Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur — Islamic Relief Philippines, with support from Islamic Relief USA, conducted the Formation and Orientation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under its Road to Environmental Action and Poverty Alleviation for the Underprivileged Population (REAP-UP) Project from April 22–26, 2025.
The week-long activity, held across the barangays of Baital, Bakat, Malibpok, Panadtaban, and Sampao in the Municipality of Rajah Buayan, marks a significant step toward sustainable community development in the Municipality.
Each SHG unites 25 rightsholders facing similar socio-economic challenges, creating a collaborative space for dialogue, mutual support, and collective action. The groups aim to address pressing social issues, enhance livelihood opportunities, and strengthen financial management practices among members.
Beyond immediate assistance, the SHGs are envisioned to continue fostering leadership, resilience, and economic empowerment long after the conclusion of the project.
The REAP-UP Project is set to benefit a total of 500 rightsholders — 100 from each of the five barangays — providing context-specific and climate-resilient livelihood interventions designed to improve the socio-economic conditions of extremely poor families in Rajah Buayan.
IR Philippines is also working in cooperation with the barangay councils which offered their full support since the rightsholders selection process, SHG formation, all the way to the project implementation.
Islamic Relief Philippines remains committed to promoting sustainable development, resilience, and inclusive growth across vulnerable communities in the Philippines. ###
About Islamic Relief
Islamic Relief is a faith-based relief and development agency working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. We are United Kingdom-based with active presence in over 40 countries across the globe. Islamic Relief has been operating since 1984.
In the Philippines, Islamic Relief started operations in 2013 to respond to the needs of Typhoon Haiyan-affected families.
We are currently working in Mindanao particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the rest of the country implementing development projects, humanitarian response, and disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptation. We work closely with the most vulnerable people regardless of race, belief, age, gender and diversity.