Allah Valley
The Allah Valley (at times also spelled Alah) is a large valley of the Allah River in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. It is formed by the Roxas-Matulas Range in the north and the Daguma Mountain Range in the south.[1]
It is accessible via the Allah Valley Airport in Surallah, South Cotabato.[2]
The valley is recognized for its natural beauty, such as Lake Sebu, Lake Holon, Baras Bird Sanctuary, and Esperanza Hot and Cold Springs.[3] On the other hand, it is adversely affected by flooding, siltation, riverbank migration, unstable agriculture production, and upland degradation,[1] as well as illegal logging.[4]
The entire valley was declared a watershed forest reserve in 1985 through the signing of Proclamation No. 2455 by President Ferdinand Marcos. The 102,350-hectare (252,900-acre) protected area also includes Lake Sebu, the Tasaday-Manobo Special Forest Reserve, the Datu Ma Falen Civil Reservation, and the National Cultural Minorities Settlement Reservation located within the valley.[5]
Geography
It is a well populated valley with fertile soil, bisected by the Allah and Banga Rivers (tributaries of the Pulangi River). The placid lake of Lake Sebu can be found in the upper part of the Allah Valley. Its elevation ranges from 439 to 1,814 feet (134 to 553 m).
The 2,520 square kilometres (970 sq mi)[1] valley covers over the half of South Cotabato because it has 6 of the 10 municipalities of South Cotabato.
Municipalities in the valley
People
As of 2007, Allah Valley is home to some 628,832 people, composed of indigenous T'bolis, B'laan, Tirurays, and Manobos, as well as Maguindanaons and other migrants.[1]
Economy
The economy is based on agriculture producing mostly rice, corn, banana, pineapple, oil palm, and asparagus.[1] Another source of income is aquaculture of Tilapia in Lake Sebu.
Companies are starting to invest to build factories in the area especially in the municipalities of Surallah and Tboli. Especially eco-tourism is being promoted as a means to boost the region's economy.[3]
References
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