Delegates of the Bangsamoro Parliament are advocating for the growth and development of the creative industry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), recognizing its immense potential as a region known for its history, arts, culture, and traditions.
Two esteemed members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, Amir Mawallil and lawyer Rasol Mitmug, have recently concluded an official visit to Baguio, a city recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a creative city. The purpose of their tour and briefing, organized by the Creative Baguio City Council in collaboration with the Baguio City Tourism Office, was to gain insights and knowledge about the creative industry in Baguio City.
“We discovered that fostering greater engagement with the private sector, the primary source of creativity, enhances democratization and aids in the documentation of culture and history—two crucial initiatives currently being undertaken by BARMM through the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education,” stated Mawallil.
Mitmug emphasized the challenge of encouraging increased private sector involvement in the growth and development of BARMM’s creative industry. He commented, “One obstacle preventing the private sector from engaging in creative endeavors is the perception that it lacks profitability. However, the Baguio experience has proven otherwise by generating additional job opportunities, creating new venues, and fostering a thriving creative economy.”
Mawallil also highlighted the need to raise awareness among creatives in BARMM about the benefits they can avail themselves of under existing national legislations, specifically Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
“The Bangsamoro region is teeming with talented artists and creative individuals across various disciplines. Regrettably, many remain unaware of the support they can receive to unlock their full potential and earn more from their respective crafts and skills,” Mawallil expressed.
He further added, “Our ultimate objective is to have Marawi, Lamitan, or Cotabato City declared as a UNESCO creative city. This goal is within reach as our region is renowned for its rich history, arts, culture, and traditions.”
Mawallil explained that he and Mitmug gleaned insights from how Baguio City capitalizes on its creative industry, earning hundreds of millions, if not billions, in gross receipts annually. They aim to apply these learnings to propel the growth of the creative industry in BARMM.
Mitmug proposed supplementing RA 11904 with a legislation specific to BARMM that mandates an information campaign to educate individuals on how to leverage the benefits of the law. He highlighted that the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act provides assistance and support to the creative industry in BARMM in terms of infrastructure, research and development, digitization, access to credit, creative instruction and education, and public-private partnership opportunities.
The law also requires the establishment of a Creative Voucher System and a Creative Industry Development Fund, which will be managed by Local Culture and Art Councils (LCACs) across Local Government Units (LGUs).
In 2022, the creative economy of the Philippines earned a total of P1.60 trillion, followed by P1.43 trillion in 2021.
“Our aim is to develop BARMM’s creative industry and make it a significant contributor to the country’s creative economy. With the right support and adequate resources for our creative industry, we are confident we can contribute even more,” Mawallil concluded.
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