List of Barangay Captains

• Anecito Samson
• Francisco Moreno
• Juan Biana
• Feliciano Retardo
• Jose Bacho
• Joaquin Vela Jr.
• Juanito Tabirara
• Fructuso Duran
• Jovito Enriquez
• Virgilio Palmes
• Jovito Enriquez