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Surallah is an agri-industrial municipality in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines in SOCSKSARGEN or Region XII which is a part of the Mindanao Island. The municipality is seated about 20 km south-west of province capital city of Koronadal and about 1,002 km south-south-east of Philippine main capital, Manila. The geographic coordinates of Surallah are 6° 22' 0 N, 124° 43' 59 E... According to the 2010 census of population, it has a population of 76,035. It is also the fastest growing municipality of South Cotabato. Administratively the Municipality of Surallah is subdivided into 17 barangays. 16 of it are in outlying areas. These barangays are several kilometers away from the downtown

No.	Name	PSGC-Code	Area in km²	Urbanisation	Population
2	Buenavista	126313002	-	rural	1,610
3	Centrala	126313003	-	urban	7,805
4	Colongulo	126313004	-	rural	4,626
5	Dajay	126313005	-	rural	7,544
6	Duengas	126313006	-	rural	829
8	Canahay (Godwino)	126313008	-	rural	2,428
14	Lambontong	126313014	-	rural	3,902
17	Lamian	126313017	-	rural	3,467
18	Lamsugod	126313018	-	rural	2,662
19	Libertad (Pob.)	126313019	-	urban	15,388
20	Little Baguio	126313020	-	rural	2,735
23	Moloy	126313023	-	rural	3,164
24	Naci (Doce)	126313024	-	rural	3,787
28	Talahik	126313028	-	rural	2,164
30	Tubiala	126313030	-	rural	2,926
31	Upper Sepaka	126313031	-	rural	5,047
32	Veterans	126313032	-	rural	1,429

According to the 2007 census, Surallah has a population of 71,513 residents and belongs to the 294 emerging cities and municiplities in the Philippines which have more than 50,000 inhabitants but did not reach 100,000 yet. Based on the number of its inhabitants Surallah is number 255 of the most populous urban of the Philippines and at 59 in Mindanao group of islands and at 5 of the most populous urban of province South Cotabato. With an area of 540.30 km² Surallah is one of the principal cities in terms of area in region SOCCSKSARGEN. Based on its urban area, it is 18th biggest city of the region and is number 3 of the biggest cities of the province of .

According to the Philippine income classification for provinces, cities and municipalities Surallah is a 1st class municipality. The urbanization status of Surallah is classified as partly urban.

History of Surallah

 


The Municipality of Surallah was created by virtue of Republic Act 3420 on June 18, 1961 as later amended by RA 3664 on June 22, 1963. Its history is generally reckoned with the influx of settlers coming from their abilities under the settlements Programs of NLSA; RPC-NDC; NARRA and LASEDECO.

Surallah started as 6^th Class Municipality with 26 barrios and a population of 26,162 settling in a vast land area of 97,000 hectares. The rapid growth of its cluster barrios made the support of the new town. The creation of the Municipality of T’boli in 1964 making six (6) barrios integrated in thus, reducing the total land area to 31,200 hectares. Subsequently, three (3) Barangays were created from their mother barangay; hence, the municipality has 23 officials barangay.

Lately, the booming tourism industry in the south made to be the primary factor of the birth of the new Municipality of Lake Sebu in 1982, causing the reduction of the total land area and population of Surallah from 31,200 to 31,110 hectares and from 52,703 to 42,467 respectively. The separation of Lake Sebu into Municipality made another reduction in the number of barangay from 23 to 17.

The influential leadership of the municipality triggered the tremendous growth development from a small span of years from its creation up to 1990. First, the administration of the Hon. Jose T. Sison who served the Municipality from 1963-1978 until the election for regional representatives caused Mayor Jose T.  Sison to become the Assemblyman of Region XI. Former barrio treasurer of Libertad, Federico Magalona, Jr. was appointed to assume the office until the Local Election of January 31, 1980. The concluded poll gave the mayoralty seat to Conrado P. Haguisan to serve from seat Hon. Lorenzo Delmo until November 21,1987 who vacated the post to run in January 18,1988 election. From December 1, 1987 to January 31, 1988 former OIC Councilor Fransisco Sodusta served as OIC Mayor. The election in January 1988 gave back the local leadership to former Assemblyman Jose T. Sison as Municipal Mayor of Surallah who served for three terms until May 1998. The race for Local leadership in May election proved to be competitive among aspirants who had eventually won by Hon. Romulo O. Solivio. The new leadership brought necessary changes in the administration more specific on a gradual shift from traditional type to a more conventional way of governance by re-inventing new techniques thru dynamic participative approaches.

