MAKATI CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) brought together national line agencies, local government units, higher educational institutions, industry associations, business support organizations, prominent personalities, and key stakeholders on 17 April 2024 at the Valero Grand Suites in Makati City to refine the Philippine Creative Industries Development (PCID) Plan.

The PCID Plan, which envisions the objectives, targets, strategies, and activities for developing and promoting the Philippine creative industries, is mandated under Republic Act No. 11904, known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA). It underscores the national government’s commitment to developing the creative industries and elevating Filipino creativity.

Under the leadership of DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual as the Chairperson of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) and DTI-Competitiveness and Innovation Group Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba as Supervising Undersecretary of the PCIDC Secretariat, the PCID Plan promises to be a groundbreaking blueprint for the Philippine creative economy, providing a detailed roadmap for sustained growth and enhanced competitiveness.

“Through this plan, our vision is to be Asia’s Premiere Creative Hub by 2030. We aim to make the Philippines the regional epicenter for talent, investment, and innovation by building a robust creative ecosystem, driving growth, building talent, and developing vibrant and sustainable creative industries. To guide us in our journey, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan is our strategic framework. It sets forth our objectives, targets, and strategies to achieve our vision” Usec. Aldaba shared.

The Philippines is banking on the strength of the strategies and intervention areas set forth under the Five-Pillar B.E.A.M.S. Framework designed to address current concerns and leverage opportunities within the more than 70 creative sectors. These Pillars include: Build creative ecosystems (Pillar 1); Empower creative workforce (Pillar 2); Accelerate inclusive innovation (Pillar 3); Mobilize financing support (Pillar 4); and Seize market opportunities (Pillar 5).

To ensure a comprehensive review of the proposed PICD Plan, DTI curated a panel of key discussants for each strategic pillar, ensuring expert insights across a wide spectrum of creative sectors. The discussions were led by Mr. Butch Carungay (Cebu Creative City) and Architect Ruth Equipaje (University of Santo Tomas) for Pillar 1. Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban (Department of Education) led the Pillar 2 conversation, while the Pillar 3 discussions involved Mr. James Ronald Lo (Game Developers Association of the Philippines) and Chancellor Benhur A. Ong (De La Salle-College of St. Benilde). Insights for the Pillar 4 were provided by Atty. Ivan Viktor Mendez (FILSCAP), Ms. Jaynie Pajarillaga (DTI Small Business Corporation), and Ms. Marlyn Montano (Animation Council of the Philippines). The Pillar 5 saw contributions from Dir. Emmy Lou Delfin (Department of Information and Communications Technology) and Ms. Ma. Teresa Loring (DTI Export Marketing Bureau).

Ensuring an open, dynamic and informed dialogue on each aspect of the PCID Plan, the Validation Session was held both in-person and online, engaging 160 participants, which include Assistant Secretary Paul Vincent Uy, Deputy Assistant Secretary Gonaranao Musor, and Acting Director Emmylou Felimer (Department of Foreign Affairs); Ms. Pierre Angelica Rañon (Department of Budget Management), Mr. Nong Rangasa (Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development Holdings Incorporation), Mr. Kevin Ansel Dy (National Book Development Board), Mr. Reuel Ruiz Jr. (Quezon City Government–Local Economic and Investment Promotions Office), Mr. Michael William Del Rosario (TESDA), Ms. Lindsay Barrietos (UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines), Mr. Rosstyn Fallorina (United Nations Development Programme), Mr. Paul Alexander Morales (Artists’ Welfare Project, Inc.), Atty. Jocel Isidro Dilag (Bughaw Creative Collective), Mr. Leo Martinez (Doon Po Sa Amin), Dr. Glecy Atienza, Ph.D. and Mr. Dennis de la Torre (University of the Philippines Resilience Institute–Research and Creative Work), and Ms. Marla Rausch (SIKAP-Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines), to name a few.

The PCID Plan Validation Session is as part of the Creative C.H.A.T.S. (Collaborative Huddles and Townhall Sessions) Series, an initiative under the DTI’s Malikhaing Pinoy Program to support its evidence-based policy-making efforts and industry-driven program development exercises geared towards strengthening the country’s creative industries. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the creative industries’ contribution in 2023 is Php 1.72 trillion which accounted for 7.1% of the gross domestic product of the country.

Learn more about other DTI programs on innovation and creativity through the DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group and DTI Bureau of Industry Planning and Innovation Facebook pages. ♦

Date of release: 22 April 2024