| Allah Valley | |
|---|---|
 Allah Valley atSurallah, South Cotabato | |
.svg)  Allah Valley Location in the Philippines | |
| Area | 2,520 km2 (970 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Mindanao |
| Country | Philippines |
| State | |
| Region | Soccsksargen |
| Population centers | |
| Borders on |
|
| Coordinates | 6°25′N124°42′E / 6.417°N 124.700°E /6.417; 124.700 |
| Rivers |
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| Source: area[1] | |
TheAllah Valley (at times also spelledAlah) is a large valley of theAllah River in the provinces ofSouth Cotabato andSultan Kudarat on the island ofMindanao,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 theAllah Valley Airport inSurallah, South Cotabato.[2]
The valley is known for its natural environment, such asLake 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 asillegal logging.[4]
The entire valley was declared awatershed forest reserve in 1985 through the signing of Proclamation No. 2455. The 102,350-hectare (252,900-acre) protected area also includesLake 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]
The bestselling Lonely Planet described Lake Sebu as a place located in a “bowl of forests and mountains.” The 42,450-hectare landscape consisting the domains of the Allah Valley is recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a cultural landscape in Mindanao.[6]
It is a well populated valley with fertile soil, bisected by the Allah and Banga Rivers (tributaries of thePulangi River). The placid lake ofLake 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 ofSouth Cotabato spanning 6 of the 10 municipalities of South Cotabato.
As of 2007, Allah Valley is home to some 628,832 people, composed of IndigenousT'bolis,B'laan,Tirurays,Manobos andMaguindanaons and settlers from Luzon and Visayas.[1]
The economy is based on agriculture producing mostlyrice,maize,banana,pineapple, oil palm, andasparagus.[1] Another source of income is aquaculture oftilapia inLake Sebu.
Companies are starting to invest to build factories in the area especially in the municipalities ofSurallah and Tboli. Especiallyeco-tourism is being promoted as a means to boost the region's economy.[3]
