MANILA, Philippines - The British Council, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its agency, Board of Investments, formalised a three-year multi sectoral partnership to promote growth of the creative economy sector of the Philippines.
Signed on 12 December 2018, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) supports the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 cultural agenda “to advance creativity and ‘pagkamalikhain’ - the value of creative excellence by boosting the development of Filipino creativity as [a] tool for social cohesion and impetus for culture-based industry and creative economy, and building public appreciation of Filipino creativity”.
Pilar Aramayo Prudencio, Country Director of the British Council in the Philippines, said “We are pleased and excited to be part of this multi stakeholder partnership. It is the first high-level MOU of its kind, bringing together local and international partners from the creative, cultural, trade and private sectors to grow the Philippines’ cultural and creative industries”.
The creative economy is the fastest growing sector in the UK valued at £97 billion with high numbers of self-employed, micro, small and medium enterprises. The Philippines’ rich traditions in music, performing arts, craft, design, and film, among others, have yet to reach their full potential and find sustainable local and export markets that earn revenue, and create jobs and intellectual property. The partnership aims to contribute to unleashing such potential.
The agreement includes, amongst other components, a research project with the CECP to map the economic contribution of the creative industries in key cities in the Philippines. The research addresses the lack of data hindering national agencies to institute policies to support creative industries to flourish.
“Filipino creativity is out there - in musicals, behind ad agencies, as animators. It is not often known [that it was created by a] Filipino,” Paolo Mercado, CECP President relayed.
Growing the creative economy sector will not only impact the national economy; it will also promote the country’s unique culture and facilitate civil engagement towards a more inclusive society.