Butuan
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| Butuan City Dakbayan hong Butuan Lungsod ng Butuan |
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| — Highly-urbanized city — | ||
| City of Butuan | ||
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| Nickname(s): Timber City of the South, Home of the Balangays | ||
| Motto: "Historic Butuan: Ato ini, Kadyawon ta!" | ||
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 Butuan City
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| Coordinates: 8°56′57″N 125°32′37″E / 8.94917°N 125.54361°ECoordinates: 8°56′57″N 125°32′37″E / 8.94917°N 125.54361°E | ||
| Country |  Philippines |
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| Region | Region XIII (Capital City of CARAGA) | |
| Province | Agusan del Norte (Seat of Government) | |
| Districts | Second District of Agusan del Norte | |
| Barangays | 86 | |
| Official Languages | Cebuano Widely Spoken, Butuanon, Filipino, English | |
| Incorporated (town) | 1902 | |
| Incorporated (city) | August 2, 1950 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. (LP) (2010-Present) | |
| • Vice Mayor | Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun (LP) (2010-Present) | |
| • Congress | Jose Aquino II (LKS-CMD) (2007-Present) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 817.28 km2 (315.55 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 0 m (3 ft) | |
| Population (2010)[1] | ||
| • Total | 309,709 | |
| • Density | 379/km2 (980/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | |
| ZIP code | 8600 | |
| Area code(s) | (+63) 85 | |
| Income class | 1st Class Highly Urbanized City | |
| Website | www.butuan.gov.ph | |
Butuan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Butuan; Butuanon: Dakbayan hong Butuan; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Butuan) is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines. The city is also the regional center of Caraga. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley, Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del Norte, to the east by Agusan del Sur and to the northwest by Butuan Bay. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 309,709 people.[1]
The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit, batuan. Other etymology sources say that it comes from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled over Butuan.[citation needed]
Butuan was the capital of the province of Agusan del Norte until 2000 when Republic Act 8811 transferred the capital to Cabadbaran.
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History[edit]
By the 10th century, Butuan had established trading relations with the Kingdom of Champa, in what is now southern Vietnam, and Srivijaya empire of Sumatra.
By the 11th century, Butuan was a center of trade and commerce in the Philippines and was the location of the prehispanic Indianized Kingdom of Butuan. Archaeological finds from that era include the nine balanghai called "the Butuan boats," and the finds in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.
First Mass On March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered a mass to be celebrated which was officiated by Friar Pedro Valderrama, the Andalusion chaplain of the fleet, the only priest then. The other priest, the French Bernard Calmette (Bernardo Calmeta) had been marooned at Patagonia with Juan de Cartagena for being implicated in the mutiny at San Julian. Conducted near the shores of the island, the Holy First Mass marked the birth of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines. Colambu and Siaiu were the first natives of the archipelago, which was not yet named "Philippines" until the expedition of Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in 1543, to attend the mass among other Mazaua inhabitants, together with visitors from Butuan who came with the entourage of Rajah Colambu, King of Butuan.
Controversy has been generated with regard to the holding of the first mass—whether it was held in Limasawa, Leyte in Masao, Butuan City, in the hidden isle made up of barangays Pinamanculan and Bancasi inside Butuan, in the latest discovered site in between agusan sur and surigao sur, the little barangay of Barobo, or elsewhere. It is sure, however, that Ferdinand Magellan did not drop anchor by the mouth of Agusan River in 1521 and hold mass to commemorate the event which was held at Mazaua, an island separate from 1521 Butuan which was in the geographical conception of Europeans who wrote about it was a larger entity than what it is now. Antonio Pigafetta who wrote an eyewitness account of Magellan's voyage described in text and in map a Butuan that stretched from today's Surigao up to the top edge of Zamboanga del Norte.
The first municipal election in Butuan took place on March 1902 in accordance with Public Law No. 82[2] which coincided with the American occupation of the place.
During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Butuan was razed to the ground when the guerrilla forces attacked the enemy garrison during the middle of 1943. In 1945, the Philippine Commonwealth troops in Butuan together with the recognized guerrillas attacked the Japanese forces during the Battle of Agusan. On October 20, 1948, still recovering from the war, the entire municipality was ruined by a fire.
