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Project Dungog: Pathways to Dignity brought free legal and medical assistance to more than 300 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm on March 21, 2026. Now in its 13th year as “Bilibid or Not,” the flagship community development project of JCI Kadayawan, this year’s edition brought together several JCI Local Organizations from across the Davao Region—including JCI Davao—in a unified push for dignity and reform. The annual project has become one of the region’s most anticipated collaborative efforts among JCI chapters.
What “Dungog” Means — and Why It Matters
In Bisaya, “dungog” means dignity or honor—a fitting name for a project built on the belief that every person, regardless of circumstance, deserves to be treated with respect.
For 13 years, “Bilibid or Not” has carried that same spirit, giving PDLs renewed access to legal processes and basic healthcare often out of reach behind prison walls. Over the years, the project has reached thousands of PDLs across Davao Region’s correctional facilities.
Free Legal Aid That Restores Hope
At the heart of Project Dungog was free legal consultation, document processing, and case review for PDLs—many of whom have spent years waiting for updates on their cases.
Volunteer lawyers worked alongside partner law firms to review case files, answer questions, and help PDLs understand the next steps toward resolution.
Why Legal Access Matters Behind Bars
Across the Philippines, many PDLs face long delays in their cases simply because they lack access to legal counsel or have difficulty keeping track of paperwork and court schedules.
Programs like Project Dungog help close that gap by bringing volunteer lawyers directly to facilities like the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, managed by the Bureau of Corrections.
General Check-Ups and Free Medicine for PDLs
Medical teams also provided general check-ups and distributed free medicine to PDLs throughout the day.
For many participants, these health services offered a rare opportunity for basic medical attention—a small but meaningful step toward better wellbeing while serving their sentences.
JCI Davao Joins Project Dungog
Among the JCI Local Organizations that joined this year’s Project Dungog was JCI Davao, which sent a delegation of eight members led by chapter president Marc Leo Emmanuel Esponilla.
Among the volunteers was a JCI Davao member-lawyer who directly assisted with the legal aid component. Other members supported the effort by screening PDLs ahead of their consultations, helping match each individual with the right volunteer lawyer and making the process smoother for everyone involved. Their participation reflected JCI Davao’s growing commitment to regional collaboration and community service.
A Region-Wide Collaboration
Project Dungog: Pathways to Dignity is led by JCI Kadayawan as part of its long-running “Bilibid or Not” project, now in its 13th year.
This year’s edition was made possible through the combined efforts of multiple JCI Local Organizations across the Davao Region. Co-hosting chapters included JCI Central Davao, JCI Lakambini Davao, JCI Panabo, JCI Kadayawan, JCI Maragusan Pyagsawitan, JCI Calinan Cacao, and JCI USEP, with JCI Davao among the chapters that sent volunteers to support the cause.
Living Out JCI’s Mission Through Community Development
Projects like Project Dungog reflect JCI’s broader commitment to community development as one of its core areas of focus, guided by the JCI Active Citizen Framework, which encourages members to design projects that address real needs and create lasting impact.
For JCI Davao, taking part in initiatives like “Bilibid or Not” is one more way its members live out that mission—extending dignity, legal support, and care to some of the most overlooked members of the community.
With 13 years of “Bilibid or Not” behind it, Project Dungog: Pathways to Dignity stands as a reminder that even small acts of service can restore a sense of hope and worth to those who need it most. Members and volunteers interested in joining future community development projects like this can connect with JCI Davao through its official social media channels.
