Maitum

Maitum, officially the Municipality of Maitum, is a local government unit in Sarangani Province on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. It faces the Celebes Sea and is bordered by Sultan Kudarat to the west, Kiamba to the east, and South Cotabato to the north. The municipality is divided into 19 barangays and had a population of 46,120 in the 2024 census, making it the least populous municipality in Sarangani according to the cited reference material. The municipality was created from portions of Kiamba through Republic Act No. 2189, enacted on May 7, 1959. It initially belonged to the then-undivided Province of Cotabato. Following the creation of South Cotabato in 1966, Maitum and Kiamba became part of that province, and both were later included in Sarangani when the province was established in 1992. The name is associated in local tradition with the dark stones of the Saub River and is linked to the Visayan word “maitom,” meaning black. Maitum’s economy is primarily agricultural. It is commonly described as a rice-producing center or “rice granary” of Sarangani, while aquaculture is another major source of income. Products associated with the municipality include rice, milkfish, prawns, shrimp, coconut, maize, rubber, bananas, mangoes, cacao, livestock, eggs, and other fishery products. Marinated flying fish is a locally recognized food specialty. Improved communications and the completion of a modern highway have supported trade, transport, and wider economic activity. Maitum has cultural importance beyond its economic role. Archaeologists from the National Museum discovered anthropomorphic secondary burial jars in Ayub Cave in 1991 and additional material in Sagel Cave in 2008. The jars, generally dated to the Philippine Metal Age, feature human-like faces and bodies and provide evidence of ancient communities and beliefs concerning death and the afterlife. Most original artifacts are held by the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila, while local displays use replicas. The jars have been recognized as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines. Their protection remains a concern because of reported looting, limited physical security at cave sites, illicit collecting, and insufficient public awareness. The municipality also contains important natural habitats. Its mountainous and forested areas support tarsiers, Philippine and Mindanao hornbills, the Philippine eagle, wild mammals, and other wildlife. Coastal and marine areas provide habitat for hawksbill turtles and other sea turtles. The Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary, established in 2003, reflects local conservation efforts. The annual Binuyugan Festival, held in May, is a major community cultural event. Cebuano is the principal local language, while Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Maguindanaon, and T’boli are also spoken. Maitum’s population includes many residents of Ilocano origin and T’boli communities in the uplands.

Maitum’s modern political history begins with its separation from Kiamba. Republic Act No. 2189, enacted on May 7, 1959, created the municipality from 21 barrios and designated Barrio Maitum as the seat of government. At that time the territory belonged to the undivided Province of Cotabato. The reorganization of provincial boundaries later placed Maitum in South Cotabato in 1966. In 1992, the municipality became part of the newly established Province of Sarangani, where it remains a local government unit. The name Maitum is traditionally connected with the dark stones found in the Saub River. Local folklore explains the color through the story of a princess and her warrior lover whose flight from the princess’s disapproving father supposedly caused the stones to turn black. The linguistic explanation commonly links the name to “maitom,” a Visayan term for black. Maitum’s deeper historical significance comes from archaeological work in its caves. In 1991, National Museum archaeologists investigated Ayub Cave in Barangay Pinol and recovered anthropomorphic secondary burial jars. Another reported discovery took place at Sagel Cave in 2008. These earthenware vessels depict human forms with complete or partial facial features and are associated with burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife. Radiocarbon evidence cited for associated materials places the finds within the Philippine Metal Age, with reported calibrated ranges extending from the late first millennium BC into the early centuries AD. The jars are considered unusually important because comparable examples have not been widely documented elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Most of the original objects are kept by the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. Maitum has displayed replicas locally and has expressed interest in securing the return of original artifacts if a museum with adequate conservation facilities can be established. The archaeological sites and objects face continuing risks from looting, illegal trade, inadequate site security, and limited community awareness. The jars have consequently been treated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, with Philippine law providing severe penalties for unauthorized sale or removal. Modern Maitum is predominantly agricultural and coastal. Rice production is central to the local economy, and aquaculture—especially milkfish, prawns, and shrimp—provides another major livelihood and export-related activity. Coconut, maize, rubber, fruit, cacao, livestock, and fishing supplement these sectors. The municipality’s transport and commercial prospects have benefited from improved communications and highway infrastructure. Maitum also combines marine, forest, and cultural resources. The Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary, founded in 2003, supports sea-turtle conservation. Forest and upland habitats shelter tarsiers, hornbills, the Philippine eagle, fruit bats, and other fauna. The May Binuyugan Festival expresses local identity, while Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Maguindanaon, and T’boli reflect the municipality’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

• 2008

  Further jar material is found at Sagel Cave

  [1]Maitumen.wikipedia.org

  Additional archaeological discoveries at Sagel Cave reinforced Maitum’s importance as a Metal Age cultural site.

• 2003

  Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary is founded

  [1]Maitumen.wikipedia.org

  A sea-turtle nesting sanctuary was established in Maitum to support conservation of coastal wildlife.

• 1992

  Maitum joins Sarangani Province

  [1]Maitumen.wikipedia.org

  Maitum became one of the municipalities of the newly established Province of Sarangani.

• 1991

  Ayub Cave burial jars are discovered

  [1]Maitumen.wikipedia.org

  National Museum archaeologists recovered anthropomorphic secondary burial jars from Ayub Cave in Maitum.

• 1966

  Maitum becomes part of South Cotabato

  [1]Maitumen.wikipedia.org

  Maitum was included in South Cotabato after the province was created from the former Cotabato territory.

• 1959

  Maitum becomes a separate municipality

  [1]Maitumen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 2189 created Maitum from 21 barangays of Kiamba and established its municipal seat at Barrio Maitum.

A rural coastal municipality positioned around agriculture, aquaculture, environmental assets, and distinctive prehistoric cultural heritage.

• Agriculture

  Rice

  Rice is Maitum’s principal agricultural product and forms the basis of its reputation as one of Sarangani’s important rice-producing areas.

• Aquaculture

  Aquaculture products

  Maitum produces milkfish, prawns, and shrimp through aquaculture. These products provide significant local income and include output intended for broader and export-oriented markets.

• Food specialty

  Marinated flying fish

  Marinated flying fish is a food product associated with Maitum and contributes to the municipality’s identity as a local food-producing center.

• Cultural heritage

  Maitum anthropomorphic burial jars

  These earthenware secondary burial vessels feature anthropomorphic forms and facial details. The original artifacts are protected cultural property; local displays use replicas because most originals are held by the National Museum of the Philippines.

• 1959

  Creation of the Municipality of MaitumOther

  Background

  Maitum was formerly represented through barangays belonging to Kiamba in the then-undivided Province of Cotabato.

  Action taken

  Republic Act No. 2189 constituted 21 barangays as a separate municipality and designated Maitum as the government seat.

  Aftermath

  The municipality subsequently became part of South Cotabato in 1966 and Sarangani Province in 1992.

  Source

1. 1Maitumen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Municipality of Maitum websitemaitum.gov.ph