As the nation marks Creative Industries Month this September, Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez called on House employees and the public to champion Filipino talent by purchasing local goods, attending homegrown shows and streaming local music legally.
“Kapag binigyan ng entablado ang Pilipino, nananalo,” Benitez said during the Monday flag-raising ceremony at the House of Representatives.
Benitez, who chairs the House Special Committee on Creative Industries, pointed to global milestones such as P-pop groups BINI and SB19 performing at Coachella and Lollapalooza, a record-breaking P1-billion local film and five Philippine cities joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, as proof of the sector’s power.
Highlighting the economic impact, Benitez noted Philippine Statistics Authority data showing the creative sector generated P2.12 trillion in 2025 and supported 8.71 million workers or nearly one in five employed Filipinos.
The lawmaker emphasized that House staff, including writers, video editors, designers and librarians are vital parts of this workforce. “Hindi lang gumagawa ng batas ang Kamarang ito para sa creative industries. Isa rin itong creative industry,” he said.
Observed every September under Republic Act No. 11904, this year’s Creative Industries Month carries the theme “We Are a Creative Nation.”