The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Sagay City LGU, led the “Elevating Competitiveness and Cultivating Innovation” seminar attended by nearly 50 representatives from the city’s creative sectors, academe, and local government at Balay Kauswagan on Dec. 3.
DTI spearheaded discussions on strengthening local competitiveness and supporting the growth of creative industries, highlighting the sector’s role in economic development and innovation, a press release from Sagay City said.
Jo-Dann Darong, Acting Director of DTI’s Bureau of Competitive Development, delivered the morning session on “Elevating Competitiveness and Cultivating Innovation Through Local Government Interventions: Policies, Plans, and Programs.”
Darong emphasized the economic potential of the creative industries, noting that the sector is a major contributor to the national GDP.
He encouraged Sagay’s creative workers to take an active part in shaping the local creative landscape and urged the LGU to continue empowering them through targeted programs and partnerships.
In the afternoon, Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, Head of Arts of the British Council Philippines, discussed Creative Industries and Placemaking, focusing on the role of arts, culture, and community identity in driving local development.
Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva said the seminar supports the city’s ongoing efforts to institutionalize its creative economy and strengthen collaboration with national and international partners.
He added that nurturing the creative sector will expand opportunities in community-based tourism, heritage preservation, digital content creation, and the arts.
Cueva expressed optimism about the growing momentum of Sagay’s creative community and reaffirmed the LGU’s commitment to working closely with DTI, the British Council, and local stakeholders to build a more competitive, innovative, and culture-driven economy for the city.
Also attended the event was Engr. Engiemar Tupas, Chief Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental along with City Consultant for Livelihood Agness Iida, representatives from DTI Sagay and stakeholders.*PR