Brgy. Salacafe, T'boli, South Cotabato – A total of 30 participants from the AVLDA Program Management Office (PMO), Technical Working Group (TWG), and various LGU partners took part in the Lake Holon Trekking and Ocular Visit activity last June 10-11, 2009.

The said participants experienced the “Holon Escapade,” where you endure trekking the more than six-kilometre curvy distance from Brgy. Salacafe proper to Lake Holon (also known as Lake Maughan) located at at the crater of Mt. Melebengoy (also known as Mt. Parker) and enjoy nature's beauty along the way. According to Mr. Peter F. Carbon, AVLDA Project Officer, the hike to Lake Holon would take three to four hours at a normal walking speed.

Upon arrival at the Municipal Hall of T'boli, Mr. Julian C. Asion, T'boli Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO), gave a brief introduction about Lake Holon and an orientation on do's and don'ts while at the lake to the trekkers.

At around ten o'clock in the morning the backpackers proceeded to Brgy. Salacafe. After about an hour and a half, they arrived at the said barangay and had their lunch together. At exactly 12 noon, they began treading the challenging path to Lake Holon.

In order to establish common knowledge and acquire a deeper understanding of the conditions of the upstream regions and how it affects the whole Allah Valley Landscape, the hikers were asked to observe the deforested areas and the primary forests which only covers about 11 percent of the total landscape at present.

When they finally arrived at the lake at around four o'clock in the afternoon, the participants took some time to relish the panorama of Lake Holon. After which, they assembled their camping tents in the area. In the morning after breakfast the campers had a succinct group sharing and discussion about the lake, their general observations, recommendations and suggestions. At around one o'clock in the afternoon, they arrived at Brgy. Salacafe after a tiring but joyous journey. (see Photos)