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.
| Allah Valley | |
|---|---|
Allah Valley at Surallah, South Cotabato | |
Allah Valley Location in the Philippines | |
| Area | 2,520 km2 (970 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Mindanao |
| Country | Philippines |
| State |
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| Region | Soccsksargen |
| Population centers | |
| Borders on |
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| Coordinates | 6°25′N 124°42′E |
| Rivers |
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| Source: area | |
It is accessible via the Allah Valley Airport in Surallah, South Cotabato.
The valley is known for its natural environment, such as Lake Sebu, Lake Holon, Baras Bird Sanctuary, and Esperanza Hot and Cold Springs. On the other hand, it is adversely affected by flooding, siltation, riverbank migration, unstable agriculture production, and upland degradation, as well as illegal logging.
The entire valley was declared a watershed forest reserve in 1985 through the signing of Proclamation No. 2455. 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.
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.