View source for Butuan

{{Short description|Highly urbanized city in Agusan del Norte, Philippines}}
{{For|the historical polity|Butuan (historical polity)}}
{{distinguish|Bhutan|Batuan (disambiguation){{!}}Batuan|Buluan}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
<!-- Infobox begins -->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = {{PH wikidata|name}}
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  | image1                   = 
MacapagalBridge2.jpg
  | alt1                     = Macapagal Bridge
  | caption1                 = [[Macapagal Bridge]] and [[Agusan River]]
  | image2                   = Guingona Park Butuan (JC Aquino Avenue, Butuan, Agusan Del Norte; 08-23-2023).jpg
  | alt2                     = Guingona Park
  | caption2                 = Guingona Park
  | image3                   = 
Adlaw Hong Butuan SM.jpg
  | alt3                     = Agusan Bridge
  | caption3                 = SM Butuan
  | image4                   = 
BUTUAN CITY HALL NIGHT.jpg
  | alt4                     = City Hall
  | caption4                 = City Hall
  | image5                   = FSUU Main Building -973940755.jpg
  | alt5                     = FSUU
  | caption5                 = [[Father Saturnino Urios University|FSUU Main Campus]]
  | image6                   = POLYSPORTS PISAY CRC.jpg
  | alt6                     = Butuan Polysports and PISAY CRC
  | caption6                 = [[Butuan Polysports Complex]] (bottom) and [[Philippine Science High School Caraga Region Campus|PISAY Caraga]] (top)
}}
| image_flag         = Butuancityflag.jpg
| flag_size          = 110px
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| subdivision_name   = [[Philippines]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of the Philippines|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Agusan del Norte]] <small>(geographically only)</small>
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| nicknames          = {{Plainlist|
* ''Home of the Balangays''<ref>{{cite web |title=House Bill No. 974 |url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00974.pdf |website=House of Representatives of the Philippines |access-date=April 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011131826/http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB00974.pdf |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |date=November 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="CESBoardGovPH">{{cite news |title=CESB CONCLUDES FIRST PAGLAUM WORKSHOP IN MINDANAO |url=http://www.cesboard.gov.ph/paglaum_mindanao.php |access-date=April 19, 2019 |work=Career Executive Service Board |date=June 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419143247/http://www.cesboard.gov.ph/paglaum_mindanao.php |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |quote=The Career Executive Service Board, in partnership with the Association of CARAGA Executives (ACE), brought the Project Paglaum to Butuan City, the home of the Balangays.}}</ref>
* ''Timber City of the South''<ref name="ManilaStandard-JrNBA">{{cite news |title=JrNBA starts nationwide sweep with basketball clinic in Butuan |url=http://manilastandard.net/sports/198687/jrnba-starts-nationwide-sweep-with-basketball-clinic-in-butuan.html |access-date=April 19, 2019 |work=Manila Standard|date=February 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419143920/http://manilastandard.net/sports/198687/jrnba-starts-nationwide-sweep-with-basketball-clinic-in-butuan.html |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |language=en |quote=Butuan came to national prominence during the late 1940s to the 1970s as the "Timber City of the South" because of its booming logging industry.}}</ref>
*''BXU''
}}
| motto              = 
| anthem             = 
| subdivision_type3  = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#District representation|District]]
| subdivision_name3  = {{PH legislative district}}
| established_title  = [[Date of establishment|Founded]]
| established_date   = January 31, 1901
| established_title2 = Cityhood
| established_date2  = August 2, 1950
| established_title3 = Highly urbanized city
| established_date3  = February 7, 1995
| parts_type         = [[Barangay]]s
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = {{PH barangay count | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }}  (see [[#Barangays|Barangays]])<ref name="barangay">{{cite web|url=http://www.butuan.gov.ph/home/about-butuan/barangays.html |title=Brgy |publisher=Butuan.gov.ph |access-date=January 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110183416/http://www.butuan.gov.ph/home/about-butuan/barangays.html |archive-date=January 10, 2014 }}</ref>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Lawrence Fortun|Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun]] ([[Nacionalista Party|NP]])
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = [[One Butuan|Reynante B. Desiata]]
| leader_title2      = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#Current composition|Representative]] <!--congressman or congresswoman -->
| leader_name2       = [[Jose S. Aquino II]] ([[Lakas-CMD|Lakas]])
| leader_title3      = [[Sangguniang Panlungsod|City Council]]
| leader_name3       = {{PH Town Council
 | 1 = <div style="border-style:solid none;border-width:thin;border-color:Gainsboro;background-color:#e6e6e6;text-align:center;width:95%;font-variant:small-caps;"></div>
 | 2=Glenn C. Carampatana
 | 3=Ferdinand E. Nalcot
 | 4=Derrick A. Plaza
 | 5=Cromwell P. Nortega
 | 6=Rema E. Burdeos
 | 7=Ehrnest John C. Sanchez
 | 8=John Gil S. Unay Sr.
 | 9=Joseph Omar O. Andaya
 | 10=Cherry May G. Busa
 | 11=Vincent Rizal C. Rosario
}}
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| population_demonym = Butuanon
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| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PST]]
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| website            = {{PH wikidata|website}}
| demographics_type1 = Economy
| demographics1_title1 = [[Gross domestic product]]
| demographics1_info1 = ₱57.370 billion (2022)<ref name="gdpcaraga2022">{{Cite web|title=Province of Surigao del Norte Accounts for Almost One-Fourth of Caraga's Economy in 2022; City of Butuan Posts the Fastest Growth of 9.5 Percent|url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/province-surigao-del-norte-accounts-almost-one-fourth-caragas-economy-2022-city-butuan|access-date=2024-01-28|website=[[Philippine Statistics Authority]]}}</ref><br/>
$1.014 billion (2022)<ref name="imfdec2022phptousd">{{Cite web|title=PH₱56.598 per dollar (per International Monetary Fund on Representative Exchange Rates for Selected Currencies for December 2022)|url=https://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_mth.aspx?SelectDate=2022-12-31&reportType=REP|access-date=2023-12-09|website=[[IMF]]}}</ref>
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}}

'''Butuan''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˌ|b|uː|t|ˈ|w|ɑː|n}}), officially the '''City of Butuan''' ({{langx|ceb|Dakbayan sa Butuan}}; [[Butuanon language|Butuanon]]: ''Dakbayan hong Butuan''; {{langx|fil|Lungsod ng Butuan}}), is a  [[Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification|highly urbanized city]] and the regional center of [[Caraga]], [[Philippines]]. It is the ''[[de facto]]'' capital of the province of Agusan del Norte where it is geographically situated but has an administratively independent government.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=March 3, 2016|title=Republic Act No. 8811; An Act Transferring the Capital and Seat of Government of the Province of Agusan del Norte from Butuan City to the Municipality of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_11/RA08811.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213103/http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_11/RA08811.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2016|access-date=December 4, 2015|website=Congress of the Philippines (official website)}}</ref> According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 372,910 people making it the most populous city in Caraga Region.{{PH census|current}}

It served as the former capital of the [[Butuan (historical state)|Rajahnate of Butuan]] before 1001 until about 1521. The city used to be known during that time as the best in gold and boat manufacturing in the entire Philippine archipelago, having traded with places as far as Champa, Ming, Srivijaya, Majapahit, and the Bengali coasts. It is located at the northeastern part of the 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]].

