CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) promotes and showcases the creative industry as one of the priority programs.
Christian “Ted” Tungohan, Provincial Director of DTI Laguna, discussed in the program Kapihan sa PIA: Ugnayan at Talakayan sa Laguna on March 20.
“DTI is in charge not only of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development but also of business development and consumer protection,” Tungohan said.
He pointed out that DTI has two mandates –business development and consumer empowerment protection.
“Business development aims to continue to provide technical assistance to MSMEs and to boost the industry, and its main functions are MSMEs development, industry development, and investment promotion,” he added.
Under the Industry Cluster Enhancement Program, DTI identified several priorities, including coffee, cacao, wearables and home style, bamboo, processed fruits and nuts, coconut, Coconut Farmers Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), and creatives.
“There are key things we consider before it becomes part of the priority under the industry clustering program. First, the market demands locally and internationally. Second, the high supply of raw materials and market potential. We make sure that it aligns with the National Industry Cluster Enhancement Program, and it,” he explained.
Creatives became part of the program because it encompassed all the key components under the industry clustering.
“We have nine domains under the creative industry. In the province of Laguna we have cultural performances; we also want to promote the creation of movies,” he said.
In Laguna, the majority of the creative industry falls in the design domain, and it includes fashion and accessories.
“We have a lot of talented fashion designers, and we want to help them showcase their creativity not only in Laguna but also outside the province through a fashion designer competition,” he added.
Laguna is known in the creative industry. Liliw, Laguna, is the footwear capital and is well-known in wearables; Lumban is known when it comes to embroidery, Paete for wood carving, and Pakil for papier-mâché. Additionally, Mabitac is known for its furniture design and Biñan for upcycled and high-end furniture.
One of the initiatives under the PCI was the “Fiesta Haraya: Likha at Husay ng Calabarzon,” where Laguna generated Php 298,027 in sales.
Laguna also represented Calabarzon at the Philippine Creative Industries Festival (PCIF) in One Ayala, Makati City. The event was celebrated with the theme “Filipino creativity: Disenyo at Kultura, Sining ng Kalinangan, and Meet the Makers.”
In addition, he shared that three local government units (LGUs) in Laguna, including Calamba, Biñan, and San Pedro, benefitted from the launching of Lungsod Lunsad Projects (LLP). LGUs receive Php 5 million worth of projects for the implementation of LLP in their town. The LLP projects are Lunsod Lunsad Calambago Fiesta: Taste, Style, and Creativity Fair; San Pedro Lunsod Lunsad Showcase of Different Creative Industries; and Likhain and Biñan Packaging and Design Center.
Tungohan emphasized, “The LLP projects not only showcase different creativity but also highlight sustainability and focus on conservation of our natural resources.”
Other DTI programs under business development include the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Kapatid Mentor Me Program, Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), Shared Service Facilities (SSF), Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay, One Town One Product (OTOP), and Kadiwa ng Pangulo. (KA-PIA4A)
