The creative industry is expected to thrive in the future as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and partner agencies collaborate to develop a pathway that cultivates the creative skills essential for economic growth.
During the kick-off of the three-day summit on Tuesday, about 300 delegates from various regions witnessed a signing ceremony here where leaders from the cooperating government agencies committed to implementing the creative skills progression pathways (CSPP).
The CHED’s partner agencies include the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II)
The program also featured plenary addresses from DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez and EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark Yee, emphasizing more substantial alignment across education sectors to prepare learners for the evolving creative economy.
The pilot program aims to harness the potential of creative industries, particularly in performing and digital arts, as one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors, contributing 7.3 percent to Gross Domestic Product and creating 7.51 million jobs in 2024, according to the latest government data.
In her speech, CHED Commissioner Shirley Agrupis emphasized the important role of creatives in national development, pointing out that through coordinated efforts among CHED, DepEd and TESDA, they are working to strengthen creative communities and develop skills that meet industry needs.
In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to strengthen the country’s creative sector — which includes music, film, design, crafts and digital media — when he ordered the adoption of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan (PCIDP) 2025–2034, Agrupis said “this sends a clear signal that creativity is no longer just a cultural expression but now a strategic economic priority.”
“At CHED, our task has been to transtale this national direction into concrete institutional action,” Agrupis said, as she reported the establishment of a technical working group for creative industries, uniting academic leaders and industry practitioners from various fields like audiovisual, digital media, performing arts, visual arts, and printed media to collaborate, address gaps, and strengthen these sectors.
Part of the plan involves developing local books and establishing cultural centers to map, document, study and develop resources.
These will connect to DepEd schools and enable TESDA to issue certifications in areas such as food heritage, eco-tourism, and traditional crafts.
Meanwhile, CHED can help produce translations, readers, archive materials and develop teacher training in MAPEH tailored to community needs.
In line with Section 8 of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2022, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council shall review the plan every three years from the date it was implemented.
To ensure the successful implementation of the PCIDP 2025-2034, Malacañang called on all government agencies, instrumentalities and private sectors to support the programs, activities and projects outlined in the plan. (PNA)
