DBM OKs P110-M funding for Malikhaing Pinoy Program

MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of PHP110 million for the implementation of the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, as requested by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to promote the Philippine creative industry.

The Malikhaing Pinoy Program is the DTI’s initiative to help improve the economic and employment contribution of the creative industries to support economic recovery and growth.

“Investing in the Malikhaing Pinoy Program is a pivotal step towards helping realize President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a Bagong Pilipinas – a nation thriving through innovation and creativity, embodying the indomitable spirit of Filipinos,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman was quoted as saying in a news release Tuesday.

“This funding will greatly help in empowering our creative industries to scale new heights and contribute significantly to our nation’s economic and cultural revival.”

The total budget for the Malikhaing Pinoy Program under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) reached PHP360 million, of which PHP250 million was initially released through SARO No. SARO-BMB-A-23-0022510 dated Aug. 17, 2023.

“Therefore, the request to release the remaining P110 million balance, which is still valid for release, obligation, and disbursement until the end of the current year has been approved by DBM,” the budget department said.

It added that the budget's release would sustain and expand the programs of the Philippine Creative Industries Council for the creative industry in such areas as talent development and training, incubation and acceleration, networking and promotions, export development, intellectual property, research and development, the establishment of creative clusters and hubs, policy advocacy, and market access.

Likewise, it will be used to support various activities to be conducted this year, such as the Philippines Skills Framework, Creative Startup Hackathon, Lunsod Lunsad, Creative Voucher Program Study, Creative Incubation, Global Market Acceleration Initiatives, support to book publishing initiatives, FiestaKucha, Creative Industries Month, and Secretariat Services to the Council. (PNA)