Foundation University Outstanding Alumnus 2024 in the field of economy and social development Jo-Dann Nodado Darong completed recently the 2025 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the United States State Department’s most premier professional exchange program.
Darong is Director III of the Bureau of Competitive Development and concurrently serves as acting Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat of the Department of Trade and Industry.
He joined seven other fellow emerging leaders from the ASEAN in an intensive three-week program focused on global stability, democratic governance, and legal cooperation. The program ran from May 31 to June 21 that took delegates across several states, including Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Georgia, and Washington State.
Throughout the program, Darong engaged in high-level dialogues with US government officials, academic leaders, think tanks, and business councils. The discussions tackled timely issues, spanning from regional security, legal and governance reforms, and trade and investment promotion to sustainable development.
Darong, whose vast experiences in initiating innovations for the Philippine government as these resonate worldwide, shared and expounded on such programs like the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, the Malikhaing Pinoy, the Tatak Pinoy, and the country’s push for innovation and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
In a statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Department of Trade and Industry, Darong articulated: “This program was a powerful learning experience and a unique platform to share our stories and strengths as a nation. I return with new perspectives and renewed energy to champion inclusive growth, creative industries, and stronger global partnerships for the Philippines.”
The IVLP is a highly selective program that has welcomed some 230,000 alumni worldwide since its inception in 1940, including heads of state, Nobel laureates, and prominent global leaders. IVLP exchange alumni include more than 500 current or former heads of government or chiefs of state, 1,600 current or former Cabinet members, and 1,000 current or former members of Parliament.
The current Prime Minister of Jamaica, H.E. Andrew Holness and the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, H.E. Margaret Thatcher are among the prominent IVLP alumni,
Participants in the program are nominated by US embassies worldwide and selected by the US Department of State, making it both exclusive and highly respected globally.
In Washington, D.C., the delegation met with the top officials of the US-ASEAN Center, US Department of State, US-ASEAN Business Council, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Sister Cities International, and the International Law Institute, laying the foundation for diplomatic and strategic dialogue.
The delegation then traveled to New Hampshire where they engaged with the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services, the Supreme Court, and local civic organizations such as the Rockingham Planning Commission and Granite State Organizing Project, gaining insights into local governance and civic engagement.
The itinerary of Georgia included institutions like The Carter Center, Emory Law School, and the Georgia Research Alliance, highlighting themes of transparency, public health, and research-driven development.
The program concluded in Seattle with meetings and visits to the Border Policy Research Institute, the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Council, and the Small Business Development Center, offering a deep dive into regional economic cooperation, border control, and trade negotiations. In the post of the Department of Trade and Industry released on July 11 on its official Facebook page, the agency “looks forward to seeing his insights shape future initiatives that boost Philippine competitiveness and innovation.” | With reports from the Department of Trade and Industry
