Manila: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque on Saturday emphasized the need to navigate the digital landscape to promote the country’s creative industry. Speaking at the first Go Negosyo Creative Entrepreneurship Summit at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Para±aque, Roque assured local creatives that the government is fully behind them, supporting their growth from local stages to global markets.
According to Philippines News Agency, Roque addressed micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the creative space, stating, “You are not alone. We’re here to help you navigate business development, digitalization, and scaling up. Going digital is the quickest path to success.” She praised Filipino talents like Michael Cinco and Monique Lhuillier, highlighting them as proof of the sector’s global competitiveness.
Roque emphasized that creatives-from designers to digital artists-are key players in nation-building. She described the creative industry as “an important pillar of the country’s economic future” and a “driver for trade and tourism.” Addressing the creatives present, Roque said, “Your voice, your story, your vision is very important to us. Whether you are a designer, a filmmaker, a weaver, or a digital artist, what you do is not just art. It is an enterprise. It is a livelihood. And it is definitely nation-building.”
She reiterated the DTI’s commitment, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ directive, to promoting the creative industry, which is projected to generate PHP1.94 trillion and 7.5 million jobs for Filipinos in 2024. Roque mentioned the DTI’s focus on anim© and game design, citing the success of a Baguio-based gaming firm as an example.
Roque encouraged Filipino creatives to utilize malikhaingpinoy.com.ph, the newly launched website of the DTI’s Malikhaing Pinoy Program. This initiative is aimed at enhancing the economic and employment contributions of the creative sectors to support economic recovery and growth. “We already have 900 people that are actually part of that website,” Roque noted, emphasizing the government’s support for entrepreneurs in both regular and creative industries.
