DTI convenes the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, advances key creative industries initiatives

On 18 August 2025, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chaired the fifth regular meeting of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) at the DTI Conference Room, Filinvest Building, Makati City. This meeting followed the Council’s Special Meeting on 11 July 2025, where it officially reaffirmed approval of the Philippine Creative Industries Development (PCID) Plan 2025-2034.DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Supervising Head and Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza D. Bautista presided over the meeting as the permanent alternate representative of DTI Secretary and PCIDC Chairperson Cristina A. Roque.

“The PCIDC’s unwavering commitment to collaboration can create real change. This partnership is a powerful example of how government and private sector partners can work together to unlock the full potential of our creative industries,” said Assistant Secretary Bautista on the PCIDC’s efforts to support the country’s creative industries.

The meeting was attended by representatives from nine (9) government agencies serving as ex officio members of the Council, namely the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),  Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). Alongside were the Council’s regular private sector members, including Mr. Pablo Gabriel R. Malvar, representing the Audiovisual Media domain, and Mr. Kenneth C. Cobonpue, the newly appointed representative for the Design domain. Also present were representatives from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

During the meeting, the Council approved the Implementing Guidelines of the Philippine Creative Cities Network (PCCN). The PCCN, established under Section 21 of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), will serve as an avenue of mutual support, exchange of ideas, and collaboration among the country’s cities to harness and develop their creative resources. First formulated by the DTI in August 2024 in partnership with the PCCN Taskforce, the guidelines underwent successive rounds of Council feedback before being adopted in this session.

The Council likewise endorsed the Philippine Standard Creative Classification System (PSCrCS), presented by OIC-Deputy National Statistician Minerva Eloisa P. Esquivias of the PSA. Mandated under Section 7 of the PCIDA, the PSCrCS establishes the official statistical framework for the Philippine Creative Economy Satellite Account and introduces the operational definition of “creative industries” for both statistical and policy purposes. By providing a uniform standard for identifying and measuring the sector, the PSCrCS will enhance data accuracy, support evidence-based policymaking, and strengthen programs for creative enterprises. With the Council’s endorsement, the framework will now be forwarded to the PSA Board for final approval and adoption.

Finally, the PCID Council Secretariat presented the activities lined up for this year’s Philippine Creative Industries Month (PCIM), as mandated under Section 24 of the PCIDA, which designates September of every year as PCIM. In line with this celebration, the DTI will mount the flagship event, the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo: Archipelago of Filipino Creativity, to be held on 03-07 September 2025, at the SMX Convention Center Aura, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. Organized in partnership with national government agencies, local government units, and the private sector, the expo aims to reinforce the Malikhaing Pinoy Program as a catalyst for elevating and advancing the Philippine creative industries.

Internationally renowned industrial designer Mr. Kenneth C. Cobonpue, whose company will participate in the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo, highlighted the importance of the PCIDC’s initiatives in fostering collaboration between public and private sectors. He reaffirmed, “Strong relations between the government and the private sector are essential in nurturing a vibrant creative industries.”

The PCID Council was created to spearhead the development and promotion of the creative industries in the Philippines. It is composed of nineteen (19) members, with ten (10) ex officio members from government and nine (9) regular members from the private sector. The Council is mandated to convene at least once every quarter, or as often as necessary at the call of the Chairperson or the majority of its members. The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for 19 November 2025. ♦

Date of Release: 02 September 2025