In Photo: The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Davao held a press conference on Monday, April 7, to announce their various activities in line with the 2025 JCI Week from April 6 to 12. (Photo by Ivy Tejano)
DAVAO CITY – The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Davao is actively working to expand its membership nationwide to strengthen the organization and sustain its community outreach in the years ahead.
In a press conference on Monday, April 7, Darwin Mandante, 2025 president of the JCI based in Maragusan in Davao de Oro, admitted that retaining volunteer members remains a significant challenge in the JCI.
Another concern raised by Maui Maulana, the 2025 president of the JCI Greate Davao, was the limited resources, which is why the organization continues to partner with government agencies and the private sector.
With this, Dave John Matute, regional chair of the 2025 JCI Week in the Davao Region, said the 2025 JCI Week also focuses on strengthening the organization’s visibility across various regions through its programs.
Dubbed “Build Better Together,” Matute said this year’s celebration highlights their commitment to service and collaboration with local governments and various stakeholders apart from the rest of the week’s agenda.
Mandante said the success of the national organization and its regional chapters’ programs and projects is critical in re-engaging and encouraging the members and potential members to stay and act for the community.
“Since we’re a voluntary organization, it can be difficult to maintain active participation. Members are not obligated to stay, but as JCI operates with a strong passion for service, we hope this will inspire others to do the same,” he said.
Mandante explained that JCI’s local organizations are classified into three categories: Category 1 requires 76 members, while Category 3 requires at least 25. He said the JCI primarily focuses on recruiting individuals aged 18 to 40.
Bfab Bonifacio of the JCI Lakambina Davao said one of their goals in conducting many activities in line with JCI programs is to bridge the gap between the local government and the community, fostering collaboration and engagement.
“We call on young and talented individuals to join the movement and reinforce its commitment to community service. Let’s make a difference by giving back to our community,” Ralph dela Cerna of the JCI Davao Inc. said.
Jemima Ruth Matute, president of the JCI Malagos Davao, said JCI Week 2025 emphasizes the dedication of its members to making a meaningful impact on the community by working together towards a common goal.
JCI’s initiatives for this year’s event include bloodletting, medical missions, and job fairs. Jemima said they hope to inspire more people to participate in this meaningful mission of service and community development. (By Ivy Tejano)
