LEGAZPI CITY – Damgo Naton Masbate, a youth group in the province together with Masbate City Local Artists passes a resolution concerning the development and support to the creative industries in Masbate entitled “Masbate City Creative Industries Development Ordinance” at the office of Masbate City Vice Mayor Rowena Tuason on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Jofer Bunan Asilum, founder of Damgo Naton Masbate conducted a research entitled “Creativity as a platform for sustainable development in the economic periphery: The case of Masbate City in the Philippines”. The said study is the springboard of the proposed ordinance that aims to recognize creativity as an important strategy for sustainable development of Masbate City. The research gleaned that engaging in creative activity provides for the daily sustenance and can be considered an important economic sector that contributes to the economic development of Masbate.
“These creative activities, they’ve been helping the creative people of Masbate to suffice their daily needs. Actually maraming nakabalik sa pag-aaral nila sa college, maraming nakapagpagamot ng parents nila na may mga sakit, tapos marami din mga nakakatulong sa pang araw-araw na pangangailangan nila for example bill sa house, sa kuryente and all. Doon ko na realize na creative industries or creative activities help the people of Masbate, kun baga they are important economic sector, they contribute to the economy of Masbate City and of course the Province of Masbate.” Asilum said in an interview with Bicol.PH.
The ordinance is modeled after Baguio City Ordinance No. 46 (series of 2021) and Republic Act No. 11904, commonly known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2022.
The youth group is with high hopes that the local government will support their proposal to finally institutionalize and strengthen the support, recognition of the rights and contributions of Masbate artists in the local economy. The proposed ordinance also includes infrastructure and business support and the promotion of creative instructions and education.
The ordinance visualizes Masbate City as a creative city and targets membership to the Philippine Creative Cities Network and the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
“Ang main goal talaga nito is to make Masbate City a creative city, hopefully when this Ordinance is passed, Masbate City prepares itself to become a creative city as well of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). And hopeful na potential pa to become first creative city of Bicol Region, it’s a very big dream, so that’s the main effect we want to have. And the Government recognizes creativity as an important development strategy”, Asilum added.
Currently, one of the members of the City Council pledges to sponsor the ordinance with the City Vice-Mayor. | via Aaron John M. Baluis
Photos: Jofer Asilum