IN one of the largest humanitarian initiatives organized during Eid al-Adha in the southern Philippines, the Turkish Filipino Friendship and Solidarity Association (TUFIFSA), under the guidance of Dr. Mehmet Rıza Derindağ, announced that Turkish humanitarian organizations and their local partners will distribute again meat, rice, and vegetables to nearly 100,000 families across the Mindanao region.
The campaign, which includes the sacrifice of approximately 1,000 cattle during Eid al-Adha, is expected to reach some of the most disadvantaged and conflict-affected communities in the southern Philippines.
Speaking to our newspaper, Dr. Derindağ emphasized that the initiative is not merely a charity operation, but also a message of peace, coexistence, and human solidarity.
“We believe in peace, mutual understanding, compassion, and the culture of living together,” he said. “We see ourselves as the children of Adam, the nation of Abraham, and the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. At the same time, we regard followers of other religions and beliefs as our neighbors — people whom we are commanded to love and respect, in the spirit beautifully expressed in the teachings of Jesus the Messiah عليه السلام.”
A Humanitarian Network Built Over Decades
Founded in 2009, Turkish Filipino Friendship and Solidarity Association (TUFIFSA) has become one of the most active bridges between Türkiye and the Philippines in the fields of humanitarian aid, education, intercultural dialogue, and development cooperation.
Over the past sixteen years, the organization — together with Turkish and international humanitarian partners — has reached hundreds of thousands of Filipino families across various islands of the country.
Tufifsa President Madame Sally Ann G. Tayaban has expressed that “TUFIFSA works closely with respected humanitarian organizations including:
* Aziz Mahmud Hudayi Foundation
* IHH Netherlands
* Serhendi Australia
* Çare Derneği
Their joint activities range from:
* emergency disaster response,
* Ramadan food assistance,
* Eid al-Adha Qurbani programs,
* orphan sponsorships,
* educational support,
* and long-term community development projects.
Association’s Board Member Angelo Uybaan (Muhammad Easa) added that “beyond humanitarian aid, the association has also established educational institutions in multiple regions stretching from Luzon to Mindanao, contributing to social development and intercultural understanding in underserved communities.”
Economic Bridges Between Türkiye and the Philippines
Dr. Derindağ, who also serves as the President of MÜSİAD Philippines, noted that humanitarian cooperation has gradually evolved into broader economic and diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
According to him, Türkiye and the Philippines are witnessing growing cooperation in:
* trade,
* agriculture,
* manpower development,
* halal industries,
* and sustainable investments.
Dr. Derindağ is involved in several business initiatives in the Philippines, particularly in:
* real estate development,
* coffee and cacao investments,
* and the export of Philippine products such as coconut-based goods and dried tropical fruits to Türkiye, Malaysia, and Europe.
He also founded a manpower and human resources company that has provided employment opportunities for thousands of Filipino workers in Türkiye, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
“Humanitarian relations eventually become economic relations, and economic relations strengthen diplomatic ties,” Dr. Derindağ explained. “When nations know each other through compassion, trust naturally follows.”
“A Bridge of Hearts”
Observers in the region increasingly describe the growing cooperation between Türkiye and the Philippines as a unique example of people-centered diplomacy — where humanitarian assistance, education, trade and intercultural respect move together.
For many communities in Mindanao, Turkish organizations have become familiar partners not only during times of crisis, but also in projects focused on education, food security, livelihood and long-term social development.
As Eid al-Adha approaches, thousands of volunteers, local leaders, imams, teachers and community representatives are preparing for what may become one of the largest coordinated Qurbani and food distribution campaigns ever organized in parts of Mindanao.
And at the center of this effort stands a message repeatedly emphasized by Dr. Derindağ: “Our mission is not only to deliver food. Our mission is to build bridges between hearts, cultures, and nations.”
