About Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape

Mt. Matutum is a non-active volcano that stands as an imposing Landmark in south-central Mindanao, Philippines. It straddles three municipalities of South Cotabato (Polomolok, Tupi, Tampakan) and one municipality of Sarangani Province (Malungon). It has a total area of 13,947 hectares and a maximum elevation of 2,286 meters above sea level (masl), with montane-type forest stands. It is home to our indigenous brothers and sisters dominated by the Blaan tribe. The name "Matutum" is believed to have come from the Blaan term "Amyak Maleh" which means "climb" and "plant”.

Mt. Matutum also holds a rich and diverse faunal and floral biodiversity. The most recent research undertaken in Mt. Matutum was in 2013 where a group of researchers from MSUGS conducted an extensive assessment of its biodiversity. It has documented globally threatened species, endemic species known only in the Philippines and only in Mindanao, as well as newly recorded species in the mountain.

Mt. Matutum is also known to contain watersheds that support the water requirements of the surrounding communities, South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and General Santos City for domestic use, agriculture, industry and commercial activities.
Recognizing the vital role of Mt. Matutum, Presidential Proclamation No. 552 was issued on March 20, 1995, declaring the mountain as a Protected Landscape. This calls for the protection and conservation of its biological resources while pushing for sustainable development to address the social and economic needs of the local communities in the area without causing an adverse impact on the environment. The act further prohibits the conduct of activities within the area that would disturb or destroy the resources therein. Furthermore, the MMPL has been identified as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) making it globally significant for biodiversity conservation.

As such, a Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) oversees its protection and management according to an approved management and is implemented by the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) along with the policies and directives issued by the PAMB. The management plan includes key strategies and activities that is further strengthened by the involvement of stakeholders and indigenous communities in MMPL.

True to its mission of uplifting the living conditions of the marginalized communities through instruction, research, and extension/community services, MSUGS has since considered the MMPL as an area of interest when it comes to biodiversity conservation and community development. This book is an effort towards the realization of that mission, preserving a prominent indigenous knowledge that would hopefully initiate research and extension undertakings to improve the lives of our indigenous brothers and sisters.