PANGASINAN REPRESENTATIVE
CHRISTOPHER V.P. DE VENECIA
(Remarks of Rep. Christopher V.P. de Venecia at the 3rd World Conference on Creative Economy in Bali, Indonesia on Oct. 5-7, 2022.)
As an advocate for the creative industries, I am elated with the most recent agreement on the development and promotion of the creative economy between the Philippines and Indonesia.
Under the bilateral cooperation, which was signed during the state visit of resident Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to Indonesia last month, our two countries agreed on, among others, “exchanging information on market research and policy trends, programs, education, training, and/or capacity building; sharing of experiences and/or best practices on the promotion of trade and investment; facilitating co-production and co-branding programs and mutually supporting the production and marketing of creative products, goods, and services.” In the spirit of creativity, I am excited for this landmark collaboration between both our countries.
The Philippine Creative Industries Development law
I am likewise pleased to inform you that we in the Philippines have enacted a law developing the sector called the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which I principally authored in the House of Representatives.
The law mandates government support for the promotion and development of Philippine creatives by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and other stakeholders in the creative industries through scholarships, digital support, infrastructure, incentives, marketing support, and other value chain interventions It will also enhance the global competitiveness of local creatives to make our creative goods and services, and our Filipino intellectual property more attractive to the international market.
With the enactment of the landmark law, the creative domains have become a cornerstone of the Philippines’ post-pandemic recovery, a harbinger of economic progress, and a catalyst for sustainable development.
Philippine Creative Cities Network
A key feature of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act is the institutionalization of the Philippine Creative Cities Network or the PCCN.
With the intention of galvanizing local governments to partner up with their grassroots creative stakeholders on programs, projects, and activities that would promote tourism, stimulate urban or peri-urban renewal through creativity, preserve cultural heritage, and generate livelihood among other indicators, the PCCN serves as both incubator and accelerator for cities on the cusp of joining the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
The Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Bloc
And in my earnest desire to advance legislation and policies concerning arts and culture and the creative industries, I conceived and established in 2019 the Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Bloc, or ACCIB, in the House of Representatives.
This informal and non-partisan alliance of legislators is founded on the belief that culture and arts are important aspects of our society. They are the reflection of the collective identity of a nation and its people. It is likewise deeply intertwined with the creative industries, comprising viable sectors that could greatly contribute to the economic development of our country.
ACCIB is now composed of 38 members, including several committee chairpersons, three Deputy Speakers, a former Speaker of the House, renowned economists, and even movie actors turned politicians who have worked closely with the sector.
Parliamentary cooperation on creative economy
We meet at this conference to discuss case studies, share best practices, and find mutual avenues for cooperation and support on how to develop the sector.
We are stronger when we are together, and perhaps this is proof of the adage that there is unity and diversity.
But to complement the efforts of individual governments, the UN system, international and regional organizations, other stakeholders, we the members of parliament in Asia and the international community can consider creating an inter-parliamentary platform for cooperation, networking, and exchange in best legislative policies on creative economy.
After all, creative industries can only scale if they enjoy the support of government in addressing barriers to entry and pain points in their respective value chains.
Through such platform, we can thus formulate legislative roadmaps for the development of the creative domains as reflected in the UNCTAD framework for creative industries which include audiovisual media, digital interactive media, creative services, design, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.
And through inter-parliamentary collaboration, we can help design national and international strategies to successfully harness the vast potential of the creative industries to create value, contribute to GDP, create jobs, attract investments, and generate intellectual property towards IP ecology.
Creative economy’s role in post Covid-19 recovery
The pandemic forced us to reflect on the extraordinary role and colossal contribution of the creative industries to our economy and our society. Such that, if creative industries were to go on strike or if nations would experience a creative blackout, what might that even look like? Or can society function without creativity? Probably not.
Undoubtedly, the creative economy is a gigantic resource for economic growth and employment, especially for the youth, women, and other vulnerable sectors in our society.
Furthermore, it is a harbinger of building human capital, harnessing creativity and innovation, as well as sustainable development. Creativity being the ultimate sustainable resource can bring cultural heritage into the exciting future with new forms, cross-overs, and collaborations. In essence, creativity is our future heritage.
The future is creative
A creative future should not be left to chance. It is planned, not dreamed. It is organized, not whimsical. It is taken seriously, and not treated as an afterthought.
Let us, therefore, work together in providing our creative industries the utmost support that they deserve by enacting legislation, institutionalizing policies, and initiating programs for their promotion and development.
After all, a creative future is safe, sustainable, advanced, vibrant, and happy – for all. Because truly,
#TheFutureIsCreative.