PEACE-MAKER
After many years in Philippine politics and in political party and parliamentary diplomacy in the international community, we have spent the last three years just observing political events and developments.
We are heartened that our son, Congressman Christopher, has continued our and our wife Gina’s legacy in the fourth district of Pangasinan. More importantly, he has carved his own niche in public service, focusing on advocacies that are close to his heart – arts, culture, and the creative industries.
We take pride and joy in his work, like championing the cause of the creative industries, for which he authored the landmark Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which became law last June 2022.
He explained that the said industries have employed some seven million Filipinos and generated ₱1.6 trillion, representing 7.3 percent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2022.
He pointed out that “the creative sector encompasses a vast spectrum of fields – audiovisual media, digital interactive media, creative services, design, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.”
He told us that following the enactment into law of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, every September of the year has been designated as the Philippine Creative Industries Month, adding that September is also celebrated as Philippine Film Industry Month.
Last Monday, Sept. 11, he delivered a privilege speech in the House of Representatives “to underscore the immense role of the said industries in economic growth and nation-building.”
He stated that “it is fitting and proper that we recognize and appreciate the enormous contribution of the creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and stakeholders in the creative industries,” and explained that “given that the Philippines is home to millions of skilled, creative, and talented individuals, its creative economy has the potential to generate more income and jobs through establishing linkages within creative sectors, to produce original Filipino content and intellectual properties.” He pointed out that “creative industries do more than just entertain us. They inspire innovation, challenge the status quo, and help shape our future. They are the heartbeat of our society’s imagination, and their impact is immeasurable.”
He added that “creative minds have the remarkable ability to turn ideas into reality; to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary; and to bridge gaps between diverse cultures and perspectives. The power of creativity knows no boundaries. It transcends race, language, creed, politics, and geography.”
Congressman Christopher also authored the recently enacted Cultural Mapping Law or Republic Act No. 11961 and the One Town One Product Law or Republic Act No. 11960.
He explained that under the Cultural Mapping Law, “our creative workers engaged in producing traditional cultural goods and services are now better equipped in their trade through the institutionalization of cultural mapping by all Local Government Units (LGUs).”
He said “a wide array of cultural resources will now be readily available to our creators through the Philippine Registry of Heritage, which serves as a repository of all cultural properties of the country deemed locally and nationally significant. The national registry will likewise guide the government’s agencies in formulating plans, programs, and policies intended to develop the country’s historical and cultural heritage, as well as the creative industries.”
He added that “the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and other cultural agencies are now empowered to provide technical and financial assistance to LGUs which will empower them to better safeguard traditions and assign cultural value to properties that they hold meaningful to their identity.”
On the One TownOne Product Law, he explained that “it institutionalizes the OTOP Program that promotes local products and capacitates MSMEs through developing indigenous raw materials, utilizing local skills and talents, and featuring local traditions and cultures across the country.”
He said the law “addresses gaps in entrepreneurial skills, market compliance to preserve the OTOP brand as a mark of excellence, and access to local and foreign markets. It tasks the DTI to serve as the lead agency in coming up with a set of criteria for OTOP products that are consistent with cultural values, derived sources from the community, evoke a sense of connection among locals, and exemplify Filipinos’ creativity and innovations, among many others.”
He told his fellow House members in his privilege speech that he is not only “a staunch advocate of creative industries but as someone who believes in the country’s power to express creativity as a driving force for change, innovation, and progress.”
He concluded that the Philippine Creative Industries Month“is not just a celebration, but a commemoration of the boundless power of human imagination, innovation and creativity.”
(Below is the Full text of the privilege speech of Rep. Christopher V.P. de Venecia)
PRIVILEGE SPEECH
of
HON. CHRISTOPHER V.P. DE VENECIA
Representative, Fourth District of Pangasinan;
Chairperson, House of Representatives Special Committee on the Creative Industries;
Principal Author, Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (Republic Act No. 11904)
in celebration of the
Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM)
House of Representatives; Sept.11, 2023
Greetings
Mr. Speaker; distinguished colleagues:
Masantos ya agew ed si kayon amin! Greetings in creativity!
First off, may I once again applaud Bataan 3rd District Rep. Maria Angela Garcia for showcasing the local talent of Dinalupihan, Bataan - - the Jose de Piro Kabataan Orkestra - - which played the Lupang Hinirang and Doxology and regaled House Members with timeless pieces at the plenary hall last September 4. Thank you, Cong Gila, Cong Abet, and Cong Jet for bringing these talented youths stakeholders in the performing arts domain as part of the creative economy framework. With them, truly The Future Is Creative.
