Kalatungan Mountain Range

Kalatungan Mountain Range is a mountain range located in the central portion of the province of Bukidnon, the Philippines. It is one of the few areas in the province covered with old growth or mossy forests. It covers an area of approximately 213.0134 km² (82.24493 mi²), with about 113.7175 km² (43.90657 mi²) identified as part of the critical watershed area declared under Presidential Decree 127, issued on June 29, 1987 (Muleta-Manupali Watershed). The water from these two rivers (Muleta and Manupali Rivers) is supporting the multimillion dam project of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) of the Philippines. The rivers drained into the Pulangi River, which is the site of the hydroelectric dam of the National Power Corporation.[1]

Kalatungan Mountain Range
Kalatungan Mountain Range seen from Barangay Kibangay, Lantapan, Bukidnon
Highest point
PeakMount Kalatungan
Elevation2,824 m (9,265 ft)
Dimensions
Length38 km (24 mi) east-west
Width19 km (12 mi) north-south
Area213.0134 km2 (82.2449 sq mi)
Geography
CountryPhilippines
RegionNorthern Mindanao
DistrictBukidnon
SettlementValencia City
Range coordinates8°00′N 124°36′E

Geographical location

The mountain range is located in the central section of the province of Bukidnon A neighbor of Kitanglad Mountain Range . It lies between the coordinates 8°00’ and 8°60’ latitude and between 124°35’ and 124°60’ longitude. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Talakag, on the west by the municipality of Lantapan and the city of Valencia, and on the south by the municipality of Pangantucan. Its eastern side is bordered by both Talakag and Pangantucan.

Peaks

Kalatungan Mountain Range List of Peaks by elevation.

  • Mount Kalatungan 9,265 ft (2,824 m)
  • Mount Makaupao 9,232 ft (2,814 m)
  • Mount Kilakron 7,805 ft (2,379 m)
  • Maluso Peak 5,397 ft (1,645 m)
  • Itabingon Peak 5,292 ft (1,613 m)

Climate

The whole area of the Kalatungan Mountain Range falls under the Type III climate which is characterized as having a short dry season lasting only one to three months and no very pronounced maximum rain period. Average temperature is 24.7 °C. The area receives the highest amount of rainfall in the month of June while the driest month is March. The relative humidity varies from 71% in May to 86% in September. The area is virtually cloud-covered throughout the year.

Hydrological features
Kalatungan Falls

The range is the origin of the headwaters of the tributaries of the major river systems in Bukidnon—Pulangi River, Cagayan River and Maradugao River, Sawaga River. Among these rivers are the Bangahan River in the southwest, Ticalaan River in the northwest, Lantay River in the south and Manupali River in the north.

Also found within the vicinity of the mountain range are streams that flow through waterfalls, cascades and rapids. Wetlands and marshes, although not significant in area, are also found within the range. The mountain range manifests a radial type of drainage pattern.

Cultural and biological diversity

Indigenous Manobo and Talaandig people live on the mountain range and consider it part of their ancestral lands.[2] They consider the forest sacred and have taken care of it for centuries.[2]

The mountain range is a key biodiversity area, home to at least129 animal species and 342 plant species.[2] A number of endangered or vulnerable species are found on the mountain range, such as the Philippine eagle, Philippine hawk eagle, flying fox, Philippine warty pig, and Philippine deer.[3] The Mindanao pygmy fruit bat is also found on the range. Endemic tree species that dominate the area are the katmon, white lauan, red lauan, bagtikan, and bikal-boboi, as well as the threatened almasiga.[3]

Indigenous communities take part in conservation efforts in the area.[2][4]

See also

References
  1. "Assessment on the Vegetative Cover of Mt. Kalatungan Range" (Press release). Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-Malaybalay, Bukidnon. 1987.
  2. Luntao, Gerard Jerome (2020). Stories of hope from Mt. Kalatungan: The Manobo and Talaandig experience in defending and conserving their ancestral lands (PDF). Cagayan de Oro City and Quezon City, Philippines: ANGOC and XSF. ISBN 978-971-8632-55-0.
  3. "Important Bird Areas fact sheet: Kalatungan mountains". Bird Life. 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  4. "Philippine tribes empowered to preserve nature, prevent conflict". UNDP in Philippines. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
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