NEDA pays courtesy visit to the Governor

The National Innovation Council through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Innovation Monitoring Team (IMT) paid a courtesy visit to Governor Carlos M. Padilla on March 9, 2023 at his office, New Executive Building, Provincial Capitol.

The purpose of the visit was to verify the performance and validate compliance of the project Vizcaya Optimization of Incubation Centers for Economic Sustainability (VOICES), which was given a grant of Php2.8M in 2022.

Composing the IMT were Senior Economic Development Specialist Karen Paula Inoncillo and Economic Development Specialist Regina Alyssa Bargola, Alexis Glenn Espinosa and Michael Roy Soliman.

It can be recalled that last December, the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) through the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development (PROCEDE) Office headed by Ms. Juditte L. Asuncion, Provincial Cooperative Affairs Officer (PCAO) initiated the “Vizcaya Optimization of Incubation Centers for Economic Sustainability” (VOICES) Project. Its aim is to create an enabling environment for Micro, Small, and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs)and other stakeholders to collaborate, be proactive, innovative, and more productive, and have long-term directions for their existing and potential business endeavors. The said project is aligned with the PRAYERS N’ FAITH public administration and governance of the PGNV of the current administration, particularly its “Networking and Linkaging” component.

The PGNV takes pride of being one of the few beneficiaries that passed the screening process out of the 451 applicants that submitted proposals for funding under the said program.

During the courtesy visit, IMT reported that the PGNV is one of the few beneficiaries that have successfully implemented their Innovation Project in a relatively short span of time. This positive news is a manifestation of Governor Padilla’s leadership and commitment to providing innovative solutions and transformative initiatives that help unlock new opportunities for local and national development and sustainable growth.

In response, the Governor told the IMT his aspiration that Nueva Vizcaya will not only be the “Gateway to Cagayan Valley” but a “Destination in the Cagayan Valley”, quoting Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) Volunteer Adviser Ira Bernard Teich. He also emphasized the role of the innovation program in the protection and sustainable development of the environment and agriculture in the country.

After the courtesy visit, the NEDA Monitoring Team also met with the project’s team and beneficiaries, along with PGNV key people from various offices i.e., Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Treasury Office, Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Legal Office, Bids and Awards Committee and Governor’s Office, to gather inputs and/or feedbacks including best practices in the implementation of the project. The IMT also visited key components of the project, particularly the incubation centers in the province at the Saint Mary’s University and Nueva Vizcaya State University, and the Nueva Vizcaya OTOP Hub.

The IMT’s activity ended with an exit conference with the project team led by PCAO Asuncion. As reported by the IMT, the PGNV sufficiently and reasonably satisfied the compliance, documentary, and performance requirement audit with special notes on its good project implementation practices. #mvs

Governor Carlos M. Padilla (center) warmly welcomes the NEDA Innovation Monitoring Team (IMT) during their courtesy visit on March 9, 2023 at the Provincial Capitol. With them are Ms. Juditte L. Asuncion, Provincial Cooperative Affairs Officer (standing beside Governor Padilla), and Mr. Roel P. Dolaypan, Project Development Officer IV (extreme left).