Team DailyPedia
Filipino artists and creative workers could gain wider access to international opportunities under Senate Bill No. 2517, or the proposed Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) Act, filed by Senator Bam Aquino following consultations with P-Pop group SB19 and 1Z Entertainment.
The bill, which has been filed but has not yet been enacted into law, seeks to establish a government framework for helping Filipino creatives navigate international travel, professional engagements and global markets.
Aquino said the sector deserves greater government attention, citing its contribution of approximately 7.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and support for more than 7.5 million Filipino workers.
“By helping Filipino creatives reach the world and enabling Philippine creative goods and services to thrive in international markets, this measure seeks not only to generate jobs, investments, and economic growth, but also to showcase Philippine culture, creativity, and national identity on the global stage,” Aquino said.
“The Philippines has already demonstrated that it can produce world-class creative talent. It is now time to build a world-class government framework that enables Filipino creativity to reach its full global potential.”
If passed, the measure would establish PACE under the Department of Trade and Industry and task it with implementing programs aimed at strengthening the international presence of Philippine creative industries.
Among its proposed responsibilities are facilitating global market access, business matching and international partnerships, as well as supporting Filipino creatives participating in international festivals, trade fairs, cultural exchanges and other overseas engagements.
The proposal would also strengthen the Creative Industries Development Fund established under Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
Funding could cover international mobility, global promotion and participation in overseas festivals, exhibitions, conferences, showcases and market missions. The measure also allows sector-specific funding windows, including one aimed at expanding international opportunities for Filipino music professionals.
Another key provision is a proposed Creative Mobility Endorsement System led by the Department of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the DTI. This would provide government endorsements supporting qualified creatives pursuing legitimate international engagements, alongside a multi-agency mechanism intended to streamline relevant clearances and documentation.
The bill would also direct the DTI to develop programs promoting Philippine creative goods and services internationally through distribution, licensing, partnerships and market access.
Aquino’s collaboration with SB19 grew out of discussions about challenges Filipino performers face when working overseas, including visa processing, travel documentation and the lack of dedicated government assistance.
