Ordained by RA 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is mandated to “implement plans for the development and promotion of the country’s creative industries through programs that create opportunities and employment, financial-enabling mechanisms, and incentives.” As such, DTI organized the said FGD to raise awareness on the said law and identify the “strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the different domains and subsectors of the creative industry” in Isabela City.

The event began with remarks by CTO Ramos II who underscored the importance of Isabela City hosting such FGD given the thrust of the City Government to make the creative industry a veritable component of the local economy. This in part is animated by the cause of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman to recognize and incentivize talents and creatives in Isabela City to facilitate its integration in the holistic approach to economic revitalization responsive to the demands of the 21st Century.

Meanwhile, the orientation on RA 11904 was led by DTI-ZCO Trade Promotions Officer Sherin Francisco while the run of the FGD was facilitated by multi-hyphenated artist and creative communicator Marco Alfino “Kiko” Miranda.

Participants of the FGD included select workers-creatives from the sectors of audiovisual media, design, publishing and printed media, performing arts, visual arts, and traditional cultural expressions. (Words by M. Guerrero/Photos by M. Guerrero & N. Masang, CIO/M. Angeles, IsaTV)