Butuan was the capital of the province of [[Agusan del Norte]] until 2000, when Republic Act 8811 transferred the capital to [[Cabadbaran]]. For statistical and geographical purposes by the [[Philippine Statistics Authority]], Butuan is grouped with Agusan del Norte but governed administratively independent from the province while legislatively administered by the province's 1st congressional district and also the most populous city in the province. However, the provincial government still holds office in Butuan, since the actual transfer of provincial offices to the new capital is still pending.<ref name=":0" />

==Etymology==
The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit locally called ''[[garcinia morella|batuan]]''. Other etymological sources say that it comes from a certain Datu Buntuan, a chieftain who once ruled over areas of the present-day city.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diocese of Butuan |url=https://www.ucanews.com/directory/dioceses/philippines-butuan/399 |publisher=Union of Catholic Asian News |website=UCANews.com |access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref>

According to Datu Makalipay, Butuan was named after the wife of Datu Balansag who was the ''tiniente de barangay'' of the area before.

==History==

===Old Butuan===
{{Main|Butuan (historical polity)}}
[[File:Butuan 1521.png|left|thumb|Map of Old Butuan in 1521.]]
[[File:Butuan Ivory Seal.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Butuan Ivory Seal]], housed and displayed at the [[National Museum of the Philippines]].]]
[[File:The Balanghay.jpg|thumb|left|A replica of the [[balangay]] displayed in the city.]]

Butuan, during the pre-colonial times, was a precolonial city-state ruled by a rajah, an [[Indianized kingdom]] known for its [[metallurgy|metallurgic industry]] and sophisticated naval technology. Butuan flourished at the 10th and 11th centuries CE, and had an extensive trade network with the [[Champa|Champa civilization]] and the [[Srivijaya|Srivijaya Empire]].<ref name="philippinealmanac.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.philippinealmanac.com/2010/07/528/the-cultural-influences-of-india-china-arabia-and-japan.html |title=The Cultural Influences of India, China, Arabia, and Japan &#124; Philippine Almanac |access-date=February 6, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701082957/http://www.philippinealmanac.com/2010/07/528/the-cultural-influences-of-india-china-arabia-and-japan.html |archive-date=July 1, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2071/ |title=Butuan Archeological Sites |publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=January 2, 2014}}</ref>

By 1001, Butuan had established contact with the [[Song dynasty]] of [[China]]. The ''[[History of Song (Yuan dynasty)|History of Song]]'' recorded the appearance of a Butuan mission at the [[Chinese imperial court]], and the rajahnate was described as a small [[Hinduism|Hindu]] country with a [[Theravada Buddhism|Buddhist]] monarchy, which had a regular trade connection with [[Champa]]. The mission, under a king named "Kiling", asked for equal status in court protocol with the Champa envoy, but ultimately was denied by the imperial court.<ref>{{cite web|title=Timeline of history |url=http://valoable1.webs.com/timelineofhistory.htm |access-date=October 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123061819/http://valoable1.webs.com/timelineofhistory.htm |archive-date=November 23, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[[William Henry Scott (historian)|Scott, William]] ''Prehispanic Source Materials: For the Study of Philippine History'', p. 66</ref> However, under the reign of Sri Bata Shaja, the diplomatic equality was eventually granted to the kingdom, and as a result the diplomatic relations of the two nations reached its peak in the [[Yuan dynasty]].<ref>''Song Shi'' Chapter 7 to 8</ref>

Evidence of these trading links is in the discovery of 11 [[balangay]] boats around Ambangan in [[Barangay]] Libertad, which was described as the only concentration of archaeological, ancient, ocean-going boats in [[Southeast Asia]]. More evidence of the post was the discovery of a village in Libertad that specialized in gold, as well as the discovery of deformed skulls similar to reports in [[Sulawesi]]. Other assorted artifacts have also found by locals and [[treasure hunting|treasure hunters]].

===Colonial period===

On March 31, 1521, an [[Easter|Easter Sunday]], [[Ferdinand Magellan]] ordered a [[Catholic mass|mass]] to be celebrated. This was officiated by Friar Pedro Valderrama, the [[Andalusian people|Andalusian]] [[chaplain]] of the fleet, the only priest then. Another priest, the French Bernard Calmette (Bernardo Calmeta) had been [[marooning|marooned]] at [[Patagonia]] with Juan de Cartagena for being implicated in the mutiny at [[Puerto San Julián]]. Conducted near the shores of the island, the ''Holy First Mass'' marked the birth of [[Roman Catholicism in the Philippines]]. [[Rajah]] Colambu and Siagu were said to be among the first natives of the soon-to-be [[Spanish East Indies|Spanish colony]] to attend the mass among other Mazaua inhabitants, together with visitors from Butuan who came with the entourage of Siagu, king of Butuan.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}

Controversy has been generated regarding the holding of the first mass—whether it was held in [[Limasawa]], [[Leyte]] or in Masao, Butuan, in the hidden isle made up of [[barangays]] Pinamanculan and Bancasi inside Butuan—in the latest discovered site in the small barangay of Barobo, situated near between [[Agusan del Sur]] and [[Surigao del Sur]], 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 Butuan which, 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 City|Surigao]] up to the top edge of [[Zamboanga del Norte]].{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}

[[File:Philippine Island - Mindanao - NARA - 68156136.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Butuan, 1936]]
The first municipal election in Butuan took place in March 1902 in accordance with Public Law No. 82<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lawph.com/statutes/act82-the-municipal-code.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710013233/http://lawph.com/statutes/act82-the-municipal-code.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |title=A general act for the organization of municipal governments in the Philippine Islands |publisher=LawPH.com |access-date=April 9, 2011 }}</ref> which coincided with the American occupation of the place.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}

