THE BEAUTEOUS HOMETOWN
Surallah is a very fast
growing municipality of South Cotabato. Formerly, it formed part of the
municipality of Banga. Due to the early settlers desire to be a separate
entity, the leaders of the prominent barrios like Libertad and Centrala
strengthened their community and eventually spearheaded its separation from
Banga's jurisdiction. A greater portion of these two barrios presently comprise
the entire population area.
The Municipality of Surallah was created by virtue of Republic Act 3120 on June 18, 1961 as later on amended by RA 3664 on June 22, 1963. Its history is generally reckoned with the influx of settlers coming from Luzon and Visayas who were afforded the chance to demonstrate their abilities under the settlements programs of NLSA; RPC-NDC; NARRA and LASADECO.
Surallah started as 6th class municipality with 26 barrios and a population of 26,162 settlinng in a vast land area of 97,000 hectares.
Festival
Lembohung Festival - An annual celebration which aims to promote and develop its tradition, arts and culture to foster unity of the different ethnical tribes.
LGU Type: Municipality
Province Name: South Cotabato
LGU Name: Surallah
Income Class: 1st
Population: 75,841
Total Land Area (in has): 31,110.00
No. of Barangays: 17
No. of Households: 15,337
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 6th
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.
Vision
Surallah,
an Agro-industrial City in South Cotabato and the service center of Upper
Valley, driven by a competitive and diversified Economy, supported by adequate
and well-built infrastructure, and where a healthy citizenry enjoys a clean and
green environment and is empowered in an atmosphere of responsible and
effective governance.
Mission
“Create
a sound management in the delivery of services for the people for efficient and
effective local governance.”
MAP
GOVERRNMENT
Municipal
Officials
2010-2013
ROMULO O. SOLIVIO SR.
Municipal Mayor
ANTONIO O. BENDITA
Vice-Mayor
Sangguniang
Bayan Members
Hon.
Pinky U. Divinagracia
Hon.
Hernany G Regalado
Hon.
Antonio C. Rosal
Hon.
Jose Mari L. Pingoy
Hon.
Edgardo V. Canieso
Hon.
Lorenzo E. Dagum
Hon.
Romulo B. Solivio Jr.
Hon. Merlina L. Lopez
Surallahnons Activities
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PSSN Visited Surallah
The Municipality of Surallah
continues to establish its name, even outside the country. In fact it is
visited by different guests everyday coming from different places.
Since it is a way point going to
Lake Sebu visitors passing by can’t help but stop their vehicles and take a
picture on the work of art and sculptors that are all over the place.
As a proof, last May 24, 2012, the
team from Philippine Society for the Study of Nature (PSSN) headed by Dr.
Susan Ortuoste visited Surallah and brought along 176 participants.
The LGU prepared a short program
for the guests coming from the different regions of the Philippines. What
made the visit a special one was the presence of guests coming from Malaysia,
Indonesia, Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam who were very happy seeing the
extraordinary structures of Surallah.
During the program, Dr. Ortuoste
endlessly thanked the LGU for preparing a warm welcome for the visitors.
A short cultural presentation
depicting the different settlers of Surallah was then showed performed by the
selected students as well as the presentation of Surallah Rondalla playing
folk songs for the entertainment of the guests.
Mayor Solivio during his message
left the visitors with a resounding environmental quote that states ‘we do
not inherit the earth from our children, we borrow it from them’., that
was greatly applauded.
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Last
Updated on Friday, 20 July 2012 15:13
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Written
by Arleene P. Ogates
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Friday,
20 July 2012 15:03
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ASTIG
Summer Sports Clinic 2012 launched in Surallah
To give break to the people of
Surallah with their business in life, the Local Government of Surallah under
the leadership of Honorable Romulo O. Solivio Sr. continues to conduct its
annual summer program and now in its new title ASTIG or (Annual summer
talents and interactive games) in order to involve its community with various
activities with regards to sports and improving individual talents.
This was launched in front of
Surallah Children’s Park on April 11, 2012 where trainers, participants and
LGU employees did a FUN RUN to mark the opening and was then followed by a
Hataw Exercise led by Mrs. Alma Molina and was participated by everybody as
well as the Mayor Himself, Hon. Romulo O. Solivio Sr. .
The launched ASTIG Summer Sports
Clinic 2012 is the new name for the yearly summer activity of LGU Surallah
for the youth which showcases the three categories of events for Sports and
Talent enhancement program such as the Sports, Music and Arts. To be
able to nurture and discover the hidden talents and skills of the children of
Surallah, series of events were offered like Voice and Dance Class, Drums,
Rondalla, Guitar, Drawing, Swimming, Taekwondo, Soccer, Badminton, Chess,
Boxing, Lawn and Table Tennis and Basketball and according to Surallah
Municipal Sports Coordinator Ronnie Marfil these were participated in
by 631 participants which is 31% greater than the participants last year and
also manifests the great effort of LGU Surallah in promoting development
program.
