The House Committee on Appropriations approved Wednesday morning, August 4, a bill co-authored by Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District) that “aims to cultivate and grow creative industries as drivers of economic recovery and national pride, and support artists and artisans”.
Benitez, who also co-sponsored House Bill No. 8101 as vice chair of the Special Committee on Creative Industries and Performing Arts along with chairman Christopher De Venecia of Pangasinan, thanked the committee for its approval.
Following its passage by the appropriations committee, it is now ready for second reading once congress resumes after the lockdown, Benitez said.
The bill will articulate the need for support to industries such as fashion, food and heritage tourism, handicraft, literature, filmmaking, animation, and software development, he said.
“With government support, creative industries can underwrite our post-pandemic recovery, generate employment and enhance national pride and soft power,” Benitez said.*