Congress ratifies Creative Industries Development bill

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday ratified the “Philippine Creative Industries Development” bill.

Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, chair of the House special committee on creative industries and performing arts and principal author of the measure, said the proposal would help stakeholders recover faster from effects of the pandemic.

“Once this bill becomes law, I expect an exponential increase in membership in the PCCN or the Philippine Creative Cities Network, which I believe will foster economic growth and development in the regions through creativity,” De Venecia said.

He said all that is needed now are either the signature of President Duterte or for the measure to lapse into law 30 days after it was sent to and received by the Office of the President, and then within 60 days after effectivity, the implementing rules and regulations.

De Venecia, son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, said this “foundational legislation would foster growth, investments and innovation in enterprises engaged in creative industries.”

“The long wait of the creative sector is almost over,” he said in a statement, noting this will help those in the art sector to recover faster from the pandemic and for some to grow even further through comprehensive planning and collaboration.

De Venecia said the bill would institutionalize the PCCN and serve as an avenue for mutual support and exchange of ideas among the cities toward the building of more UNESCO creative cities.

He vowed to seek an audience with incoming Trade and Industry secretary Alfredo Pascual to discuss details of the implementation of the law.

“I hope execution can be rolled out within the fourth quarter of this year. I will make sure this legislation will be fully-funded in the 2023 national budget, especially the allocations for infrastructure support, digitalization, research and development, and Creative Education programs,” he said.

“This is a comprehensive legislation that will govern the work, working conditions and workplaces in the creative industry. It is a law that will help the sector recover faster from the pandemic and the prevailing high-inflation economic conditions,” De Venecia added.

He said he would work for the allocation of the Creative Voucher System, which the law creates and serves for businesses and creative workers to receive direct cash and non-cash assistance.

“It is time to build the database for this voucher system,” he said.