DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Several cities in the Davao Region will be the recipients of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Lungsod Lunsad initiative this year.

The Lungsod Lunsad is an initiative aimed at supporting projects, programs, and activities (PPA) to foster creative entrepreneurship, capacity building, skill development, and job creativity within the local communities.

It is in line with the goal of Republic Act 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA), which promotes the development of the country’s creative sector.

According to Arriel Nengasca, division chief of the DTI regional office, among the local government units in the country, Mati City was one of the first recipients of Lungsod Lunsad.

“And I’m very happy because grabe din ang supporta ni Mayor Michelle Rabat of Mati sa creative industry (Mayor Michelle Rabat is very supportive of the creative industry),” Nengasca said during his guesting at PIA-XI’s One Davao online presser.

He cited that the Lungsod Lunsad of Mati City titled as the HINIMO Creative Spaces is a unique project as its focus is on youth and mental health.

“Kasi mataas ang cases ng depression and suicide sa Mati City, and the way to counter this one is to provide activities sa mga bata (It’s because there are high cases of depression and suicide in Mati City, and the way to counter this one is to provide activities to the youth and children),” Nengasca said.

“Our project in Lungsod Lunsad is Creative Spaces in Public Places, wherein we identify parks, plazas, and barangay gyms as venues where we conduct activities for the creative sector,” he said.

Aside from the grant from Lungsod Lunsad, the DTI is also inviting creative sector groups to submit proposals, as they have an allocation of P200 million for the creative industries nationwide as part of the PCIDA.

“We already received proposals from the fashion group (Davao Fashion Design Council) under Sir Emi (Emi Englis); we also have Joey Ayala under the performing arts, and we are expecting proposals from the Davao regional filmmakers.  I hope the other sectors will also submit proposals,” Nengasca said.

He added that the proposals will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and urged the other creative sectors to send the proposals “the soonest time possible.”

The proposals for the various activities of creative sector groups would eventually sustain the gains of Lungsod Lunsad in the region.

Nengasca said the various programs and activities of the government and the creative industries will make this year an active and busy one for the creative sector in the region. (RGA/PIA Davao)