Makati City, Philippines—Held from November 4 to 5 in Somerset Central Salcedo Makati Hotel, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched the Innovation and Creative Entrepreneurship (ICE) Program to push Philippine cities towards UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) designation.

The ICE Program seeks to advance local industries of key cities. This includes Bacolod City for Film; Iligan City for Crafts and Folk Art; Koronadal City for Crafts and Folk Art; San Fernando City, La Union for Design; and Tagbilaran City for Crafts and Folk Art.

In partnership with Thames International School, the ICE empowered 33 representatives to craft strategic roadmaps that will enhance their creative capacity and elevate their respective creative industries.

“By nurturing innovation, we not only enhance our cultural heritage but also drive sustainable economic growth. Creative cities are key to uplifting local communities and placing the Philippines on the global stage,” ​DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut said as she emphasized the transformative power of creativity.

The two-day workshop featured pre-work preparations, hands-on activities, and collaborative planning sessions. Participants developed comprehensive action plans through guided exercises in vision mapping, goal-setting, and stakeholder engagement.

On November 28, the cities participating in the ICE Program will present their strategic roadmaps to a panel of experts for review and feedback. These plans aim to strengthen each city’s opportunity to secure two available endorsement slots in the next UCCN cycle in 2027.

Funded by the 2023 Innovation Grant from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the ICE Program supports cities in maximizing their creative resources. This aligns with Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

This program also bolsters the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, the DTI’s flagship initiative that drives the nation’s creative sectors and ultimately, propels the Philippines’ vision to become a premier creative hub in Asia by 2030.

Recently, the DTI announced the endorsement of Quezon City for Film and Dumaguete City for Literature to the UCCN in June 2025. These cities aspire to join the country’s three existing members in this prestigious network: Iloilo City for Gastronomy, Cebu City for Design, and Baguio City for Crafts and Folk Art.

To help cities achieve UNESCO accreditation as part of the UCCN, the Philippine Creative Cities Network provides a platform for cities to explore their creative resources and expand opportunities within the creative field. This network also serves as a hub for mutual support, idea exchange, and collaboration. ♦

Date of release: 15 November 2024

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