Bangsamoro MPs push for development of creative industry

Two lawmakers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are pushing for the development of the creative industry in the BARMM, citing its huge potential as a region rich in history, arts, culture, and traditions.

Following an official tour of Baguio City, Members of Parliament Amir Mawallil and Rasol Mitmug said saw how the LGU capitalized on its creative sector and how they can apply this to the autonomous region.

According to Mawalil, the goal is to have one of the Bangsamoro cities be declared as a UNESCO creative city. Among the Philippine cities on the list are Baguio and Cebu.

“Our ultimate goal is to have one of the cities in BARMM – Marawi, Lamitan, or Cotabato City – be declared a UNESCO creative city. It is not far from reality, as our region has been known to be rich in history, arts, culture, and traditions,” Mawalili said.

“We hope to develop the creative industry in BARMM and make it a potent force in the country’s creative economy. I know we can contribute more given the right and adequate support for our creative industry,” he added.

The challenge now is how to encourage more private sector participation, Mitmug added.

“We learned that it enhances democratization by having greater engagement with the private sector - the main source of creativity - while at the same time ensuring the documentation of culture and history, which BARMM is undertaking right now through the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education," Mawallil said.

"One reason why the private sector tries to shy away from the creative undertaking is because they do not find it lucrative. But the Baguio experience proved otherwise by creating extra jobs and venues and allowing for a creative economy to grow," he said. —NB, GMA Integrated News