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Exploring Creativity: The Power and Potential of Creative Industries in the Philippines

In the dynamic landscape of economic development, the term 'creative industries' stands out as a beacon of innovation and artistic expression. These industries, encompassing fields such as design, music, publishing, architecture, film, and more, are driven by individual creativity, skill, and talent. According to the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), creative industries are those with the potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.

In the Philippines, the creative industries extend across a wide array of subsectors, including advertising, animation, architecture, broadcast arts, crafts, culinary arts, cultural/heritage activities, design, film, literature, music, new media, performing arts, publishing, and visual art.

Economic Contributions and Growth


The impact of creative industries on the Philippine economy is substantial. In 2022, these industries contributed 7.3% to the GDP, amounting to Php1.6 trillion—an impressive 12% increase from the previous year. Employment in the sector also surged by 10.5%  with 6.98 million Filipinos engaged in creative industries, emphasizing the role of these sectors in job creation.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), creative goods and services accounted for $7 billion in trade, representing 6.6% of the country's total trade. Notably, the Philippines led ASEAN in creative services exports, underlining the nation's prowess in the global creative arena.

Government Initiatives for Future Growth


Recognizing the strategic importance of creative industries, the Philippine government has outlined an Integrated Industry Development plan. Aligned with the Philippines’ New Industrial Strategy, the plan aims to enhance competitiveness, capability, productivity, and global market access for creative industries. The five sub-projects under this initiative include the development of a creative industry roadmap, capacity-building programs, shared digital services facilities, creative services special zones, and the professionalization of online creative freelancers.

The roadmap envisions the Philippines becoming the leading Creative Economy in ASEAN by 2030, focusing on six cultural domains:

  • cultural and natural heritage
  • performance and celebration
  • visual arts and artisan products
  • books and press
  • audio-visual, broadcast, and interactive media
  • and creative services

Other related domains include tourism, sports, and recreation.

Among the policy recommendations in the Creative Economy Roadmap include declaring Creativity as a National Priority via a Creative Economy Executive Order and a Creative Economy Act to create a Creative Economy Agency that will map and measure the priority of creative industries for accelerated growth in domestic and international markets; encourage and incentivize the development of creative hubs and creative clusters as places for incubation, production, education and research and development; push for Philippine Creative Cities development and recognition; promotion of new models of creative tourism that will enhance the country’s image and promote sustainable tourism and prioritize creative education programs to strengthen the country’s creative workforce to become the Creative Education Capital of ASEAN.

Creative Process Outsourcing: Philippines as a Hub


The Philippines has emerged as a powerhouse in creative process outsourcing (CPO). With a diverse and highly skilled talent pool, the country offers services ranging from marketing and social media management to animation and design motion graphics. The Oxford Business Group suggests that creative industries, including outsourcing, could be a key growth engine for Southeast Asian countries, particularly the Philippines.

Benefits of Creative Process Outsourcing:

  • Flexibility: With a 24/7 service model, the Philippines caters to multiple time zones, offering higher-value services for global companies.
  • Cost Savings: Outsourcing to the Philippines can significantly reduce costs, with employee expenses being approximately 30% of equivalent roles in Australia or the US.
  • Quality of Work: Access to a diverse talent pool results in better concepts and content, contributing to the strengthening of brand identity.
  • Experienced Team: Filipinos are known for their work ethic and professionalism, making the Philippines an ideal destination for creative process outsourcing.


Looking Ahead: The Future of Creative Process Outsourcing in the Philippines


In a post-pandemic world, the creative industry is positioned as a key economic driver for the Philippines. It has the potential to be the next service industry winner, following in the footsteps of the booming business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. The Department of Trade and Industry is actively supporting the creative sector through the crafting of a development strategy, aiming for improved competitiveness, enhanced capability, increased productivity, and global market access.

In conclusion, as the Philippines gears up to become a creative economy powerhouse, the collaboration between the government's strategic initiatives and the vibrant creative talent in the country holds the promise of not just economic growth, but the preservation of cultural heritage and the shaping of a creative future.

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References:

Parrish, D (n.d). Creative Industries definitions. Available at: https://www.davidparrish.com/creative-industries-definitions/#:~:text=The%20term%20'creative%20industries'%20describes,games%20and%20the%20performing%20arts.

Talavera, C (October 1, 2023). PhilStar Global. Government sees creative industry expanding fast in next 3 years. Available at https://www.philstar.com/business/2023/10/01/2300215/government-sees-creative-industry-expanding-fast-next-3-years

DTI (n.d.). Creative Economy Roadmap eyes 5 sectors for development. Available at: https://www.dti.gov.ph/archives/news-archives/creative-economy-roadmap-eyes-5-sectors-for-development/#:~:text=The%20roadmap%20envisions%20that%20%E2%80%9Cby,includes%20six%20cultural%20domains%2C%20namely%3A

DTI (n.d.). Creative Industries Bills. Available at: https://innovate.dti.gov.ph/policy-knowledge-portal/creatives/#:~:text=In%20the%20Philippines%2C%20creative%20industries,%2C%20publishing%2C%20and%20visual%20art.

Paid, T. (June 2021). Business Mirror. Next key outsourcing sector in PHL is online creative freelancing. Available at: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/28/next-key-outsourcing-sector-in-phl-is-online-creative-freelancing/