• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) honored the ingenuity and creativity of the highly-urbanized Bacolod, and seven cities in Negros Occidental at the 2024 Lunsod Lunsad awarding ceremony Aug. 6 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.
The awards spotlight the transformative power of creative initiatives in driving economic development and cultural revitalization, the DTI said, adding that awardees include Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sipalay, San Carlos, and Victorias, all in Negros Occidental, as well as Iloilo City and Roxas City.
Bacolod presented the 2024 Bacolod Film Festival, Bago introduced the Dagyaw Lunsod Lunsad: Creative Mangrove Trail, Kabankalan with its Arts Beats & Eats: Kabankalan Creative Culture Camp, La Carlota’s Taliambong kag ang Mangkasanon: Empowering Local Community through Arts and Design Skills Transfer, and San Carlos’ Vamos Green Creatives and Innovation Hub.
Sipalay developed Lakbay Sipalay Creative Tours, Victorias showcased the Lunsod Lunsad Victorias in Motion, and Cadiz highlighted the Cadiznon Lunsod Lunsad Year 2: Elevating Creative Excellence, the DTI said in a statement Aug. 8.
Iloilo City presented the Lunsod Lunsad Creative Gastronomy Mapping, Strategy Development and Showcase, and Roxas City developed the Lunsod Lunsad Ilawod Illustrated Children’s Book Series.
The Awards, on the theme “A Call for Creative Proposals towards Building Creative Cities”, is a flagship initiative project of the DTI under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act that is focused on supporting and empowering local creative talents, promoting economic sustainability, and developing the cultural and creative landscapes of the country’s cities.
The event underscores the DTI’s commitment to fostering socio-economic growth through local creative sectors.
As part of their award, the cities will receive funding and technical support from the DTI to implement proposed projects that highlight their creative potential.
San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo said in a statement that the recognition has a cash grant of P2 million, adding the Vamos Green Creatives and Innovation Hub will be officially launched in September through November this year.
“The success of this project showcases our hard work and creativity, and I’m confident that it will boost our city’s creative landscape and drive local innovation and growth,” Gustilo said as he thanked everyone who has contributed to the achievement. “Together, we are making San Carlos City a beacon of creativity and progress.”
Director Lilian Salonga, officer-in-charge of the Creative Industries Development Office, expressed her excitement about the potential impact of these projects, while DTI6 director Rachel Nufable said she is immensely proud of the region’s achievements.
“We are proud of our Western Visayas cities for their creative project proposals in the Lunsod Lunsad Project. This recognition reflects the region’s vibrant creative spirit and innovative approach to economic development,” Nufable stressed.
“These projects will not only boost our local economies but also showcase our rich cultural heritage on a national stage. We look forward to seeing these creative initiatives transform our communities and inspire further innovation across the region,” she added in a statement.
The DTI said it expects that the successful implementation of these projects will significantly contribute to the growth of creative industries in Western Visayas and the Philippines. | CGC
