A digital skills project for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro was recognized as a Champion Project in the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes.

The project was called “Project PAG-ASA: Beyond Bars – Unlocking Opportunities through Digital Skills Training.” It is a joint initiative of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) MIMAROPA and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) MIMAROPA.

The project teaches digital skills to PDLs at the Calapan City District Jail to help them reintegrate into society and find better opportunities after release.

“Project PAG-ASA reflects BJMP MIMAROPA’s dedication to transforming lives through education and technology. By providing PDLs with digital skills, we prepare them for reintegration and empower them to build a brighter future,” Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, Regional Information Officer of BJMP MIMAROPA, said.

Out of hundreds of global entries, only 72 projects were selected as WSIS Champions under 18 categories.

Anglo said the award recognizes efforts that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those that promote inclusive education and digital access.

The final 18 WSIS winners will be announced on July 10, 2025, during the awarding ceremony at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, Switzerland.

The WSIS+20 High-Level Event will be held from July 7 to 11.

The WSIS is a multistakeholder United Nations process aimed at fostering inclusive and development-oriented information societies.

It is a two-phase United Nations (UN) summit, first introduced by Tunisia to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary in 1998.

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