COTABATO CITY (March 12) — In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan has become what many poor residents describe as a “harvest season”—a time when donations, cash assistance and relief goods flow across communities often left struggling the rest of the year.
The fasting month, one of the most sacred periods in Islam, calls on Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk and to intensify prayer and acts of charity. But in one of the Philippines’ poorest regions, the surge of giving during Ramadan has also highlighted the heavy dependence of marginalized families on seasonal generosity.
Since the start of Ramadan on Feb. 19, public officials, business leaders and professionals across BARMM have been distributing hadiyya—cash gifts and food packages—to communities across the region.
A conservative tally based on social media posts and news reports suggests that more than 250,000 people have already received cash assistance ranging from P500 to P1,000, along with rice and canned goods.
Some beneficiaries said they have received aid multiple times from different donors, reflecting the intensity of charitable activity during the holy month.
Faith-driven giving
In Islamic teaching, charity carries heightened spiritual rewards during Ramadan. Donations are believed to multiply in merit, especially during the final 10 days when Muslims observe Laylat al-Qadr—the “Night of Power,” when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
This belief often triggers a surge of giving toward the end of the fasting month, with affluent Muslims increasing their donations in the hope of gaining greater spiritual reward.
Some donors prefer to give quietly, consistent with Islamic tradition that values discreet charity. Others publicize their activities online, saying it encourages fellow Muslims to share their wealth with the poor.
Officials join Ramadan outreach
Several members of the BARMM interim parliament led by Speaker Mohammad Yacob have posted online their distribution of food packs and other assistance in villages across the region.
Government agencies have also carried out Ramadan outreach.
The Bangsamoro Ministry of Social Welfare and Development has delivered relief packages to far-flung communities, while the Bangsamoro Ministry of Health has conducted medical missions offering free medicines and consultations.
BARMM interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has also sponsored community iftar meals—the evening gathering where Muslims break their daylong fast—in several villages.
Cash support for former rebels
Beyond charity drives, the regional government has also started releasing financial assistance to former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front.
Through the Office of the Bangsamoro Mujahideen under Special Circumstance, around 2,000 beneficiaries are receiving P63,000 each, equivalent to nine months of a P7,000 monthly assistance program.
Beneficiaries come from areas including Marawi City, Sulu, Zamboanga City, General Santos City, Tawi-Tawi, Davao City and Palawan.
For former combatant Suaib Hussain, the payout represents recognition of the decadeslong struggle for self-determination in the Bangsamoro homeland.
Charity as lifeline
For many families in BARMM—where poverty rates remain among the highest in the country—the Ramadan surge of donations offers temporary relief from daily hardships.
But the pattern also underscores a deeper reality: that in many communities, survival still depends heavily on periodic charity rather than stable livelihoods.
For now, as Ramadan continues, thousands of recipients say the seasonal generosity feels like a blessing—one they hope will extend beyond the fasting month and into lasting economic opportunities in the autonomous region.
