THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is hoping to raise the creative industries’ contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to P2 trillion this year.
“I hope we can reach P2 trillion this year. We really need to push the industry,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque told reporters last week.
The creative economy posted an 8.7% increase in gross value added to GDP to P1.94 trillion last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported.
She said the DTI considers the creative industries to be a part of the economy where the Philippines holds a competitive edge.
“The creative industries are important for us because this is really where we excel, and I really believe that we must send our aces out there,” she said.
“When we travel, we get a lot of good reviews; we have used a lot of creative talent to really drive trade for us. But we really feel that the creative industries are a driver of trade and tourism,” she added.
She noted that South Korea has been using creative industries to drive trade and tourism.
To support the industry, she said that the DTI is seeking an increased budget for the creative industries.
“How can we push the industry when we don’t have a budget? They gave us only P50 million,” she said.
“And then we need to also talk to the different businessmen to explore our local talent,” she added.
Under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2026, the Malikhaing Pinoy Program has been allotted P50 million.
Among the segments being pushed by the department are gaming and animation.
“Anime and the game design are avenues where we feel we can really excel … I realized that a lot of people are already contracting with us, but a lot of people don’t know that that is also where our edge is,” she added.
On Thursday, the DTI opened the five-day Malikhaing Pinoy Expo 2025, which aims to highlight the Malikhaing Pinoy Program.
“We expect more people to know that there’s a Malikhaing Pinoy Program so more people can join, more people will be aware, and more people can support,” she added.
The event gathered representatives from the audiovisual media, visual arts, digital interactive media, design, performing arts, publishing, traditional cultural expressions, creative services, and cultural-site industries. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
