It was on by virtue of Republic Act 4745 enacted by the defunct Philippine Congress created the new municipality on June 18, 1966.

When the Philippines was shaken by World War II, Filipinos buckled down and joined military units that resisted the Japanese invaders.

In Carmen, locals fought the war and drove away the Japanese army then stationed in Barangay Ising.

The Veterans Memorial Shrine, just along the national highway, has a brief history and some of the names of those who participated, and has become a tourist attraction in Carmen.

Carmen has vast rice fields while its coastal areas provide fishermen a major source of livelihood such as mud crab fattening and fishing.