During the [[Japanese occupation of the Philippines]] in [[World War II]], the Japanese enslaved local girls, teenagers, and young adults into becoming "[[comfort women]]", who they routinely gang-raped and murdered in "comfort stations" that they established in the city in 1942.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/29/939811000/philippine-survivor-recounts-her-struggle-as-a-comfort-woman-for-wartime-japan|title=Philippine Survivor Recounts Her Struggle As A 'Comfort Woman' For Wartime Japan|newspaper=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|access-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9IsBB-RVTlQC&dq=comfort+gay+philippines+japan&pg=PR9|title=The Other Empire: Literary Views of Japan from the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia|year=2008|publisher=The University of the Philippines Press|isbn=9789715425629|access-date=15 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.awf.or.jp/e1/philippine-00.html | title=Women made to be Comfort Women - Philippines }}</ref> More than half of Butuan, if not all of it, was burned when [[Philippine resistance against Japan#USAFFE and American sponsored guerrillas|local guerrilla forces]] attacked the enemy garrison on March 12, 1943, in the Battle of Butuan.<ref>Kent Holmes, ''Wendell Fertig and His Guerrilla Forces in the Philippines: Fighting the Japanese Occupation, 1942-1945'' (Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 2015), p. 112.</ref><ref name=Keats>Keats, J., 1963, They Fought Alone, New York:J.B. Lippincott Company</ref>{{rp|318}}<ref name=Childress>Childress, C., 2003, Wendell Fertig's Fictional "Autobiography": A Critical Review of They Fought Alone, Bulletin of the American Historical Collection, Vol. 31, No. 1(23), January 2003</ref>{{rp|7}} On January 17, 1945, guerrillas attacked Japanese troops on the road between [[Cabadbaran]] and Butuan to prevent the Japanese garrison at Butuan from being reinforced. When the guerrillas depleted their ammunition supply, they were forced to retreat.<ref>Holmes, pp. 116-7.</ref> Later in 1945, the [[Commonwealth of the Philippines|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.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}

===Modern era===
{{main|Cities of the Philippines}}
By the late 1940s to the 1970s, Butuan's industry specialized in [[timber]], earning it the nickname "Timber City of the South". The plentiful trees of the area invited many investors and migrants from [[Luzon]] and [[Visayas]] to the city, and inspired then Congressman Marcos M. Calo to file a bill elevating Butuan for cityhood. On August 2, 1950, this was passed, converting Butuan into a [[cities of the Philippines|city]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lawph.com/statutes/ra523-butuan-city-charter.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712043612/http://lawph.com/statutes/ra523-butuan-city-charter.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |title=R.A. No. 522, Butuan City Charter |publisher=LawPH.com |access-date=April 9, 2011 }}</ref>

However, by the early 1980s, the logging industry of the city began to decline, although the city was still an economic haven for many investors. The city's main income by that time frame and until this day depended on small and medium business, and large-scale projects by investors. On February 7, 1995, the city was reclassified from a chartered city to a highly urbanized city. Sixteen days later, on February 23, the region of [[Caraga]] was created by virtue of Republic Act 7901, with Butuan as its regional center, and the provincial capital of [[Agusan del Norte]]. In 2000, Republic Act 8811 formally transferred the capital of Agusan del Norte from Butuan to [[Cabadbaran]]; however most provincial offices are still located in the city.

In 2021, Timber City Academy, a school in Butuan, was ravaged by a fire.

In the summer of 2023, the Agusan Capitol was rocked by a bomb threat, which prevented the governor from entering the city due to threats of a [[New People's Army|rebel]] presence, according to some reports. Later on December of that year, the city was ravaged by a 7.6 magnitude [[December 2023 Mindanao earthquake|earthquake]], which damaged many parts of the city's buildings, such as [[SM City Butuan]], as well as schools and major bridges.

==Geography==
According to the [[Philippine Statistics Authority]], the City of Butuan has a total land area of {{convert|81662|ha}}, which is roughly 4.1% of the total area of the [[Caraga]] region.

Butuan is bordered by the municipalities of [[Magallanes, Agusan del Norte]] and [[Remedios T. Romualdez]] to the north, municipality of [[Sibagat]], [[Agusan del Sur]] to the northeast, east and southeast, municipality of [[Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte]] to the south, municipality of [[Buenavista, Agusan del Norte]] to the west and [[Butuan Bay]] to the northwest.

Butuan is {{convert|29|km}} away from the city of [[Cabadbaran]], the provincial capital of [[Agusan del Norte]], to the north. It is also {{convert|43|km}} away from [[Bayugan]] to the east and {{convert|75|km}} away from [[Gingoog]] to the west.

=== Elevation ===
Butuan is located at {{coord|format=dms}}. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 1.0 meter above [[sea level]] ([[M.a.s.l.]]).

=== Land Use ===
The existing land use of the city consists of the following uses: agriculture areas (397.23&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), forestland (268&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), grass/shrub/pasture land (61.14&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and other uses (90.242&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>). Of the total forestland, 105&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> is production forest areas while 167.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> 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 protection forest on the other hand, is preserved to support and sustain necessary ecological performance. Included in this are the watershed areas in Taguibo, which is the main source of water in the area,

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 Butuan Bay of which two coastal barangays are located. It extends some two kilometers to the sea and joins the Bohol Sea. These are the barangays of Lumbocan and Masao.

===Climate===
Butuan has a [[tropical rainforest climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Af'').

