Ramadan Iftar Saim Distribution Program
An annual Ramadan program that distributes cooked iftar meals to mosque congregations, schools, universities, madrasas, IDP communities, villages, and general community members across Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Metro Manila, and other areas of Mindanao and Luzon. The program has run every Ramadan since PhilCare's founding in 2018.
- Location
- Marawi City and multiple municipalities of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Baguio City, and Metro Manila
- Timeline
- Ongoing annual program since 2018
- Region
- Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro (BARMM), Davao Region, National Capital Region
Challenge
During Ramadan, many families, students, mosque communities, IDP households, orphans, and general community members in Mindanao lack reliable access to iftar (fast-breaking) meals, particularly those in IDP shelters, remote villages, and low-income neighborhoods.
Response
PhilCare coordinates with mosque imams, village and barangay officials, school administrators, university student councils, and local da'wah workers to identify recipient sites and distribute cooked iftar meals daily throughout the 29–30 days of Ramadan. Many distribution days also include Islamic awareness sessions, lectures, or reflections, and several activities include distributing surplus meals to nearby households.
Impact
2018: 1,200 iftar beneficiaries. 2019: 431 families (P347,249.83 collected). 2023: 29 documented activities; approximately 8,070–8,400 beneficiaries reached (sources show a discrepancy between the narrative figure of 8,400 and the site-by-site daily total of 8,350 meals/8,070 beneficiaries); 8,350–8,400 meals distributed across Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, General Santos, Davao, and Metro Manila. 2024: 29 activities, 8,400 meals distributed, 8,010 direct beneficiaries reached, average 290 meals per activity. 2025: 29 activities, 8,700 meals distributed, 8,320 direct participants reached, including outreach to IDP housing, a women's Qur'an institute, an orphan institute, and Marawi City Central Jail.
Project updates
29 activities, 8,700 meals distributed, and 8,320 direct participants reached.
29 activities, 8,400 meals distributed, 8,010 direct beneficiaries reached, with an average of 290 meals per activity.
29 documented activities and approximately 8,350–8,400 meals distributed, reaching approximately 8,070–8,400 beneficiaries, depending on the reporting method used in the source records.
431 families reached, with ₱347,249.83 collected to support the program.
PhilCare organized and distributed cooked iftar meals to community members during Ramadan, working through local community and religious networks. Impact: 1,200 iftar beneficiaries reached.
