Mount Matutum

Mount Matutum is an active volcano in South Cotabato on Mindanao island that reaches 2,286 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level. The crater spans roughly 320 meters (1,050 feet) across and opens through three deep gorges, while the floor sits about 120 meters (390 feet) below the rim and supports thick forest growth.

The last recorded volcanic activity took place in March 1911, when a possible phreatic eruption may have occurred. Scientists have never fully confirmed this event, as records from that time remain incomplete.

The indigenous Blaan families maintain their ancestral territories around Mount Matutum, considering the mountain central to their traditional practices.

Two thermal springs named Acmonan and Linan lie roughly 5.7 kilometers (3.5 miles) west-southwest of the peak and offer natural mineral water. Reaching the summit requires good physical fitness and takes several hours through dense forest and steep sections.

The densely forested crater floor provides habitat for Philippine eagles and small primates that shelter among the native vegetation. Despite the volcanic past of the peak, an almost undisturbed ecosystem has developed inside.