{{Weather box
| location = Butuan, Agusan del Norte (1991–2020, extremes 1980–present)
| metric first = Y
| single line  = Y
| width        = auto
| Jan record high C = 35.4
| Feb record high C = 35.3
| Mar record high C = 35.8
| Apr record high C = 37.8
| May record high C = 38.0
| Jun record high C = 37.6
| Jul record high C = 37.7
| Aug record high C = 36.1
| Sep record high C = 37.2
| Oct record high C = 36.3
| Nov record high C = 36.2
| Dec record high C = 35.2
|year record high C = 38.0
| Jan high C = 30.2
| Feb high C = 30.8
| Mar high C = 31.8
| Apr high C = 33.0
| May high C = 33.7
| Jun high C = 33.2
| Jul high C = 32.7
| Aug high C = 32.9
| Sep high C = 32.9
| Oct high C = 32.6
| Nov high C = 31.7
| Dec high C = 31.1
| year high C = 32.2
| Jan mean C = 26.6
| Feb mean C = 26.9
| Mar mean C = 27.6
| Apr mean C = 28.5
| May mean C = 29.2
| Jun mean C = 28.9
| Jul mean C = 28.5
| Aug mean C = 28.6
| Sep mean C = 28.6
| Oct mean C = 28.4
| Nov mean C = 27.8
| Dec mean C = 27.4
| year mean C = 28.1
| Jan low C = 23.0
| Feb low C = 22.9
| Mar low C = 23.3
| Apr low C = 24.0
| May low C = 24.7
| Jun low C = 24.5
| Jul low C = 24.3
| Aug low C = 24.4
| Sep low C = 24.2
| Oct low C = 24.2
| Nov low C = 23.8
| Dec low C = 23.6
| year low C = 23.9
| Jan record low C = 18.3
| Feb record low C = 17.5
| Mar record low C = 18.5
| Apr record low C = 20.0
| May record low C = 18.0
| Jun record low C = 18.5
| Jul record low C = 17.5
| Aug record low C = 19.0
| Sep record low C = 19.0
| Oct record low C = 20.0
| Nov record low C = 18.5
| Dec record low C = 18.5
|year record low C = 17.5
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 326.4
| Feb rain mm = 234.5
| Mar rain mm = 148.9
| Apr rain mm = 116.9
| May rain mm = 111.4
| Jun rain mm = 174.3
| Jul rain mm = 152.4
| Aug rain mm = 114.4
| Sep rain mm = 126.5
| Oct rain mm = 170.4
| Nov rain mm = 197.8
| Dec rain mm = 251.8
|year rain mm = 2125.7
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan rain days = 18
| Feb rain days = 13
| Mar rain days = 13
| Apr rain days = 10
| May rain days = 11
| Jun rain days = 14
| Jul rain days = 13
| Aug rain days = 10
| Sep rain days = 10
| Oct rain days = 13
| Nov rain days = 15
| Dec rain days = 17
|year rain days = 157
| Jan humidity = 88
| Feb humidity = 85
| Mar humidity = 83
| Apr humidity = 82
| May humidity = 82
| Jun humidity = 83
| Jul humidity = 83
| Aug humidity = 82
| Sep humidity = 82
| Oct humidity = 84
| Nov humidity = 86
| Dec humidity = 87
| year humidity = 84
| source 1 = [[Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration|PAGASA]]<ref name=PAGASAnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = 
| archive-date = 
| url = https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20NORMALS%20(1991-2020)/BUTUAN%20CITY.pdf
| title = Butuan, Agusan del Norte Climatological Normal Values 1991–2020
| publisher = Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
| access-date = May 22, 2022}}</ref><ref name=PAGASAextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220308012519/https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20EXTREMES%20(as%20of%202020)/Butuan.pdf
| archive-date = March 8, 2022
| url = https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20EXTREMES%20(as%20of%202020)/Butuan.pdf
| title = Butuan, Agusan del Norte Climatological Extremes
| publisher = Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
| access-date = May 22, 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{Philippine Census
| align= none
| cols = 3
| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}
| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}
| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}
| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}
| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}
| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}
| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}
| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}
| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}
| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}
| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}
| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}
| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}
| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}
| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}
| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}
| 2025 = 
| 2030 = 
| footnote= Source: [[Philippine Statistics Authority]]{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}} 
}}

With a total population of 372,910 in the 2020 census, Butuan has an average density of 460 persons per km<sup>2</sup>, higher than the regional average density of 130 persons per km<sup>2</sup>.

==Economy==
{{PH poverty incidence}}
[[File:Downtown Butuan City (Original Work).jpg|thumb|right|Downtown Butuan]]

Butuan is the commercial, industrial, and administrative center of the Caraga region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.butuan.gov.ph/home/about-butuan/general-info.html |title=General Information |access-date=August 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730031233/http://www.butuan.gov.ph/home/about-butuan/general-info.html |archive-date=July 30, 2014 }}</ref> It is a strategic trading hub in Northern Mindanao with major roads connecting it to other main cities on the island such as Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Malaybalay, Surigao, and soon, Tandag. It hosts one of the busiest airports in the country, the [[Bancasi Airport]], serving around 525,000 passengers in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.caap.gov.ph/index.php/downloads/viewcategory/13-statistics |title=Downloads - STATISTICS |access-date=April 21, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513073018/http://caap.gov.ph/index.php/downloads/viewcategory/13-statistics |archive-date=May 13, 2016 }}</ref> [[Cebu Pacific]] and [[Philippine Airlines]] serve the airport. Meanwhile, the nearby Nasipit International Port and in-city Masao Port provide for its shipping and cargo needs.

[[File:Robinsons Place Butuan Main Facade, Kahimunan Festival 2018 (Original Work).jpg|thumb|left|Robinsons Butuan]]
The total number of businesses registered in 2013 was 9,619—reflecting a growth of 9.86% and almost 3 times that of the next major Caraga city. New businesses registered numbered 2,032 with a combined capitalization of P504,598,667, an expansion of 75.63% from 2012.

As further proof of its dynamic economy, Butuan's local income reached P330,510,000 in 2013 besting other major cities in the country. By 2014, its local income is expected to reach P513,870,000.00 or register a growth of 55%; and total income (including IRA) will be P1,515,970,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbm.gov.ph/?page_id%3D6690 |title=Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing 2014 &#124; DBM |access-date=August 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115191717/http://www.dbm.gov.ph/?page_id=6690 |archive-date=November 15, 2016 }}</ref> The city was ranked 4th and 16th Most Competitive City for the years 2012 and 2014 by the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines.

More than 260 financial institutions are operating in the city such as [[Metrobank (Philippines)|Metrobank]], [[Banco de Oro]], [[Bank of the Philippine Islands]] (BPI), [[Land Bank of the Philippines]] (Landbank, formerly [[United Coconut Planters Bank|UCPB]] since 2022), [[Philippine National Bank]] (PNB), [[Chinabank]], [[EastWest Bank]], [[Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation]] (RCBC), [[Unionbank (Philippines)|UnionBank]], [[Security Bank]] and [[Maybank]]. Rural banks are also expanding aggressively. Based on a report from [[Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation|PDIC]] (as of December 2013), total savings deposit in Butuan amounted to P18,944,854,000, comprising 45% of the total deposits in Caraga Region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pdic.gov.ph/files/BSDStats/DDD_PBS_ProvinceMunicipality.htm |title=Philippine banking system distribution of domestic a/ deposits |access-date=April 21, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111122638/https://www.pdic.gov.ph/files/BSDStats/DDD_PBS_ProvinceMunicipality.htm |archive-date=November 11, 2016 }}</ref> The [[Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas]] (BSP) opened its regional office here to take advantage of the vibrant gold trading industry in the region. Insurance companies, led by [[Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company|Philam Life]], are also present in the city.

