The National Innovation Council through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Innovation Monitoring Team paid a courtesy visit to Governor Carlos M. Padilla on March 9, 2023 at his office, New Executive Building, Capitol, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
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 amounting to Php2.8M last 2022. The Monitoring Team include 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 on December 2022, 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. It aimed 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 businesses. Consequently, the said project is aligned with the PRAYERS N’ FAITH of the current administration, particularly the “Networking and Linkaging” agenda.
It is worth mentioning that the PGNV was 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, the NEDA Monitoring Team said that the PGNV was one of the few proponents which has successfully implemented its Innovation Project in the country, given that it was only implemented for two months. This positive news is a manifestation of Governor Padilla’s leadership and commitment to providing innovative solutions and transformative initiatives that unlocks new opportunities for local and national development and sustainable growth. The Governor told the NEDA team his aspiration that Nueva Vizcaya will not only be the “Gateway to Cagayan Valley” but the “Destination of the Cagayan Valley”, quoting the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) Volunteer Advisor 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 beneficiaries and project team including various department offices (i.e., the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Treasury Office, Provincial Accounting Office, Provincial Legal Office, Bids and Awards Committee and Governor’s Office) of the PGNV to gather inputs and/or feedbacks including best practices in the implementation of the project. They also visited key components of the project, particularly the incubation centers in the province (i.e. Saint Mary’s University and Nueva Vizcaya State University) and the Nueva Vizcaya OTOP Hub.
The activity ended with an exit conference of the NEDA team with the project team led by PCAO Asuncion. According to the result of the monitoring activity, the PGNV sufficiently and reasonably satisfied the compliance, documentary, and performance requirement audit with special notes for good practices in the implementation. #mvs
Governor Carlos M. Padilla (center) warmly welcomes the NEDA Team 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 (in green polo shirt).
