Located at the Northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River is Butuan City, known for its colorful history and culture. BUTUAN is a term believed to have originated from the sour fruit “Batuan”. Others opined, it came from a certain “Datu Buntu-an”, a Tausug chieftain who once ruled Butuan and opted to return to Tawi-tawi than be christianized by the Spaniards. Scholars believed, it came from the word “But-an”, which literally means a person who has sound and discerning disposition. Whichever theories appear credible depends on the kind of people residing in Butuan, for whatever is said about them, Butuan continues to live on.
Butuan’s history, culture, arts and people date back to the 4th century as showcased in museums which makes Butuan an exciting source of cultural artifacts in Mindanao.
As early as the 10th century, according to the Chinese Song Shi (history), people from Butuan had already established trading relations with the kingdom of Champa in what is now South Vietnam.
By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The best evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balangays (The BUTUAN BOAT) and other archeological finds in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old EL RIO de BUTUAN and MASAO River.
Welcome to a City that has seen over 1,683 years of recorded history! The original site of the First Easter Mass in Philippine Soil, here, the present nurtures the past and vice-versa. While the future waits promisingly in the wings. Come up close!
Brief History (Geography)
Butuan City was originally located in Pinamanculan by the banks of the Masao River, a kilometer away from barrio of Libertad. Finding the Place less ideal because of the Flood, the people moved to Baug, now the municipality of Magallanes, at the mouth of the Agusan River. They again transferred to Lapaca, now known as Linungsuan in Barrio Banza about five kilometers inland of Agusan River. Still troubled by floods, the people once more settled, this time in 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 two Agusan provinces provided the people with easy means of transportation for trade and commerce encouraged 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 City sprawls across the Agusan River nine kilometers from its mount. Towards this, to the north and seaward, run fertile Ricelands. Halfway around the city to the southwest, roll the gently sloping hills over Mount Mayapay. To the east, the majestic Hilong-Hilong and Diwata mountain ranges protect the entire valley from fierce Pacific storms.
It is 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 BUTUAN, as can be born out by old historical records.
Facts
Location
Northeastern part of the Agusan Valley sprawling across the Agusan River with a population of about 317,400 (per 2010 census)
Area
81,728 hectares
27 Urban Barangays
59 Rural Barangays
Income
Based on the 2011 Report of the Commission on Audit (COA), Butuan City, the only highly urbanized city in the region since 1985, is the 5th richest city among the Mindanao cities w ith an annual gross income of P1,238,717,499.75.
Dialect
Multi-lingual predominantly Butuanon, Cebuano (predominant) and Tagalog
Climate
Dry – March to September
Wet – October to February
Temperature
Minimum – 66 F
Maximum – 85 F
Local Holidays and major festivals
May 19 – City Fiesta (in honor of St. Joseph the Worker )
August 2 – Adlaw Hong Butuan (Charter Day Anniversary)
The Balangay FestivAL from May 1 to 31 in honor of the Patron Saint
The Kahimunan Festival from January 1 to 20, in honor of Brgy, Libertad's patron saint - Sto. Nino
What to Wear
Lightweight clothing is recommended. Informal clothing is acceptable when visiting churches or offices. For formal occasions, the traditional barong tagalong is accepted for men. Bars, restaurants and hotels have no dress code but it is considered improper to wear shorts and slipper.