The city's major agricultural produce are rice, bananas, coconuts, poultry, shrimp, and milkfish.  Its key industries include rice milling, food processing, wood processing, furniture, fuel distribution, shipbuilding, and construction. The manufacturing sector will soon get a boost as an industrial park is currently being developed. Butuan has also proven to be a haven for renewable energy with investments in solar and hydroelectric power generation pouring in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m%3D1%26t%3D1%26id%3D56131%26y%3D2011%26mo%3D12 |title=PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines |access-date=August 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030105718/http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=56131&y=2011&mo=12 |archive-date=October 30, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/butuan-attracts-huge-foreign-projects-063645310--finance.html |title=Butuan Attracts Huge Foreign Projects |access-date=August 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812193842/https://ph.news.yahoo.com/butuan-attracts-huge-foreign-projects-063645310--finance.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014 }}</ref>

[[Smart Communications]], [[Globe Telecom]], [[PLDT]] and [[Bayan Telecommunications|Bayantel]] serve the telecommunications needs of the city.

==Culture==

===Festivities and annual celebrations===
{{Travel guide|1=section|date=June 2016}}
[[File:Kahimunan Festival Contingent.jpg|thumb|right|Festival Queen during Kahimunan Festival]]
;Kahimunan Festival: The Kahimunan Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.driftstories.com/kahimunan-festival-2019-experience/|title=A Gathering Under The Rain: Kahimunan Festival 2019|last=Kikoy|first=Herbert|date=January 26, 2019|website=Drift Stories|language=en-US|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> is celebrated every third Sunday of January in celebration of the city patron [[Santo Niño de Cebú|Sr. Santo Niño]]. This celebration is a Butuanon version of [[Sinulog]] of [[Cebu City]]. Kahimunan is a [[Lumad]] term which means "gathering".

;Balangay/Balanghai Festival: Butuan celebrates its annual fiesta, the Balangay Festival, for the celebration of the city patron [[Saint 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.

;Butwaan Festival: The newest festival is a feast day celebration of St. Joseph, patron of Butuan, which is held every May 19. This was created last 2013 as replacement to Balangay Festival during the specific date. Both festivals will still celebrates the feast of St. Joseph with Butwaan focus on the Church activities while Balangay will focus on the city government activities.

;Cultural Festivals: The Cultural festival/tourism consciousness 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.
:*'''''Abayan Festival''''': 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.
:*'''''Palagsing Festival''''': "Palagsing" is a local delicacy popularly made in Banza, one of the old [[poblacion]] of Butuan. 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. 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. The Palagsing Festival usually held on Adlaw Hong Butuan Celebration every 2nd day of August.
:*'''''Adlaw Hong Butuan''''': 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.

[[File:Palagsing_ButuanB.jpg|250px|thumbnail|right|Palagsing]]
:*'''''Unaw Festival''''': Unaw Festival is a celebration of the abundance of Lumbia starch or Unaw from the Lumbia tree that has been used as a source of food during World War II and it was usually found in Brgy. Baan km 3 and its neighbouring barangays. The Unaw Festival usually held every 27th day of June joining the fiesta celebration of Mother of Perpetual Help in Baan km 3.
:*'''''Nilubid Festival and other festivals''''': The Nilubid Festival is a celebration of the Filipino Rural  Culture and heritage. The term "nilubid" is coined from a local delicacy, twisted hard fried flour, which is famous among people of the city and neighboring towns and provinces. The festival highlights the Filipino Folk Dance competition that is dedicated to the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora Sagrada Corazon de Hesus (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). The Nilubid Festival is held every last week of May in Barangay Golden Ribbon, culminating the end of the annual Flores de Mayo.

==Tourism==
{{Travel guide|1=section|date=June 2016}}
;Natural landmarks:
*''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 Santa Ana (Saint Anne) every last Sunday of July in the Abayan festival.
*''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 [[Srivijaya]] period bears much meaning and influence of Butuan's pre-historic and archaeological discoveries.

[[File:Guingona Park Butuan.jpg|thumbnail|Guingona Park]]
[[File:Butuan National Museum (Butuan, Mindanao).jpg|thumbnail|The Butuan National Museum]]
[[File:Golden Tara - panoramio.jpg|thumbnail|Replica statue of the [[Golden Tara]]]]
;Man-made landmarks:
*''Ramon Magsaysay Bridge'': The old Magsaysay Bridge in Butuan, an arched-type steel bridge built during the early sixties spans the mighty Agusan River. For years this bridge serve as a lone vital conduit of the city to the rest of Mindanao island until its new more modern pair came at the city's southern side. The bridge links the main urban center to eastern suburbs of Baan and Ampayon.<ref>{{cite news|title=Magsaysay Bridge |url=http://butuantoday.tumblr.com/post/96492783/butuan-city-of-bridges |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407121154/http://butuantoday.tumblr.com/post/96492783/butuan-city-of-bridges |archive-date=April 7, 2014 }}</ref>
*''Balangay Boats'': The [[Balangay]]s (or Balanghai) are ancient boats that were 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 have become an icon of Butuan. The Kaya ng Pinoy, Inc. recreated the Balangay boats and have sailed it as part of their project, the Balangay Voyage. So far they have only sailed around Southeast Asia. They are planning to sail around the world.
*''Balangay Shrine Museum'': The Balangay Shrine Museum, located in Barangay 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. 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 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.
*''Guingona Park'': Guingona Park is the native name for that park. Changes of government, however, resulted in a change of name to Rizal Park. It was contended that Rizal went there and that they named the park after him. Recently, the government of Butuan headed by Mayor Amante reconstructed the park and put the name back to Guingona, as it was he who donated the said park some decades past.
*''Delta Discovery Park'': Delta Discovery Park is a newly opened [[zip-line]] in Butuan. Delta Discovery Park is at Barangay Bonbon, Butuan. A hidden paradise in the heart of the city, it is also known as the longest zip-line in Mindanao and in Asia 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 the seaside village of present-day Masao, Bood is a wooded area 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 abound, lording over a clonal nursery and tree park, amidst fishponds and archaeological treasures. According to the chronicles of Spanish historian Pigafetta, the 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.

==Government==
{{See also|Butuan City Hall complex}}
[[File:Butuan City Hall (September 25, 2018).jpg|thumb|right|The city hall]]

The local government of Butuan is headed by an elected Mayor and is considered to be the local chief executive of the city. He exercises the general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the city government.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES BOOK III LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS | url=http://www.dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/resources/DILG-Resources-201162-99c00c33f8.pdf |website=www.dilg.gov.ph |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519061901/http://dilg.gov.ph/PDF_File/resources/DILG-Resources-201162-99c00c33f8.pdf |archive-date=May 19, 2012}}</ref> He is then accompanied by the law making body of the city which is called, The [[Sangguniang Panlungsod]] headed by the elected Vice Mayor as the presiding officer, together with ten elected Sangguniang Panlungsod Members and the President of the [[Liga ng mga Barangay]] as an ex-officio member.<ref>{{cite web|website=The LawPhil Project|url=http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1993/nov1993/gr_109455_1993.html |title=G.R. No. 109455 |access-date=July 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724010936/http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1993/nov1993/gr_109455_1993.html |archive-date=July 24, 2015 }}</ref>

===Elected Officials (2022-2025)===
{{see also|Agusan del Norte's 1st congressional district|Legislative district of Butuan|Mayor of Butuan|List of Butuan city officials}}

====[[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]]====
* Representative: [[Jose Aquino II|Jose "Joboy" Sabijon Aquino II]] - <small>''currently representative City of Butuan and Municipality of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte''</small>

In May 2025, Butuan City will elect a new representative to represent Butuan City only.

