Butuan City General information

BUTUAN CITY GENERAL INFORMATION

LOCATION : Butuan is situated in the northwestern part of the CARAGA Region 13 ,Northeastern part of the Agusan Valley sprawling accross the Agusan River. It 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 the home of "Balanghai's" 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.
DIALECT : Multi-lingual predominantly Butuanon, Cebuano, Tagalog and English .
CLIMATE: Dry- March to September ,Wet - October to February
TEMPERATURE: Minimum 66 ^oF , Maximum 85 ^oF
HOLIDAYS/FESTIVALS :

KAHIMUNAN FESTIVAL *3rd Sunday of January at Barangay Libertad, Butuan City*	A colorful Street Theater Presentation of Brgy.Libertad, Butuan to celebrate the Feast of Sr. Sto. Niño. It is Butuan's counterpart of the Sinulog of Cebu.
FIRST EASTER MASS CELEBRATION *March 31* *Masao /Blood Promontory*	A re-enactment of Magellan's Landing and Planting of the Cross on March 31, 1521 at Mazaua, Butuan signifying the site of the first Easter Mass in the Philippine soil.
BALANGAY FESTIVAL *May 01-31*	It is a month long celebration of the City Fieasta in honor of Patron Saint Joseph highlighted with the Search for Mutya Hong Butuan , Cultural Shows, Street Dancing, Trade Fair, and Sportfest. (May 19 -City Fiesta )
ABAYAN FESTIVAL *Last Sunday of July* *PPA Quadrangle*	A riverside festivity in honor of Saint Anne, Patroness of Agusan River, Highlighted with Baroto Races and indigenous games for men, women and childredn vapped by a Fluvial Parade.
ADLAW HONG BUTUAN *August 02*	The City's Charter day Anniversary Celebration , consequently becoming a highly urbanized city highlighted by a Grand Parade and by the awarding of " Outstanding Butuanons"

WHAT TO WEAR : Lightweight clothing is recommended. Informal clothing is acceptable almost everywhere except when visiting churches or offices. For formal occasions, the traditional barong tagalog is acceptable for men. Bars,restaurants and hotels have no dress code but it is considered improper to wear shorts and slippers.
BUSINESS and BANKING HOURS: Shops are open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. Government agencies and offices, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday. Banking Hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. but several ATM machines strategically located throughout the City open 24 hours a day,seven days a week for your withdrawal/deposits and other banking needs.
CONVENTION FACILITIES: Butuan has hotels with convention facilities which can accomodate between 50 to 2,000 people. These establishments can provide audio-visual equipment upon request and complete with telecommunication facilities like NDD,IDD,FAX,INTERNET,E-MAIL facilities CABLE TV connections.
WATER/POWER : Water is potable. Mineral & distilled bottled water is available in all groceries, drugstores, hotels ,and reestaurants. Electric Power distributed by Local cooperatives (ANECO) generated by NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION.
HOW TO GET THERE

AIR	Butuan has one domestic airport , the Bancasi Airport ,which is located 6.5 kms. from the city proper . Bancasi Airport services two direct flights from Cebu and Manila. PAL flies from Manila every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday while Cebu to Butuan flies daily except Tuesday and Sunday. Flying time is approximately one hour and 45 minutes ride from Manila and 55 minutes ride from Cebu by plane
SEA	Butuan is easily accessible by ship from Manila ,Cebu and Bohol. A trip from Manila takes about 26 hours. Fares vary according to accomodations. William Gothong & Aboitiz Lines Km 2 Libertad,Butuan City Tel#no.(085)-2253-135 /(085)-3425-646 Sulpicio Lines. Bading,Butuan City Tel. no. (085) 3425-790
LAND	Bus company ply the routes from Butuan City to other cities and provinces around the Region and Mindanao and throughout the Philippines (via Surigao). Jeepneys are used in main city streets ,to and from other municipalities and towns of the province and region. Bright colored tricycles are common in Butuan. They go around and even outside the city proper Rent-a-car services are available with rates depending on the type of car used and distance travelled. Cars for rent are available upon request in most hotels and at the airport, but all are not metered, so remember to agree on the fare before boarding. Tri-sikad or Motorized (bicycles with side car) are mode of transporation in some remote barangays and subdivisions. And around the City from 10:00 p.m until around 4:00 a.m.