With timely support, our creative industry will survive and thrive

For far too long, the creative industry was never given the proper attention, often overshadowed by the colossal challenges faced by other sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and national security. The pandemic further exacerbated the burden on creatives who depend on projects, events, or exhibits to sustain their livelihoods.

While it may not have garnered front-page attention, a new law has emerged to offer a helping hand to the creative industry. Republic Act 11904, also known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, lapsed into law last July. The principal author is Representative Christopher De Venecia of Pangasinan’s fourth district.

In a statement, De Venecia, who also chairs the House special committee on creative industries and performing arts, said, “This is a sector that has managed to survive and even thrive on its own, but with institutionalized support from the state, it will really help the creative industry sector grow and accelerate to the point where we want it to be, which is by 2030, the Philippines will be the number one creative economy in all of Asia.”
RA 11904 mandates the “promotion and development of Philippine creative industries” 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.”
RA 11904 is the combined version of House Bill No. 10107 and Senate Bill No. 2455 that seeks to create the Philippine Creative Industry Development Council, which will oversee efforts to improve the country’s creative industries.

“This council will be created to guarantee the long-term development of the creative industries so that those who belong to it can reap the continuing creation of industry jobs and provide incentives to encourage and sustain Filipino excellence in creative industries,” De Venecia added.

Moreover, RA 11904 aims to provide centralized government support to creative industries, replacing the usual sporadic assistance system. The law defines creative industries as “trades involving persons, whether natural or juridical, that produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services originating in human creativity, skill, and talent, and having a potential to create wealth and livelihood through the generation and utilization of intellectual property.”

It is worth noting that the President himself has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the local creative industry in shaping Filipino identity. He underscored the need to protect the industry and its workers, making this law the realization of that aspiration.

“This creative industry law is an enabling mechanism for a whole-of-government approach to developing the sector and addressing the many different pain points that have been plaguing the different creative industry sectors for decades,” said De Venecia.

To spur industry growth, he stressed the necessity of ramping up investment promotion efforts and educating the country’s investment promotion agencies about the opportunities awaiting investors who support the creative ecosystem.

Indeed, this law has been a long time coming — much-awaited by all creatives who have grappled with bureaucracy, insufficient support, piracy, and unfair labor practices. Now that the law is finally here, there is little time to celebrate; the mission is clear for all Filipino creatives — create, innovate, and disseminate.

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