The creative industries bill has passed on second reading in the House of Representatives, Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) said Monday, September 13.
House Bill 10107 is co-authored and co-sponsored by Benitez, who is vice chair of the House Committee on Creative Industries.
Benitez stressed the need to develop the country’s creative industries as engines to economic recovery and a source of national pride , and to enable Filipino artists, artisans and creative professionals to compete in the global digital market.
In his sponsorship speech for HB 10107, Benitez stressed that “in this period of disruption due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and pandemics…. our rich cultural traditions and creative expression give meaning to our humanity, our unique cultural memory and national community”.
“In the face of the rise of artificial intelligence, our creativity sets us apart both as humans and as Filipinos, ensuring our cultural survival and buttressing our place in the family of nations. Our creatives shape our inner worlds, and form the means for our communal understanding and cultural ties — they make us palpably feel the Filipino Soul,” he said.*