May I also commend the Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. led by chairperson Yedda Marie Romualdez and president Linabelle Ruth Villarica for the upcoming art exhibit, “Sining Sa Kongreso: An Art Exhibit of Masters, Modern Masters and Contemporary Filipino Artists” from September 18 to 28. This event, chaired by Congresswomen Josie Limkaichong and Stella Quimbo, is a partnership with Mira Art Gallery and Project Hulmahan where part of the proceeds will be devoted to charitable projects, including the construction of a structure at the National Center for Mental Health in support of the Philippine Mental Health Law. The exhibit also supports the celebration of the Philippine Creative Industries Month as visual arts is one of the prestigious domains in the creative economy.
The role and contribution of the creative industries in economic development, nation-building, and creativity
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues: I stand before you today to enjoin all of you to celebrate the vibrant and dynamic realm of human expression - - the creative industries.
Following the enactment into law of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act or Republic Act No. 11904, every September of the year has been designated as the Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM). September is also celebrated as Philippine Film Industry Month!
It is thus with great joy that we kicked off the PCIM last September 3 to underscore the immense role of the said industries in economic growth in nation-building. PCIM also serves as an avenue to promote the creative output of the sector - - the goods, services.
Among the notable events being celebrated this month are:
- Fiestakucha, which is inspired by the combination of the Filipino tradition called “Fiestas” and the Japanese storytelling style coined as “Pechakucha.”
This event serves as a platform for the celebration, promotion, and enrichment of the diversity of talent and creativity in the various regions of the country through exhibitions, performances, competitions, and workshops.
Specifically, it will be held in Leyte, the home province of our beloved Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Tingog Rep. Yedda Romualdez and thank you to Cong Anna Veloso Tuazon for the invitation to speak at their launch; Cebu (our UNESCO Creative City of Design) which successfully launched last Friday, Davao, the home province of our beloved Vice President Inday Sara Duterte, and Baguio (our UNESCO Creative City for Craft and Folk Art).
In our very own province, we formally opened the Banaag Provincial Museum in Lingayen through the staunch initiative of Governor Monmon Guico III and so I celebrate along with my kabaleyan and welcome this new storied institution to our cultural landscape as it not only preserves our province’s heritage and celebrates our prestigious anakbanwas but it also emphasizes on museums as cultural sites that can generate revenue and provide livelihood to our creative workers as part of the creative economy framework.
2. “Lunsod Lunsad: A Call for Creative Proposals towards Building Creative Cities,” a project that encourages the cities to submit programs, projects, and activities that support creative and innovative initiatives and promotes socio-economic development through its local creative assets. From these submissions, the DTI shall carefully select PPAs that will receive funding and technical support for as much as 3 million pesos. We encourage all our LGUs and local chief executives to apply for this competitive grant program.
3. International Design Conference organized by the Design Center of the Philippines, which seeks to embark on a design revolution where visionary speakers and cutting-edge insights will reshape approach to design leadership.
4. Taglay Pinoy, a program in partnership with DTI-CITEM and Regional Operations Group through the initiative of Former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco where select MSMEs will receive content creation grants to upscale their businesses and pivot them to e-commerce and online.
5. Young Content Creators Challenge, an initiative of Senator Imee Marcos, which celebrates and showcases creative Filipino talents in music, film, animation, graphic novels, theater plays, and game development.
For other events, you may visit PCIM’s website: www.pcim.com.
Tribute to creative workers
As you may all know, the Philippine creative industries have employed 6.98 million Filipinos in 2022, higher by 10.5 percent from 6.32 million in 2021.
The said industries encompass a vast spectrum of fields - - audiovisual media, digital interactive media, creative services, design, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, traditional cultural expressions, and cultural sites.
In this light, it is fitting and proper that we recognize and appreciate the enormous contribution of the creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers, and stakeholders in the creative industries.
Given that the Philippines is home to millions of skilled, creative, and talented individuals, its creative economy has the potential to generate more income and jobs through establishing linkages within creative sectors, to produce original Filipino content and intellectual properties.
Acclaim to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
We laud President Bongbong Marcos for his steadfast support to the promotion and development of the creative industries as a driver of economic growth and our post-pandemic recovery and for acknowledging the world-class Filipino creativity, which he expressed in his first and second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He stated that the creative industries, among others, will drive the quality and competitiveness of our workforce in existing markets and in new ones waiting to be explored.
