(Davao City, August 16, 2023). Propelling Davao Region’s creative industries potential to new heights, the National Economic and Development Authority – Regional Office XI (NEDA XI) successfully conducted a 3-day Validation and Planning Workshop for the Preparation of Davao Region’s Creative Industries Roadmap from August 14-16, 2023 at the SotoGrande Hotel, Davao City. The event aimed to validate the situation analysis report and generate the vision, goals, branding, policies, and programs, activities, and projects for Davao Region’s creative industries.

A pioneering initiative in the country, the said roadmapping activity for the Davao Region’s creative industries drew the participation of some 50 individuals representing the Region’s 9 creative industries domain, namely, Audiovisual Media; Digital Interactive Media; Creative Services; Design; Publishing and Printed Media; Performing Arts; Visual Arts; Traditional Cultural Expressions; and Cultural Sites; as well as the transversal domain of Education.

In her opening message, NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim underscored that the workshop was an important component of the project entitled, “In-house preparation of a Roadmap for the Development of Davao Region’s Creative Industries” under the NEDA Research and Development (R&D) Program. Launched in July 2022 and set to culminate in August 2023, the project aligns with the Philippine Creative Industries Framework as enshrined in Republic Act No. (RA) 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

Director Lim added that the project underscores the need to develop programs that can maximize the potential of Filipino creativity or “pagkamalikhain” and the promotion of the creative economy in Davao Region as highlighted in the previous and current Philippine Development Plans and Davao Regional Development Plans.

“The roadmap will emphasize a balance between science, technology, and innovation with local and indigenous traditions and heritage, creation and expansion of domestic and international markets, exploration of growth potentials of MSMEs, and identification of a Davao brand of Creative Industries, envisioned to be popular not only locally but globally as well,” Director Lim said.

Commissioner Arvin Manuel Villalon, project consultant and a commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, discussed the situation analysis report for Davao Region’s Creative Industries and took the lead as the main workshop facilitator. Providing their expertise and insights during the workshop were Assistant Director (AD) Jo-Dann Darong from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Competitiveness Bureau and Chief Economic Development Specialist (CEDS) Rogerine Miguel from the NEDA Innovation Staff. AD Darong presented insights on the national directions for the Philippine Creative Industries and the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, while CEDS Miguel delved into the creative industries within the context of RA 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act, as well as the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document. Personnel from the DTI XI and the University of Southeastern Philippines also extended support as facilitators and documenters for the breakout sessions during the workshop.

NEDA XI Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Gilberto Altura in his closing remarks, highlighted the ways forward, including the finalization of the roadmap on August 31, 2023; its presentation to the Regional Development Council XI for approval on September 15, 2023; and its official launching during the Davao Region Creative Industries Summit on September 26, 2023.

According to ARD Altura, these activities are very important in legitimizing the roadmap document as the Region’s blueprint for the creative industries, and in garnering and sustaining the support for its implementation. He added that the responsibility for implementing the roadmap and the creative industries agenda in the Region will be entrusted to the Creative Industries Development Council in Davao Region to be headed by the DTI XI.

The culmination of the workshop was marked by the signing of the Pledge of Commitment, signifying the collective dedication of the participants and organizers in advancing the Region’s creative industries onwards. –Lorenz Daniel P. Lumen, NEDA XI