DAGUPAN CITY -- Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher De Venecia was grateful President Marcos Jr. made special mention of the so-called ‘creative industries’ in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25.

De Venecia noted that the President is determined to implement the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act to its fullest.

“The additional emphasis on the Filipino brand of tourism is most welcome because it points to a shift in how we conduct and communicate tourism nationwide,” said De Venecia.

The congressman believed that President Marcos’ pronouncement is a manifestation of support to Filipino freelancers across the country, citing that many in the creative sector are freelancers.

“With this, I appeal for the passage of the Freelancers Protection Act,” the congressman stressed.

Among the priorities the President mentioned in his SONA was the agriculture sector.

The President, he said, showed his resolve to strengthen the production value chains, new modes of crop farming and livestock raising, and institutionalized credit access for farmers.

Again the congressman also welcomed the national network for farm to market roads and the need to cultivate a new breed of farmers, not just an innovation-forward breed of farmers but also for agricultural youth.

“Relatedly, I appeal for the passage of our young farmers and fisherfolk challenge program bill,” he said.

De Venecia then lauded the President and his advisers on the emphasis on the value chains of the economy with matching subsidized inputs and production boosting, and the scientific approach to improving livestock raising and farming.