Located at the Northeastern part of Agusan Valley sprawling accross the Agusan River is BUTUAN City, known for its colorful history and culture. Butuan is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Others opined, it came from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled Butuan. Scholars believed, it came from the word "But-an", which means a person whoa has a sound and discerning position. 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 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 have already established trading relations with the kingdom of Champa which 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 balanghays (The Butuan Boat) and other archaeological finds in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old EL RJO de BUTUAN and MASAO River.

Welcome to a city that has seen over 1,682 years of recorded history! The original site of the First Easter Mass in Philippine Soil. Here, the present nurtures tha past and vice versa. While the future waits promisingly in the wings. Butuan Beckons - COME!!!

FAST FACTS:

LOCATION :Located at the Northeastern part of Mindanao and the Regional Capital of Caraga Region 13. AREA : 81,728 hectares. POPULATION : 267,279 DIALECT : Multi-lingual predominantly Butuanon, Cebuano and English. CLIMATE : Dry Season - March to September Wet Season - October to February TEMPERATURE : 66F Minimum / 85F Maximum lighweight clothing is recommended. BUSINESS HOURS : Banking - Monday to Friday: 9am to 3pm with no noon break. Shops - open daily from 8am to 7pm Offices - Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Butuan City is the seat of government and serves as the trading center of the region. It's strategic location makes it the natural gateway to the different parts of the country. It is home of the "Balanghais" or "Butuan Boats", the famous pre-historic native boat in Southeast asia.

The Place is one hour and 45 minutes from Manila and 55 minutes ride from Cebu by plane.

By sea, the city is 36 hours and 12 hours from Manila and Cebu respectively.

Butuan City is strategically located at the center of the Caraga Administrative Region. This makes the City the natural growth center of the area and affirms its role as an idustrial center in agri-aqua-forestry processing of the Agusan River Basin by the year 2000.

With this vision, officials of the Butuan City Government are encouraging preffered investments into this fast-growing center of the Northeastern Mindanao Region.

Investors who decide to do business in Butuan City, by either putting-up a new enterprise, expanding or diversifying existing business, can now expect to enjoy local Tax Holiday Incentives or Tax Exemption Priviledges, under SP Ordinance 2075-96.