It is bounded on the North by Kiblawan and Malalag, Davao del Sur;
on the South by General Santos City; on the East by Malungon, Sarangani
and on the West by Banga, Koronadal and T'boli, South Cotabato. The
area is located within Barangays Kinilis, Landan, Maligo and Palkan of
the Municipality of Polomolok; Barangay Albagan, Tablu and Lampitak, of
the Municipality of Tampakan; Barangays Acmonan, Cebuano, Kablon, Linan
and Miasong of the Municipality of Tupi; Barangays Datalbatong and
Datalbita, Municipality of Malungon; all in the Province of South
Cotabato and Sarangani. Mt Matutum is a steep mountain north of the
town of General Santos in South Cotabato Province. A recent forest
cover survey reported that the forest stands on Mt Matutum are found at
1,290 to 2,270 m, and are therefore all montane in type. Mt Matutum has
a forest reserve of 14,000 ha, of which c.3,000 ha is reported to still
be primary forest. The boundaries of this reserve are used to define
the IBA.
The Mt. Matutum is a volcanic cone formed by volcanic uplift during
previous period of activity. The geology of the area is dominated by
material of volcanic origin. It is classified as a non-active volcanic
cone; generally of pyroxene andosite and surrounding areas are
classified as volcanic slopes and piedmonts. Mt. Matutum forms the headwaters and catchment area for several
major drainages including the Klinan, Silway and Buayan rivers which
empty into Sarangani Bay through General Santos City. About 68% of the area is characterized by nearly flat rolling
terrain, which is generally located at the lower elevations of the
protected area boundaries. Highest elevation at the Mt. Matutum is 2,
286 meters above sea level. Mt. Matutum is host to diverse plant and animal species including
the Philippine Eagle. There are 110 plant species and 57 animal species. Justification for Outstanding Universal Value Satements of authenticity and/or integrity: The Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape-Sarangangi Bay Protected
Seascape is one of two project sites under the Southern Mindanao
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (SMICZMP) - a declared a
protected landscape on March 25, 1995 through Presidential Proclamation
552 issued by then President Fidel Ramos.
Comparison with other similar properties: Mt. Matutum Forest and Natural Park will soon be the habitat of
captive-bred Philippine eagle after the Philippine Eagle Foundation
(PEF) considered the suitability of Matutum for the experimental
release of the world renowned Philippine national bird. Philippine Eagle sightings in Mt. Matutum have been reported since
1970s and one physical evidence of this is the recent captive of a
Philippine eagle at Sitio Basak, Polunuling, Tupi, South Cotabato.
(MCC/MIO-Tupi/PIA 12). Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao- is a dormant
volcano and the Philippines highest mountain (2954m). As a known
habitat of the national bird, Philippine Eagle, its forested slopes
were protected for the conservation of this endangered bird. Mount
Kanlaon, Negros- located in the central highlands of Negros, this
mountain is home to various species of ferns, lichens, and orchids. It
is also inhabited by numerous species of tropical birds. Among them are
hundred endemic species of bleeding heart pigeons and the nearing to
extinction, Negros Fruit Doves. Others are Barblers and Warblers,
Doves, Bulbuls, Flycatchers and woodpeckers.