The boom of the logging industry from the 1950s to the middle of 1970s made Butuan the "Timber City of the South" and led to an influx of business and fortune seekers from other provinces. The flourishing logging industry inspired and prompted Congressman Marcos M. Calo to file a bill converting Butuan into a city and on August 2, 1950, Butuan became a city.[3]
Butuan was reclassified from a chartered city to a "highly urbanized city" on February 7, 1995.
Mayors and Vice Mayors[edit]
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Geography[edit]
Topography[edit]
Butuan City has a land area of 81,728 hectares km2, which is roughly 4.1% of the total area of the Caraga region. With an estimated total population of 309,709 census NSO May 10, 2012 it has an average density of 367 persons per km2, higher than the regional average density of 101 persons per km2.
The existing land use of the city consists of the following uses: agriculture areas (397.23 km2), forestland (268 km2), grass/shrub/pasture land (61.14 km2) and other uses (90.242 km2). Of the total forestland, 105 km2 is production forest areas while 167.5 km2 is protection forest areas.
The forestland, as mentioned earlier, comprised both the production and protection forest. The classified forest is further specified as production forest and protection forest. In the production forest industrial tree species are mostly grown in the area. The production forest on the other hand, is preserved to support and sustain necessary ecological performance. One is the watershed areas will dry up and during heavy rain, rapid water run-off will occur creating flash floods. And in sunny days, rapid evaporation happens, leaving the area arid.
The city is endowed with swamplands near its coastal area. These swamp areas are interconnected with the waterways joined by the Agusan River. Most of the swamplands are actually mangroves that served as habitat to different marine species.
Filling material needs of the city are extracted usually from the riverbank of Taguibo River. Others are sourced out from promontories with special features and for special purpose.
The fishing ground of Butuan is the Butuan Bay of which two coastal barangays are located. It extends some two kilometers to the sea and joins the Bohol Sea. These are barangays Lumbocan and Masao.
Barangays[edit]
Butuan City is politically subdivided into 86 barangays (abbreviated as "Brgy." or "Bgy."). Of these, 29 are classified as urban and the remaining 57 are classified as rural.
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Education[edit]
Butuan City is the center of education in the Caraga region. There are now two universities in the city. The first home grown university of the region is the Father Saturnino Urios University. The second is the Caraga State University (CSU), which was formerly known as the Northern Mindanao Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST). There is also the Timber City Academy(亞虞山培青中學), the oldest Chinese school in the region. Other than the privately run academic institutions that address the collegiate-level needs of the locals, most basic-level schools are publicly run, notably the Butuan City SPED Center, the Butuan Central Elementary School, and the Agusan National High School (ANHS) which are adjacent to each other and found at the old center of the city. Teachers from these three schools have significant exposure to complimentary seminars and workshops with partnership programs such as the Philippine-Australia Project on Basic Education (PROBE), enabling these schools and others to maintain high rating National Achievement Test results ,(BCSAT) the trade school in Butuan city.[citation needed]
Notable Colleges and Universities
- Agusan College, Inc. (since 1951)
- AMA Computer Learning Center
- Butuan Doctors' College (since 1971)
- Caraga State University (since 1946)
- Fr. Saturnino Urios University (since 1901)
- St. Joseph Institute of Technology (since 1971)
- New Era University Butuan Campus (2015)
Other Colleges and Institutions
- Agusan Business and Arts Foundation (since 1983)
- Agusan Institute of Technology (since 1985)
- Asian College Foundation (since 1991)
- Balite Institute of Technology-Butuan
- Butuan City Colleges (since 1950)
- Butuan City Liga College (since 2012)
- Corjesu Computer College
- Elisa R. Ochoa Memorial Northern Mindanao School of Midwifery (since 1958)
- Grand View College
- Holy Child Colleges of Butuan City (since 2000)
- Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology
- Saint Peter College Seminary
- Sunrise Christian College Foundation of The Philippines (since 1994)
Notable Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Agusan National High School
- Butuan Central Elementary School
- Butuan City SPED
- Caraga State University
- Fr. Saturnino Urios University
- Timber City Academy
- Philippine Science High School (on-going construction)
Festivals[edit]
The Kahimunan Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January in celebration of the city patron Sr. Sto. Niño. This celebration is a Butuanon version of the Sinulog festival of Cebu City. Kahimunan is a Lumad term which means "gathering". The Cultural festival/tourism consciousness week is a week long celebration that lasts from the last week of July up to August 2 in celebration of the Charter Day of Butuan. The Abayan Festival, a part of the Cultural Festival, is held in celebration of St. Anne, patroness of Agusan River, which is celebrated every last Sunday of July. Adlaw Hong Butuan is the charter day celebration of Butuan, which includes a thanksgiving mass, motorcade, palagsing festival, street party recognitions of outstanding Butuanons and city government employees night. Butuan celebrates its annual fiesta, the Balangay Festival, for the celebration of the city patron St. Joseph every whole month of May, with the exact feast day of St. Joseph on May 19. The city holds many events such as summer league basketball championship games, thanksgiving mass, and more.