====Executive====
* Mayor: Engr. [[Ronnie Vicente Lagnada|Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada]]
* Vice Mayor: Atty. [[Lawrence Fortun|Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun]] - <small>''Presiding Officer of City Council''</small>

====City Council====
* 16th [[Sangguniang Panlungsod]] Members: <small>''(As per Election Ranking)''</small>
** Joseph Omar O. Andaya
** Cromwell P. Nortega
** Reynante B. Desiata
** Atty. John Gil Unay, Sr.
** Cherry May Busa
** Atty. Ehrnest John C. Sanchez
** Vincent Rizal C. Rosario - <small>Term not finished, elected for Barangay Chairperson</small>
** Victor Vicente G. Plaza
** Dr. Eduardo S. Gonzalez
** Arturo P. Gado
** Gemma P. Tabada - <small>Liga ng mga Barangay President</small><ref name="barangay"/>
** Joseph Manuel Morcilla - <small>SK Federation President</small>

====Barangay Council====
* Liga ng mga Barangay (ABC) President: Gemma Plaza Tabada (Barangay Baan Km. 3)<ref name="barangay"/>
* SK Federation President: Joseph Manuel Morcilla (Ampayon)

=== Barangays and districts ===
Butuan is politically subdivided into 86 [[barangay]]s. Each barangay consists of [[purok]]s  while some have [[sitios]].

These barangays are further grouped into 13 districts.<ref>Butuan City District and Barangays [http://butuan.gov.ph/page/district-and-barangay "Butuan City District and Barangays"]</ref> Also, barangays 1 thru 26 form the [[Poblacion]] (city proper) of Butuan.

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;background-color:white;text-align:center;"
|- style="white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:top;" 
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | District
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | Barangay
! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | Population{{thinsp}}{{small|(2020)<ref>2020 Census of Population and Housing [https://psa.gov.ph/content/2020-census-population-and-housing-2020-cph-population-counts-declared-official-president "Download Attachment entitled 'Caraga'"]</ref>}}
|-
! 1st
| {{hlist | Agao<small> (Bgy 3)</small> | Datu Silongan<small> (Bgy 5)</small> | Diego Silang<small> (Bgy 6)</small> | Humabon<small> (Bgy 11)</small> | Leon Kilat<small> (Bgy 13)</small> |<br />San Ignacio<small> (Bgy 15)</small> | Sikatuna<small> (Bgy 10)</small> | Rajah Soliman<small> (Bgy 4)</small> | Urduja<small> (Bgy 9)</small> }}
| 4,697
|-
! 2nd
| {{hlist | Dagohoy<small> (Bgy 7)</small> | Golden Ribbon<small> (Bgy 2)</small> | Imadejas<small> (Bgy 24)</small> | JP Rizal<small> (Bgy 25)</small> | Lapu-Lapu<small> (Bgy 8)</small> | New Society Vil.<small> (Bgy 26)</small> }}
| 15,302
|-
! 3rd
| {{hlist | Holy Redeemer<small> (Bgy 23)</small> | Limaha<small> (Bgy 14)</small> | Tandang Sora<small> (Bgy 12)</small> }}
| 18,316
|-
! 4th
| {{hlist | Ambago | Bayanihan<small> (Bgy 27)</small> | Doongan | Manila de Bugabus }}
| 36,837
|-
! 5th
| {{hlist | Agusan Pequeño | Babag | Bading<small> (Bgy 22)</small> | Fort Poyohon<small> (Bgy 17)</small> | Lumbocan | Obrero<small> (Bgy 18)</small> | Ong Yiu<small> (Bgy 16)</small> | Pagatpatan }}
| 45,154
|-
! 6th
| {{hlist | Bancasi | Dumalagan | Libertad | Masao | Pinamanculan }}
| 38,957
|-
! 7th
| {{hlist | Bonbon | Kinamlutan | Maon<small> (Bgy 1)</small> | Pangabugan | San Vicente | Villa Kananga }}
| 51,585
|-
! 8th
| {{hlist | Amparo | Bit-os | Bitan-agan | Dankias | Dulag | Bugabus (MJ Santos) | Nongnong | San Mateo | Tungao }}
| 22,608
|-
! 9th
| {{hlist | Bilay | Don Francisco | Florida | Maguinda | Maibu | Mandamo | Sumile }}
| 13,842
|-
! 10th
| {{hlist | Aupagan | Buhangin<small> (Bgy 19)</small> | Camayahan | Lemon | Mahay | Pigdaulan | Salvacion | Tagabaca }}
| 23,342
|-
! 11th
| {{hlist | Baan Km 3 | Baan Riverside<small> (Bgy 20)</small> | Banza | Bobon | Cabcabon | Mahogany<small> (Bgy 21)</small> | Maug | Tiniwisan }}
| 42,970
|-
! 12th
| {{hlist | Ampayon | Antongalon | Basag | Bugsukan | De Oro | Taligaman }}
| 30,628
|-
! 13th
| {{hlist | Anticala | Baobaoan | Los Angeles | Pianing | Santo Niño | Sumilihon | Taguibo }}
| 28,672
|}

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===

====Air====
The Butuan National Airport, called [[Bancasi Airport]], serves the general area of Butuan, located in the province of Agusan del Norte in the Philippines. It is the only airport in the province and largest in the Caraga region. The airport is classified as a trunkline airport, or a major commercial airport, by the Air Transportation Office, a body of the Department of Transportation and Communications that is responsible for the operations of not only this airport but also of all other airports in the Philippines except the major international airports. It also serves more than 400,000 travelers yearly that includes 250,000 local and foreign tourists. Butuan National Airport can also accommodate 5 to 10 flights a day including large number of aircraft via [[Cebu Pacific]] and [[Philippine Airlines]] operated by [[PAL Express]].

====Sea====
As a regional commercial and economic hub, the Port of Masao is Butuan's seaport. It was built to avoid having the city depend on the port of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. The said port will be having more expansion and development to become a seaport with international standards in the region and in Mindanao.

