(PNA file photo) MANILA - President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a measure transforming Butuan City in Agusan del Norte province into a single congressional district. Under Republic Act (RA) 11714 inked by Duterte on April 27, Agusan del Norte is reapportioned into the lone legislative district of Butuan City and the legislative district of the province of Agusan del Norte. The legislative district of the province of Agusan del Norte will be composed of the city of Cabadbaran and the municipalities of Las Nieves, Buenavista, Carmen, Jabonga, Kitcharao, Magallanes, Nasipit, Remedios T. Romualdez, Santiago, and Tubay, according to RA 11714. Currently, the First District is composed of Butuan City and the municipality of Las Nieves, while the Second District comprises Cabadbaran City and the rest of the municipalities of the Agusan del Norte. The reapportionment of Agusan del Norte province takes effect in the 2025 national elections. "The incumbent Representatives of the First and Second Legislative Districts of the Province of Agusan del Norte shall continue to represent their respective legislative districts until the expiration of their term of office," RA 11714 read. The law mandates the Commission on Elections to issue the necessary rules and regulations. Butuan City serves as the capital of Agusan del Norte until it was reclassified into a highly urbanized city and became separate and independent of the province in 1985. To date, Cabadbaran City serves as the capital of Agusan del Norte. Palace released a copy of RA 11714 on Wednesday. The law takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA) }