Food delicacies[edit]
“Palagsing” is a local delicacy popularly made in Banza, one of the old poblacion of Butuan City. The popularity of making Palagsing in Banza is attributed to the abundance of Lumbiya (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) where Unaw or lumbiya starch is harvested from the Palm Tree. Another popular ingredient is young coconut meat taken from coconut trees. The mixture of unaw, young coconut and brown sugar make palagsing moist and chewy. They are delicately wrapped by banana leaves and are boiled for 30 minutes to create the soft consistency of palagsing.
Radio and television[edit]
AM Radio Station
- Bombo Radyo Butuan 981 kHz
- RMN Radyo Agong 693 kHz
- Radyo ng Bayan 792 kHz
- Radyo Asenso 756 kHz
- Hope Radio 1323 kHz
FM Radio Station
- Radyo Trumpeta FM 103.9 mHz
- Killer Bee FM 102.3 mHz
- Real Radio 88.7 mHz
- Love Radio 95.1 mHz
- Wild FM 98.5 mHz
- I-FM 100.7 mHz
- Power FM 107.8 mHz
- Magik FM 97.5 mHz
Television News Program
- Aksyon Caraga
- Disney Channel Network News Caraga
- TV Patrol Caraga
- Solar Network News Caraga
- Solar Nightly News Caraga
- Solar Daybreak Caraga
- Testigo Caraga (upcoming program GMA Caraga)
Tourist Attractions[edit]
Agusan River The Agusan River is the widest and most navigable river in Mindanao. Natives who live on the banks of this river pay tribute to their Patroness, Senora Sta. Ana (Saint Anne) every last Sunday of July in the Abayan festival.
Balangay The Balangays (or Balanghai) are ancient boats found in Butuan. They were excavated in the Balangay Shrine, across the Masao River from Bood Promontory. They played a major role in Butuan because Butuan was, and still is, a port city. Since its discovery, the Balangays are an icon of Butuan. Now, the Kaya ng Pinoy, Inc. recreated the Balangay boats and sailed it on their project, the Balangay Voyage. So far they have only sailed in Southeast Asia, though they are planning to sail around the world.
Balangay Shrine Museum The Balangay Shrine Museum, located in Brgy. Libertad, lays the graveyard of the Balangay 1 dated 320 A.D. or 1688 years old. The Balangay shrine museum is located at Balanghai, Libertad, Butuan City. This wooden plank-build and edge-pegged boats measured an average of 15 meters in length and 3 meters wide across the beam. To date, 9 Balangays have already been discovered in Ambangan, Libertad. Three have been excavated and others are still in Site.
National Museum (Butuan City Branch) This museum is the repository of historical and cultural materials and artifacts that proves Butuan's prehistoric existence and rich cultural heritage. There are two exhibit galleries. The Archaeological Hall and Ethnological Hall specimens of stone crafts, metal crafts, woodcrafts, potteries, goldsmith, burial coffins, and other archaeological diggings are exhibited. At the Ethnological Hall are exhibits of contemporary cultural materials the Butuanon or every Filipino for matter used for a living.
Mount Mayapay Looming southwest of the Agusan Valley is this majestic mountain plateau. It rises to 2,214 feet (675 m) above sea level. Mount Mayapay got its name from the ancient Madjapahit Empire. The history behind the Sri-Vishaya period bears much meaning and influence of Butuan's pre-historic and archaeological discoveries.
Delta Discovery Park Delta Discovery Park is a newly opened zip-line in Butuan. Delta Discovery Park is located at Brgy. Bonbon, Butuan City. A Hidden Paradise in the heart of the city. This is also known as the longest zip-line in Mindanao and in Asia as well with a length of 1.3 kilometers.
