our Department of Trade and Industry officials stand in a line, smiling, in front of the DTI logo and Philippine flags. They are from left to right Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong, Director Lilian G. Salonga, Paolo Mercado, and Atty. Gio Franco Gomez. A banner indicating the Philippine Creative Industries Month of 2024 is visible to the left.
From L to R: DTI Bureau of Competitive Development Assistant Director Jo-Dann N. Darong, Director Lilian G. Salonga, Creative Economy Council of the Philippines Founder and President Paolo Mercado, and DTI Creative Industries Development Office Program Manager Atty. Gio Franco Gomez

Makati City, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reaffirmed its commitment to position the Philippines as a global creative hub by supporting local government units of Quezon City and Dumaguete City in their bids to join the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).  Both cities submitted their applications on March 01, with Quezon City applying under the creative fields of Film and Dumaguete City under Literature.

It can be recalled that on October 31, 2024, the DTI, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine National Commission for UNESCO (UNACOM), officially endorsed the selection of the two cities as the country’s nominees for the 2025 UCCN Application Cycle.

As part of the four-month preparation for the cities’ UNESCO applications, the DTI, through its Creative Industries Development Office, enlisted the expertise of Mr. Paolo Mercado, President of the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines, and a recognized leader in creative industries development.

Mr. Mercado’s guidance proved instrumental in shaping the cities’ applications to align with the UCCN’s goal of promoting creativity and the cultural industries while advancing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

To further strengthen the applications, a series of key stakeholder consultations were conducted to monitor progress and provide specific support for each city. Complementing these efforts, Mr. Mercado visited Dumaguete City to meet with its Application Technical Working Group, offering hands-on assistance throughout the application process.

Paolo Mercado leads a meeting on Dumaguete's UCCN application. Group gathered around table in a bright room.
In photo: Mr.  Paolo Mercado with the technical working group for the meeting on Dumaguete City’s application for UCCN as Creative City of Literature.

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo has demonstrated strong support for the city’s pursuit of UCCN recognition, underscoring his dedication to long-term initiatives that will solidify Dumaguete’s identity as a “City of Stories”. Following the advice of Mercado, the city aims to celebrate its rich literary and cinematic heritage, paying tribute to its two National Artists—Edith Tiempo for Literature and Eddie Romero for Film.

Similarly, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, through the Quezon City Film Commission led by Executive Director Liza Diño, is leading path-breaking efforts to establish the city as a premier hub for film production, exhibition, and industry workforce. With a vision to establish Quezon City as the “City of Film,” Mayor Belmonte has expressed her full support, recognizing the move as a crucial step in bolstering the local film sector and expanding opportunities for its creative development.

Set up in 2004, the UCCN fosters international cooperation among cities that leverage creativity as a driver for sustainable development. The network comprises 350 cities across more than 100 countries. In the Philippines, three cities have already earned their places in the UCCN: Baguio City (Crafts and Folk Arts), Cebu City (Design), and Iloilo City (Gastronomy).

The DTI is playing a key role in facilitating these cities’ successful bids through strategic initiatives aimed at gaining their global recognition as dynamic creative hubs. Moreover, the DTI’s continued involvement in the UCCN process reflects its efforts to enhance the country’s creative economy and achieve its goal of becoming Asia’s Premier Creative Hub by 2030. ♦

Date of release: 11 March 2025

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