#MINDANAO
My March 25 column discussed how large this creative economy has grown to a whopping ₱1.72 trillion, already contributing 7.1 percent to our country’s Gross Domestic Product. I have to say that the growth of this sector just shows how naturally creative and adaptive we are as Filipinos. To delve further into this, I would like to discuss a law that can harness this industry further. In the early 2023 I wrote about Republic Act 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act or PCIDA Law
(https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/20/diversity-and-the-creative-industry/) and how it aims to harness the creative economy, which includes actors, designers, musicians and artists, dancers and other enterprises concerned with culture.
With recent growth in this sector there clearly is an opportunity to create sustainable livelihoods for many more, especially in the rural areas where the agribusiness and tourism sectors are substantial components of the local economy. The creative economy strongly complements the growth of these sectors and can boost employment and opportunity.
Specifically, agriculture provides many practices and raw materials for creative products, while tourism drives outside market interest in such items, as tourists would often consume and document interesting cultural products such as music and dance, inspire the design of tourism establishments to bring home interesting souvenirs and try delectable dishes. These will drive even more interest in visiting many places and expanding tourism-related opportunities. I recall a trip to Lake Sebu in South Cotabato that illustrates how community-based cultural tourism initiatives created opportunities for many residents.
A strong suggestion is for private sector groups, including local chambers of commerce and industry, academic institutions, and even citizen groups such as youth and senior citizen associations to participate in the programs that aim to implement this law. Private sector participation is enshrined in section 7B of RA 11904 through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council which sets the Creative Industries Development Plan that includes programs to support research development, innovation, and incentives.
Specifically, they can take part in the Local Culture and Arts Councils contemplated in Section 23 that aim to harness the creative industry players in the regions, provinces, and cities.
These local councils can help spearhead the promotion of investments in the creative industry which are encouraged in Section 15 which sets the Creative Industries Investment Priorities Plan harnessing specific incentives under the law and benefits under the CREATE Law and the inclusion of the development of creative industry projects in the Strategic Industries Priorities Plan with the Board of Investments (BOI).