BUTUAN CITY, AGUSAN DEL NORTE
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AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Butuan City
Postal Code 8600
Area Code 085, 08521
Land Area 758 sq km
Population 265,806
Distance from Manila 491 miles south
Dialects Spoken Butuanon, Others Include Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Majority can speak and understand Tagalog and English
Background
Butuan,
chartered city, southern Philippines, capital of Agusan del Norte
Province, near the mouth of the Agusan River, on the northern coast of
Mindanao. The city is a trade center for the Agusan river valley, where
lumber, gold, abaca, and copra are produced. Butuan is reputed to be
the site at which the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan
proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over the Philippine Archipelago in 1521.
Population (1999 estimate) 247,074.
Butuan
is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Others
said, it came from a certain "Datu Buntuan " a chieftain who once ruled
Butuan. Scholars believed it came from the word "But-an, which
literally means a person who has a sound and discerning disposition.
History of Butuan
Butuan
City was originally located in Pinamangculan by the banks of the Masao
River, about a kilometer from the barrio of Libertad. Finding the place
less ideal because of the flood, the people moved to Maug, now the
municipality of Magallanes, at the mouth of Agusan river, they again
transferred to Lapaca, now known as Linungsuran in barrio Banza about
five kilometer inland Agusan River. Still troubled by floods, the
people once more settled, some eighty years ago, this time permanently,
in a higher place called Agao, which is the present site of the City
proper. A description of Butuan is not complete without infusing it
with the significance of the Agusan River and its tributaries that
provide the valley with rich soil from periodic floods. Its serpentine
route through the city and the two Agusan provinces provide the people
with easy means of transportation for trade and commerce and encourage
settlement along its banks. The Agusan River greatly helped the booming
of the "Logging Industry" which earned Butuan the name " Timber City of
the South". Butuan sprawls across the Agusan River nine kilometers from
its mouth. Towards this, to the north and seaward, run fertile rice
lands. Halfway round the city to the southwest, roll the gently sloping
hills over there Mount Mayapay looms. To the east, the majestic
Hilong-hilong and Diwata mountain ranges protect the entire valley from
fierce Pacific storms. Its very difficult to pinpoint the exact time
when the name Butuan first emerged. Certainly, the name Agusan came
into being upon the creation of the province in 1914. Before this, the
entire area had been known as such, as can be born out by old
historical records.
People an Culture
Butuan,
the prehistoric city by the river, is reportedly the site of the oldest
settlement in the Philippines, and where the first catholic mass is
said to have taken place. The Butuanons are warm and kind-hearted, just
like its name, Butuan, from the word "But-an" meaning "good".
Area Profile
Butuan,
the provincial capital, is located at the central part of Agusan del
Norte province. It lies flat along the banks of Agusan River following
along course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur,
Agusan del Norte and drains into Butuan Bay. Butuan serves a strategic
center of the Northern Mindanao region. The national highways from
Misamis Oriental, Surigao and Davao traverse the city and meet at the
junction of Barangay Ampayon, effectively linking the Northern Mindanao
provinces together.
Commerce and Industry
Butuan,
like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is
also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a
major timber producer in the region. There are 23 lumber producers and
plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the
country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas.
Commerce and Industry
Butuan,
like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is
also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a
major timber producer in the region. There are 23 lumber producers and
plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the
country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas.
Amenities
Butuan
has hotels with convention facilities which can accommodate 500 people
and can provide audio-visual equipment upon request. Butuan caters to
every filipino taste. There are a lot of inexpensive restaurants that
serve both local and international dishes. One can enjoy the most tasty
dishes with the abundant supply of seafood, pao ( the native rootcrop),
kayam, and onao from the sorroundings.
How to get There
By Air,
Butuan
is, 1 hour and 30 minutes away by plane from the national capital,
Manila and 50 minutes from Cebu City. Philippine Airlines flies from
Manila three times a week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) for Cagayan
de Oro and Cebu flies daily.
By Boat,
Butuan is easily accessible by boat from Manila, Cebu and Bohol. Gothong Lines sails from Cebu to Butuan every Tuesday.
By Land,
Buses leave from capital cities of Mindanao to Butuan several times a day.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did
you know that the tallest tree is found in Butuan? This tree which was
recognized on December 7, 1980 is a giant Toog which has a towering
height of 65 meters, a diameter of 360 centimeters and is over 200
years old. The tree is located along Butuan-Barobo Highway in Barangay
Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.
Credits
Informations from
Butuan City Website:- http://www.butuan.gov.ph/index.php
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