The Philippine creative industries generated PHP1.94 trillion in value and supported 7.51 million jobs in 2024, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque during the Creative Entrepreneurship Summit 2025.
Held on May 31, the summit underscored the growing role of creativity as a key pillar of national economic development, with government and private sector leaders aiming to position the Philippines as Southeast Asia’s leading creative economy by 2030.
“We are with you in navigating the challenges of business development, digitalization, and scaling up,” Roque told creative micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “We believe in your talent, and more importantly, your potential.”
The PHP1.94 trillion contribution marks a significant milestone, reflecting the increasing recognition of the creative sector as a driver of inclusive growth and innovation under the Marcos administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda.
“What we are seeing is the rise of a movement—one where creativity is no longer seen as a hobby, but as a business, a profession, and a national growth driver,” Roque added.
Organized by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship–Go Negosyo, the Creative Entrepreneurship Summit convened policymakers, private sector champions, and innovators for panel discussions, mentoring sessions, and interactive exhibits.
Go Negosyo Founder Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III joined Secretary Roque in honoring seven creative industry icons and entrepreneurs who were recognized for their contributions to national development through creative enterprise.
In her address, Roque thanked Go Negosyo for its “invaluable continued support through mentorship, market access, and shared advocacy,” emphasizing that public-private collaboration is essential to scaling the sector’s economic potential.
The DTI is implementing the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which serves as the national roadmap for fostering a globally competitive creative economy built on local talent and sustainable innovation.
As chair of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, the DTI is aligning programs and policies to support creatives through capacity-building, global market access, intellectual property protection, and digital transformation.
Under this framework, the government aims to institutionalize long-term growth and visibility for artists, designers, content creators, and creative enterprises across multiple sectors.
The DTI’s initiatives focus on improving access to finance, skills training, digital tools, and business development support, particularly for MSMEs and regional creatives.
The summit also highlighted how creativity can be monetized and mainstreamed as a viable career and livelihood path, especially for young entrepreneurs and freelancers.
Roque concluded by calling on Filipino creatives to continue transforming “passion into profit and creativity into commerce.”
“This endeavor benefits not only current entrepreneurs but also the next generation of Filipino innovators, ultimately contributing to the establishment of a ‘Bagong Pilipinas,’ where innovation thrives and economic prosperity is shared by all,” she said.
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