Bood Promontory Eco Park This historic hill is believed to have been the site where Magellan and his men celebrated the first Catholic Mass on Philippine soil and erected a cross when he landed in Mazaua on March 31, 1521. The highest elevation nearest to the seaside village of present day Masao, Bood is a wooded area located at a bend in the Masao River (El Rio de Butuan), overlooking Butuan Bay and ancient Butuan as well as the serpentine Masao River. Today, the indigenous Hadlayati tree still abound lording over a clonal nursery and tree park, amidst fishponds and archaeological treasures. According to the chronicles of Spanish historian Pigafetta, this event took place in the afternoon of March 31, 1521 after the Easter Mass was celebrated in the morning of the same date. Two Butuanon brother kings attended these Easter ceremonies. Pigafetta also noted the surrounding fields and balanghai boats on the bay that could be seen from the hill. The eco-park was established to provide the people of Butuan and its visitors a place to rekindle the past amidst a relaxing natural setting.
Major Shopping Malls and Commercial Centers[edit]
- Asialink Central Mall - Exequiel V. Montilla Blvd. corner Jose C. Aquino Sr. Ave.
- Butuan City Government Center and Commercial Complex (Proposed - under PPP) - Old Sports Complex, Brgy. Libertad
- Gaisano Butuan - Jorge Rosales Ave. corner Jose C. Aquino Sr. Ave., Brgy. Imadejas
- PS Arcade - Jorge Rosales Ave.
- Puregold Priceclub (Proposed) - Former Mancao Supermarket, Marcos Calo Ext. corner San Jose St.
- Robinsons Place Butuan (Opens December 2013) - Jose C. Aquino Sr. Ave., Brgy. Bayanihan
- Samping Avenue - Jose C. Aquino Sr. Ave., Brgy. Bayanihan
- SM City Butuan (Proposed) - Jose C. Aquino Sr. Ave., Brgy. 9 Lapu-Lapu
- SM Savemore Market (Rumored) - Langihan Road
- Unicity - Exequiel V. Montilla Blvd. cor. J. Azote St.
- Unitop General Merchandise - J. Azote St. corner San Francisco St.
Sister Cities[edit]
Local Sisterhood Pact on Cities and Municipalities:
Baguio City, Philippines (since 16 May 2011 via SP Res. No. 403-2011)- Cebu City, Philippines (since 27 June 2011 via SP Res. No. 493-2011)
- Iligan City, Philippines (since 8 August 2011 via SP Res. No. 538-2011)
- Lapu-Lapu, Philippines (since 27 June 2011 via SP Res. No. 493-A-2011)
- Makati, Philippines (since 13 June 2011 via SP Res. No. 419-2011)
- Maragusan, Compostela Valley, Philippines (since 18 July 2011 via SP Res. No. 527-2011)
International Sisterhood Pact on Cities and Municipalities:
Adelaide, Australia (since 5 September 2011 via SP Res. No. 624-2011)
Itakura, Gunma, Japan (since 8 November 2011 via SP Res. No. 713-2011)- Kasai, Hyōgo, Japan (since 8 November 2011 via SP Res. No. 715-2011)
- Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan (since 8 November 2011 via SP Res. No. 714-2011)
Pending or awaiting confirmation:
- Bacolod City, Philippines
- Bayugan City, Philippines
- Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
- General Santos City, Philippines
- Digos City, Philippines
- Legazpi City, Philippines
- Mandaue City, Philippines
- Ozamiz City, Philippines
- Tagum City, Philippines
- Puerto Princessa, Philippines
- Zamboanga City, Philippines
- Dipolog City, Philippines
- Davao City, Philippines
- Malaybalay City, Philippines
- Gingoog City, Philippines
- Koronadal City, Philippines
- Kidapawan City, Philippines
- Tandag City, Philippines
- Dapitan City, Philippines
- Ozamis City, Philippines
- Surigao City, Philippines
- Pagadian City, Philippines
- El Salvador City, Philippines
Sabrosa, Portugal
Valencia, Spain
References[edit]
- ^ a b 2010 Census of population: Caraga region, Philippine Government: National Statistics Office, retrieved 2012-03-30
- ^ "A general act for the organization of municipal governments in the Philippine Islands". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
- ^ "R.A. No. 522, Butuan City Charter". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
External links[edit]
- Butuan City Government Website
- Statistics for Butuan at the Philippines National Statistical Coordination Board website
See also[edit]
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Buenavista / Butuan Bay | Butuan Bay / Magallanes / Remedios T. Romualdez | Sibagat | |
| Buenavista |  |
Sibagat | ||
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| Las Nieves / Buenavista | Las Nieves / Sibagat | Sibagat |
