DTI leads the charge in celebrating Filipino creativity

As the Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM) comes to an end, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hosted the Philippine Creativity and Innovation Convention (PCIC) on 29 September 2023 to provide a platform for networking and dialogue among international and local industry pioneers, policymakers, and creative professionals held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

In his keynote address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., commended the DTI for successfully orchestrating the inaugural PCIM celebration in line with Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA).

“The PCIM is celebrated nationwide, promoting ingenuity, innovation, and competitiveness among Philippine creative industries, thereby enhancing our business environments and providing added opportunities for our people,” President Marcos Jr. declared.

Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual underscored the Department’s firm commitment to enriching the Filipino creative community, highlighted by recently-launched programs such as FiestaKuchas, Lunsod Lunsad, Young Creatives Challenge, and the Malikhaing Pinoy Program.

According to the trade and industry chief, these initiatives stand as a testament to the collective aspiration to amplify and elevate Filipino talents, through expanding opportunities, promoting the advancement in various creative domains, and enhancing the global appeal of Philippine creative industries.

“Our dedication to the growth of creative industries is interwoven into our Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, fostering partnerships across academia, local government, civil society, media, and the private sector. The creative ecosystem’s flourishing is our core mission,” Secretary Pascual stressed.

The PCIC showcased diverse programs, initiatives, and achievements that outlined the nation’s commitment to fostering growth, collaboration, and global recognition in various creative fields, establishing the Philippines as a renowned creative hub in the ASEAN region and beyond.

The gathering attracted international dignitaries including His Excellency Agus Widjojo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia; His Excellency Ahmed Saad Al-Homidi, Ambassador of the State of Qatar; Senior Trade Commissioner and Commercial Counsellor Embassy of Canada in the Philippines, Mr. Guy Boileau; Minister Yang Guoliang of Embassy of China in the Philippines, and key local industry players, affirming global support and collaboration in nurturing the Philippines’ creative sector.

Highlighting the potential of the country’s creative industry, Secretary Pascual emphasized, “The global stage awaits the narrative of the Philippine creative industries – a narrative brimming with vibrant culture, deep-rooted history, innovation, and a future teeming with. Let’s uplift our artists, designers, musicians, and every individual weaving our nation’s colorful, creative tapestry.”