The activities ended with a
culmination night on May 11, 2012 held at the Surallah Civic Cultural Center
where the participants presented special numbers showcasing the knowledge and
skills they acquired during the trainings. The President of Sanguniang
Kabataan Federation; Kimberly Rondael was also present during the Big Night
and commended the performances of the youth presented during the program. And
in his remarkable speech, Surallah Municipal Mayor Romulo O. Solivio Sr.,
also encouraged the children to be into sports and have a healthy life and
enhance the skills and talents that they have as the future of Surallah.
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Written
by Arleene P. Ogates
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Monday,
02 July 2012 21:23
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Purok Sison Elementary School, 5th
Placer
for the Aliwan Festival Street Dance Competition
2012
The Aliwan Fiesta showcases the richness of
Philippine heritage, not only to its people but also to the rest of the
world. It is a highly anticipated annual event, with prizes summing up to
millions of pesos, whereby contingents from all over the country promote
their respective regions, both economically and tourism-wise. Its highlight
is when the competing festivals present their dance skills while they are on
a parade for four kilometers along Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Grandstand
going to Aliw Theater grounds that is situated near CCP.
The grand parade of Aliwan Fiesta 2012 was
held on April 14, and kicked off at the Quirino Grandstand and made its way
to the CCP Complex for the culminating showdown in front of the Aliw Theater.
One of its 21 contestants were the participants from Purok Sison Elementary
School of Surallah representing the Lembohung Festival and showed too much
enthusiasm and energy while performing in the middle of the road and in the
end, were proclaimed as the 5th Placer for the Aliwan Festival
Street Dance Competition 2012.
Aside from the awards and recognition given
to the Municipality of Surallah, it keeps on creating names in different
fields through different potentials that it has, for it to be recognized
worldwide through its undying effort and extended support. And certainly
manifests that Surallah is the home of success.
AWARDS
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GALING POOK AWARD
GAWAD PAMANA NG LAHI AWARD
SURALLAH NEWS
Threemonths after the groundbreaking, construction of the Surallah District
Hospital or the Upper Valley Community Hospital is now in full
swing.
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In a report, the provincial government
of South Cotabato has so far raised some P118.4M in funding commitments for the
construction and ongoing development of the Surallah District Hospital
in Barangay Dajay, Surallah, South Cotabato.
Department of Health (DOH) Region 12
has proposed for an augmentation funding of P65.4M through its budget for 2013
on top of the P28 million the agency has already pledged earlier under its health facilities enhancement program for the
initial construction phase of Surallah Distrist Hospital. The municipal
government of Surallah for their part donated the 5-hectare lot which is worth
P5.5 million for the site of the hospital, while San Miguel Corporation (SMC)
donated P25 million for the infrastructure component of the facility.
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Soon to rise Surallah District Hospital
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When operational, the
Surallah District Hospital which will also be called the Upper Valley
Community Hospital will provide health care services to residents in at
least five of the six municipalities composing the Upper Valley Area
namely, Surallah, Banga, Sto. Niño, Lake Sebu, and T’boli.
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Construction of Surallah District Hospital in full
swing
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The Surallah
District Hospital is expected to begin operation by the first quarter of
2013 initially as a maternity hospital.
The new Surallah Integrated Public Terminal was
finally inaugurated yesterday, August 10, 2011, in a thanksgiving mass and
inauguration ceremony attended by the town officials headed by Hon. Mayor
Romulo Solivio, Sr., municipal employees, invited provincial officials, guests
and the people of Surallah.
The P45 million Surallah Integrated Public Terminal
priority project of the present municipal administration has a wide
parking space which can accommodate up to a hundred buses, vans and
jeepneys. The new terminal boasts of its modern design and facilities, it has
clean rest rooms, waiting sheds for commuters, and a wide waiting area. Soon it
would be a one-stop-shop where the travelling public can buy most of the things
they need.
The Surallah Integrated Public Terminal has trips
every 30 minutes (5am- 7pm) to neighboring towns of T'boli, Sto.Niño, Isulan
and Tacurong (Sultan Kudarat), Koronadal City and South Cotabato's prime
tourist destination- Lake Sebu.
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Passenger's entrance
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[Photo credits:
Surallah CDIP, Ariel Lagamon]
