Nueva Vizcaya has been selected as a pilot local government unit for the three‑year Innovative Leadership for Equitable & Accessible Democracy (iLEAD) program, a Catalyste+ initiative to strengthen digital governance, civic participation, and transparency.
The designation was confirmed during a meeting at the Office of the Governor, where Governor Jing Gambito met with Catalyste+ Senior Program Manager–Asia Jane Imai and her team to discuss plans for implementation.
They were joined by EGovernance for Institutions Inc. President & CEO Albert Emmanuel Permalino as well as personnel from the Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PROCEDE).
Gambito welcomed the initiative.
“We will coordinate closely with Catalyste+ and PROCEDE to ensure these resources reach our municipalities and barangays.”
“This program will be a tremendous help to Nueva Vizcaya — it will accelerate and improve our digital services, expand opportunities for citizen participation in policymaking, and foster more transparent and accountable governance so our communities see real, tangible benefits. We will coordinate closely with Catalyste+ and PROCEDE to ensure these resources reach our municipalities and barangays,” the governor said.
Catalyste+ is a Canadian economic development organization that provides mentorship and advisory services to strengthen local skills and organizational capacities in emerging countries and Indigenous communities around the world. The iLEAD program in the Philippines is one of its efforts to support local governments in modernizing digital systems and boosting civic engagement.
Juditte Asuncion, head of PROCEDE, whose office is tasked with overseeing the program’s implementation, said the meeting laid out the project’s objectives and implementation plan, secured leadership commitment, and strengthened partnerships to advance digital governance and inclusive development across the province.
“In addition to the provincial government, the municipalities of Aritao and Kasibu will also serve as pilot LGUs for iLEAD.”
Asuncion added that, in addition to the provincial government, the municipalities of Aritao and Kasibu will also serve as pilot local government units (LGUs) for iLEAD.
Under the Year 1 plan, PROCEDE will host an IT Hub to serve as a center for technology development, skills training, capacity building, and the review and updating of the provincial Information System Strategic Plan (ISSP). Catalyste+, through partner EGovernance, has committed technical assistance and equipment, including three desktop computers and two laptops; PROCEDE will provide office space, personnel, and funds for operations and maintenance.
A tentative timeline schedules equipment setup and turnover and initial staff trainings in September–October 2025; community and civil society training on digital tools in November 2025; and training on the POSAM inventory system in January–February 2026. Additional technical assistance is planned for Years 2 and 3 (2026–2028).