====Land====
[[File:Butuan terminal.jpg|thumbnail|Butuan bus terminal]]
The main modes of transportation within the city proper are tricycles with 3 distinctive colours. The first and main tricycle is the "orange" tricycle in which it delivers passengers in the majority of butuan. The second is the "red" tricycle where it delivers passengers in the north, northeast and northwest of Butuan. The third is the "yellow" tricycle where it delivers passengers in the south, southwest and some parts in the southeast and its also the variant with the least amount of tricycles. Depending on the tricycle, it can accommodate up to 6 or 7 passengers. Another mode of transportation is the small-type [[jeepney]]s or multicab vehicles with a seating capacity of at least 15 passengers via fixed routes going to big barangays such as Bancasi, Libertad, Ampayon, Los Angeles and De Oro. Jeepneys, Vans and Buses is also available in Jeepney Terminal, New Integrated Van Terminal and City Integrated Bus Terminal respectively located in Langihan Public Area including the state-of-the-art Transport Terminal at the back of the expansion wing of [[Robinsons Butuan]] (opened August 2, 2017). They also follow fixed routes to outlying barangays, neighboring towns, municipals, cities and provinces. Long-distance routes also include cities of [[Manila]], [[Ormoc]], [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi]], [[Tacloban]], [[Calbayog]], [[Surigao City|Surigao]], [[Tandag]], [[Bislig|Bislig (Mangagoy)]], [[Davao City]], [[Tagum]], [[Cagayan de Oro]], [[Carmen, Agusan del Norte|Carmen]], [[Balingoan]], [[Gingoog]] and [[Malaybalay]] (not operational). The city also has Metered Taxis.

[[File:MacapagalBridge.jpg|thumb|The [[Macapagal Bridge]]]]
* Mayor Democrito O. Plaza II Avenue Circumferential Road and Diosdado Macapagal Bridge: The circumferential is a {{Convert|14|km}} diversion road from Barangay Bancasi to the southern part of the city proper crossing over the PP2.1 Billion Diosdado [[Macapagal Bridge]] to the main highway in Baan Km.3 and in Barangay Antongalon. The Diosdado Macapagal Bridge is the longest bridge in Mindanao, which is {{Convert|300|m}} upstream of the old Magsaysay Bridge and provides an alternate route across the [[Agusan River]] to connect the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway (Surigao-Agusan-Davao road) and the Butuan-Cagayan-Iligan road. The bridge is popular as the only cable stayed bridge with steel deck and single tower in Mindanao, and it has a total length of about {{convert|806|m}}.

:It was during the presidency of Joseph Estrada that the project was approved which was lobbied by the city government way back President Fidel Ramos' time to decongest the traffic of the more than 50-year-old Magsaysay Bridge and create an alternate route. However, it was President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who approved and implemented the project. The bridge was funded through a Special Yen Loan Package from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The project was started on May 6, 2004 and completed in May 2007.

* New Circumferential Road and Four New Bridges (Proposed): The new circumferential road consists of {{Convert|20|km}} 2-lane road and four new bridges that connects Barangay Sumilihon to Brgy Banza which crosses 2 small rivers (Taguibo and Banza) before crossing to the Third Bridge in Agusan River and connects to Barangay Pagatpatan to Barangay Lumbocan then crosses again in Masao River to reach Barangay Masao and Barangay Pinamanculan before connecting to the National Highway in Barangay Bancasi. The proposed circumferential road will be worth closed to PP2.9 Billion.
* Butuan-Malaybalay Road: The secondary road, known as the Butuan-Malaybalay Road, is scheduled to complete in the future connecting Butuan to [[Malaybalay]] via [[Esperanza, Agusan del Sur]] but this could be a private transport.
* Masao-Buenavista-Nasipit Coastal Road: The new coastal road (Masao-Buenavista-Nasipit) is scheduled to complete since it started construction in early 2015 until its completion by late 2023 (continued until 2027–2028) consisting of concrete road. It connects Brgy. Masao to the municipality of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
Accredited Transport Cooperatives as of January 2021:<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2021 |title=Accredited Transport Cooperatives as of January 2021 |url=https://otc.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Accredited-Transport-Cooperatives-Jan-2021-Web.pdf |website=[[Office of Transportation Cooperatives]]}}</ref>

* Agusan Norte Transport Service Cooperative (ANTSCO)
* Balangay Transport Service Cooperative (BALTRANSCO)
* Butuan Multicab Operators Transport Service Cooperative
* Cabadbaran Butuan Transport Service Cooperative (CBTRANSCO)
* Caraga Butuan Transport Service Cooperative
* Caraga Transport Service Cooperative
* Diamond Transport Service Cooperative (DATSCO)
* Karagans Transport Service Cooperative

==Sports==
With new developments surrounding the old unfinished sports complex facility, the City Government has transferred the sports complex from the 8 hectare complex in Barangay Libertad to the [[Butuan Polysports Complex|38 hectare complex in Barangay Tiniwisan/Ampayon]]. The said complex is worth P250 Million for Phase I will be one of the biggest international standard complex in the Philippines. Phase I consists of a 3,672 seater football main bleacher, a 4,000 seater basketball gymnasium, grass football field, and a rubberized track oval. The Phase I of the Polysports Complex was officially opened in 2015. Phase II will consist of a 2nd main bleacher, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a baseball/softball field with bleachers, but it was unfinished and under investigated by COA. The said Butuan City Convention Center will be constructed starting on March 24, 2020, and located at the old unfinished sports complex in Libertad, although it remained unfinished for its completion by the next decade.

==Education==
Being the regional center of [[Caraga]], Butuan is also the region's center of education. There are two universities in the city. The first, [[Fr. Saturnino Urios University|Father Saturnino Urios University]], a privately run school founded by Rev. Fr. Urios, S.J. in 1901. The second, the [[Caraga State University|Caraga State University— Main Campus]], formerly known as the Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology, is a state-run school founded in 1918. They are among the top two performing universities in the region.

Butuan is known for its education competence. Proof of these are in awards earned.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} Teachers and school staff of the Butuan Central Elementary School, Butuan City SPED Center and Agusan National High School have large-scale exposure to specialization techniques, as well as seminars and workshops to complement, with partnerships like Philippine-Australia Project on Basic Education (PROBE).