Earlier this week, he made mention of supporting creative industries at the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia and I quote: “Let us bolster support for the increased participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises, and start-ups in the digital and creative economies. Creativity and innovation are the way to the future. Let us strengthen collaboration and align our policies, including establishing a regional scope of the creative economy, closing financial gaps, and managing digital readiness capacities.”
The power of creativity
Mr. Speaker; distinguished colleagues: The creative industries do more than just entertain us. They inspire innovation, challenge the status quo, and help shape our future. They are the heartbeat of our society’s imagination, and their impact is immeasurable.
The creative industries are a wellspring of economic growth. As you may all know, the sector contributed 7.3 percent to the country’s GDP or 1.6 trillion pesos in 2022, representing an increase of 12.1 percent from P1.43 trillion in 2021.
The creative industries are indeed the fastest developing sector in the world. So much so that the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 mentioned and discussed the creative industries over 80 times highlighting their growing contribution to the country’s economic development.
Creative minds have the remarkable ability to turn ideas into reality; to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary; and to bridge gaps between diverse cultures and perspectives.
The power of creativity knows no boundaries. It transcends race, language, creed, politics, and geography.
Cultural mapping law
Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues: The enactment of Philippine Creative Industries Development Act was only the beginning of our quest for a creative future.
Indeed, we have made great strides since we first took the reins of championing the Philippine creative industries.
Among them is the recent enactment of the Cultural Mapping Law or Republic Act No. 11961.
Under the law, our creative workers engaged in producing traditional cultural goods and services are now better equipped in their trade through the institutionalization of cultural mapping by all Local Government Units (LGUs).
A wide array of cultural resources will now be readily available to our creators through the Philippine Registry of Heritage, which serves as a repository of all cultural properties of the country deemed locally and nationally significant. The national registry will likewise guide the government’s agencies in formulating plans, programs, and policies intended to develop the country’s historical and cultural heritage, as well as the creative industries.
What’s more, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and other cultural agencies are now empowered to provide technical and financial assistance to LGUs which will empower them to better safeguard traditions and assign cultural value to properties that they hold meaningful to their identity.
One Town One Product (OTOP) law
Another win for the creative industries is the recent enactment of the One Town One Product Law or Republic Act No. 11960.
The law institutionalizes the OTOP Program that promotes local products and capacitates MSMEs through developing indigenous raw materials, utilizing local skills and talents, and featuring local traditions and cultures across the country.
It addresses gaps in entrepreneurial skills, market compliance to preserve the OTOP brand as a mark of excellence, and access to local and foreign markets. It tasks the DTI to serve as the lead agency in coming up with a set of criteria for OTOP products that are consistent with cultural values, derived sources from the community, evoke a sense of connection among locals, and exemplify Filipinos’ creativity and innovations, among many others.
Call to action
While we continue to reach milestones, there is more work to be done. It is for this reason that we continue to explore ways and means of bringing to the fore and addressing the needs of the creative industries. But these initiatives require resources - - for which I respectfully and earnestly appeal for a substantial increase in the budget allocation of the creative industries.
In the previous GAA, we have allocated a total of P410 million for the promotion and development of the creative industries through the Malikhaing Pinoy Program spearheaded by the DTI, in compliance with the law. Again, we thank Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and the House leadership and Senators Koko Pimentel and Imee Marcos for this collective amount in the 2023 GAA. In the NEP FY 2024, there is a recommendation of 50M - a marked difference compared to the 2023 NEP of zero allocation.
Mr. Speaker, as we move forward, allow me to solicit the support of the leadership and of you, my distinguished colleagues, to capitalize on our recognized strength in the creative sector and help improve the conditions of our creative workers by augmenting this budget to equal if not higher amounts than the 2023 GAA so that we can achieve the goals of PCIDA - that is for the Philippines to become the #1 creative economy in ASEAN by 2030.
The future is creative
Mr. Speaker; distinguished colleagues: Today, I stand before you not only as a staunch advocate of creative industries but as someone who believes in the country’s power to express creativity as a driving force for change, innovation, and progress.
During this Philippine Creative Industries Month celebration, let us honor the artists who paint our world, the musicians who compose the soundtrack of our lives, the filmmakers who transport us to different worlds, the designers who make the mundane wonderful, and all the other creatives for their significant contribution to nation-building.
This month is not just a celebration, it is a commemoration of the boundless power of human imagination, innovation and creativity
Let us embrace this month with open hearts and minds, and let the creative spirit within each of us flourish. For truly, the future is creative. Again, Happy Philippine Creative Industries Month to all of you, Happy Philippine Film Industry Month at that, at mabuhay ang mga malikhaing Pinoy!