There is no official source of information regarding the origin of the name of the place according to pioneer inhabitants, they called the place “Scherazade Allah” Scherazade is an Arab word which denotes something beautiful. The Christian settlers later modified the word into “Surallah” Which means South of Allah. The origin inhabitants of the area are the tagabilis, a mountain tribe people who moved inward after the arrival of the Christian settlers from Luzon and Visayas. The latest census of May 2000 gave Surallah the Officials population count of 66,208.

On July 1991, Surallah was reclassified from fifth class to third class Municipality being considered as one of the most progressive municipality in the province of South Cotabato. Subsequently in 1993, it became a second class municipality and later in July of 1997 it was reclassified as first class municipality by the Department of Finance

Banking on the Potentials for Agro-industrial and commercials developments, the administration geared its program toward making Surallah as the Agro-industrial and commercial center for Upper Valley Area where vision is specifically addressed to.

As economic activities flourished in the area, more people especially businessmen settled into the place which contributed much to faster pace of development.

The Municipality’s vision as an Agro-industrial and Commercial center of the Upper valley Area for the coming years continues as it directs its mission towards providing infrastructure developments, economic supports services and facilities to attract and encourage growth of investments in the municipality. Aside from these, the improvement of the social services, the conservation of the natural resources and protection of the environment are also priority development objectives of this fast growing municipality presently serving as the economic center of the Upper Valley Area.

Surallah Today

Surallah Newly Roundball

       The people of Surallah, however, face many environmental hazards such as storms, earthquakes and floods that often disrupt daily lives and the economic productivity. These challenges had destroyed agricultural lands and also animal farms. These things are occurring as they develop industrialized economy. Pollutions are also affecting the quality of urban life in the region.

Agriculture

-      It is an important part of the economy of Surallah. Rice farming is the most important agricultural activity in this municipality.

Rice grows well here because most of the land here has fertile soil, an abundant water supply and a warm wet climate. it is the major crop exported by this municipality. For the past years, farmers of Surallah don'thave modern technology when planting or harvesting instead, they use their own hands or use simple tools such as sickles. Water buffalo is even used when plowing the fields. But today, modern technologies arrive. These technologies help the farmers plow, plant and harvest fast and easy.  

Other Crops

Sugarcane

Surallah also grow edible roots such as cassavas and potatoes. They plant bananas and pineapples. Many people have small garden plot that produced a variety of fruits and vegetables and also raise pigs and poultry. Sugar cane, coconuts, rubber, coffee, palm oil and spices are important cash crops in the town. 

Forestry

Forestry is an important industry in Surallah. Mahogany and bamboo are important industry in Surallah.  

Environmental Protection

Logging, however, has often led to serious deforestation and environmental damage. In recent years, Surallah have taken steps to limit the exploitation of the forests. The Philippine governments have passed laws to limit certain logging but these restrictions are often not adequately enforced.

Transportation
 In this municipality, bicycles, motor scooters, cars, buses, and trucks are common means of transportation. Better railroads and asphalt highways are the result of economic progress.The former domestic Airport also serve as an outlet for exporting and importing products.

Communication
 Communications services are readily available in this town. These services help to develop the economy of the town by providing rapid communication between businesses. Surallah also have an official radio station. This station brings national and local news to provide listeners an information about the political, economical situation of the country throught the region.

Economy
     The economy of Surallah is increasing at a rapid rate. It become more urbanized and industrialized municipality. Sooner or later it will become a city.
Today, more buildings were stood. More business and companies emerged that make the economy of the town increase.