{{multiple image
| caption_align     = center
| header_align      = center
| width             = 200
| image1            = FSUU Gym, May 4, 2017 (Original Work).jpg
| alt1              = 
| image2            = SJIT MAIN ANNEX.jpg
| alt2              = 
| footer            = The newly renovated [[Father Saturnino Urios University|Urios Gym]] (left) and Saint Joseph Institute of Technology Main Campus (right).
}}

[[Education in the Philippines#Secondary education|National high school]]s include the Agusan NHS, Tungao NHS, San Vicente NHS, Libertad NHS and Ampayon ISS (Integrated Secondary School). The city is also home of the Butuan City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT), a government-run specialization school in the fields of arts and in vocational courses which offers junior and senior high school.

As an education hub, Butuan has colleges with a variety of courses. Examples are the Saint Joseph Institute of Technology, Agusan Colleges, Inc., [[AMA Computer Learning Center|ACLC College of Butuan]], Butuan Doctors' College, Asian College Foundation, Butuan City Colleges Inc., [[BIT International College|Balite Institute of Technology—Butuan]], Father Urios Institute of Technology of Ampayon, Inc., Holy Child Colleges of Butuan, Elisa R. Ochoa Memorial Northern Mindanao School of Midwifery, Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology, Colegio de Caraga Inc. (former Agusan Institute of Technology), Saint Peter College Seminary, Corjesu Computer College, Agusan Business and Arts Foundation, and the Sunrise Christian College Foundation of the Philippines.

Big private universities like the [[Society of Jesus|Ateneo]], [[De La Salle Philippines]] and [[Iglesia ni Cristo]]-owned [[New Era University]] (NEU) had also expressed to put up local branches.

Other notable schools include Timber City Academy (Butuan Chinese School), Enfant Cheri Study Centre, Rainbow of Angels Learning Center, Solid Rock Shilo Mission Academy, Ampayon Central Elementary School, Angelicum Montessori School, Butuan Grace Christian School, Butuan Christian Community School, Florencio R. Sibayan Central Elementary School, Libertad Central Elementary School, Obrero Elementary School, and the Ong Yiu Central Elementary School.

==Notable personalities==
{{see also|Agusan del Norte#Notable personalities}}
<!-- Only include people with WP articles as per [[WP:Notability (people)]] -->
*[[Allan Amoguis]]:  Italian Catholic bishop, prelate of the Christian Patriarchate of East Asia (born 1973)
*[[Susan Fuentes]]: The Queen of Visayan Songs (1954–2013). She popularized the songs like ''Matud Nila, Usahay, Miss Kita Kung Christmas'' and ''Rosas Pandan.''
*[[Laurice Guillen]]: Award-winning film director and actress, also the wife of the actor [[Johnny Delgado]] (deceased).
*[[Edelmiro A. Amante, Sr.]]: Former Executive Secretary of Pres. [[Fidel V. Ramos]]. Former Representative of Second District and Governor of [[Agusan del Norte]].
*[[Ardy Larong]]: [[Small forward]]/[[shooting guard]] of [[Alaska Aces (PBA)|Alaska Aces]] in the [[Philippine Basketball Association]] (PBA).
*[[Marky Cielo]]: Actor of [[GMA Network]]. He died so young at the age of 20 on December 7, 2008, in [[Antipolo]], [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]]. The cause of his death is still unknown.
*[[Stephany Stefanowitz]]: She represented Butuan in the [[Miss Philippines Earth 2010]]. In 2012, she joined Miss Philippines Earth and won the title as [[Miss Philippines Earth 2012]] but she represented [[Quezon City]]. She grabbed the title as 1st runner-up in the [[Miss Earth 2012]] pageant held in the country. Her mother is from Barangay Ampayon, Butuan and her father is from [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]].
*[[Hernando Iriberri|General Hernando DCA Iriberri]]: The former [[Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines]] from 2015 to 2016. He is not from Butuan but an alumnus of [[Fr. Saturnino Urios University]] High School department.
*[[Jason Dy|Jason James Dy]]: The grand champion of [[the Voice of the Philippines]] Season 2.
*[[Roy Señeres]]: Presidential candidate of 2016 National and Local elections. He was the representative of the OFW Club Partylist from 2013 to 2016. He was also the ambassador to the United Arab Emirates during [[Fidel Ramos]] administration.
*[[Lance Busa]]: The grand winner of the first edition of [[Michael Bolton]]'s singing competition "Bolt of Talent".
*[[Elaine Duran|Elaine Colima Duran]]: The grand winner of the [[Tawag ng Tanghalan (season 3)|third season of Tawag ng Tanghalan]].
*[[Debold Sinas|Police General Debold Menorias Sinas]]: The 23rd [[Chief of the Philippine National Police]] and Undersecretary of the [[Office of the President of the Philippines]].

==Sister cities==
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2017}}

===Local Sisterhood Pact===
* [[Baguio]] <small>''(since May 16, 2011, via SP Res. No. 403-2011)''</small>
* [[Cebu City]] <small>''(since June 27, 2011, via SP Res. No. 493-2011)''</small> and [[Lapu-Lapu, Philippines|Lapu-Lapu]] <small>''(since June 27, 2011, via SP Res. No. 493-A-2011)''</small>
* [[Iligan]] <small>''(since August 8, 2011, via SP Res. No. 538-2011)''</small>
* [[Malaybalay]]
* [[Pagadian]]
* [[Bayugan]]
* [[Makati]] <small>''(since June 13, 2011, via SP Res. No. 419-2011)''</small>
* [[Maragusan]] <small>''(since July 18, 2011, via SP Res. No. 527-2011)''</small>
* [[Dumaguete]] <small>''(since September 2, 2013, via SP Res. No. ___-2013)''</small>

==See also==
{{Portal|Philippines}}
* [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Butuan]]
* [[List of radio stations in Butuan]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Butuan}}
* [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427052250/http://www.butuan.gov.ph/ Butuan government website]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Butuan
|North     = [[Magallanes, Agusan del Norte|Magallanes]] / [[Remedios T. Romualdez]]
|East      = [[Sibagat, Agusan del Sur]] <!-- intentional redirect to show adjacent province -->
|Southeast = [[Bayugan, Agusan del Sur]] <!-- intentional redirect to show adjacent province -->
|South     = [[Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte|Las Nieves]]
|West      = [[Buenavista, Agusan del Norte|Buenavista]]
|Northwest = ''[[Butuan Bay]]''
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Articles Related to Butuan
|list  =
{{Agusan del Norte}}
{{Caraga}}
{{Philippine cities}}
{{Philippine Provincial Capitals}}
{{Largest cities and municipalities in Mindanao}}
{{Most populous cities in Philippines}}
{{Metropolitan areas of the Philippines}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Butuan| ]]
[[Category:1901 establishments in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Cities in Agusan del Norte]]
[[Category:Former provincial capitals of the Philippines]]
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[[Category:Populated places established in 1901]]
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