The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) proudly announces that Director III Jo-Dann N. Darong, from the Bureau of Competitive Development and concurrently serving as Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat, has completed the 2025 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. State Department’s most premier professional exchange program.

Director III Darong joined seven (7) other fellow emerging leaders from ASEAN in an intensive three-week program focused on Global Stability, Democratic Governance, and Legal Cooperation. The program, which ran from May 31 to June 21, 2025, took delegates across states, including Washington, D.C., New Hampshire, Georgia, and Washington State.

Throughout the program, Director III Darong engaged in high-level dialogues with U.S. 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. He took the opportunity to share Philippine experiences through various DTI initiatives, including the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), Malikhaing Pinoy, Tatak Pinoy, and the country’s push for innovation and support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “This program was a powerful learning experience and a unique platform to share our stories and strengths as a nation,” Director III Darong said. “I return with new perspectives and renewed energy to champion inclusive growth, creative industries, and stronger global partnerships for the Philippines,” he added.

The IVLP is a highly selective program that has welcomed over 230,000 alumni worldwide since its inception in 1940, including heads of state, Nobel laureates, and prominent global leaders. IVLP exchange alumni include over 500 current or former heads of government or chiefs of state, 1,600 current or former cabinet ministers, 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 IVLP are nominated by

U.S. embassies worldwide and selected by the U.S. Department of State, making the program both exclusive and highly respected globally.

In Washington, D.C., the delegation met with the top officials of the U.S.-ASEAN Center, U.S. 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.

DTI extends its congratulations to Director III Darong for this remarkable achievement and looks forward to seeing his insights shape future initiatives that boost Philippine competitiveness and innovation. ♦

Date of Release: 11 July 2025