The Department of Trade and Industry, in partnership with the city government of La Carlota in Negros Occidental, launched the “Taliambong kag ang Mangkasanon: Empowering Local Community Through Arts and Design Skills Transfer”, which is a Lunsod Lunsad project, recently.
The event, through the City Tourism Office, is in collaboration with the Mantas Group of Artists.
Part of the project is an art exhibition by the Mantas Group of Artists, where the outputs of the participants will also be exhibited. The art exhibit is open for viewing until Oct. 31 at the public plaza grounds.
The training-workshop will be on Oct. 28-31.
The launching program kicked off with a symbolic ceremonial opening “tapas sang tubo” by Mayor Rex Jalando-on, together with Mantas Group of Artists coordinator Susanito Sarnate, and tourism officer Karen Aguirre.
After the prayer, led by pastor Rodrigo Niere, Jalando-on and Mary Ann Raymundo-Moran, in behalf of DTI, delivered messages.
In attendance were Vice Mayor David Baga, Councilor January Abad, DTI counselors Ariesha Monica Espinosa and Dale Belarma, as well as department heads of the La Carlota LGU, headed by City Administrator, Dr. Marlene Gargantiel, among others.
La Carlota was among the seven cities in Negros Occidental feted by the DTI at the 2024 Lunsod Lunsad awarding ceremony Aug. 6 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.
The others were Bago, Cadiz, Kabankalan, Sipalay, San Carlos, and Victorias, as well as the highly-urbanized Bacolod City.
The award spotlights the transformative power of creative initiatives in driving economic development and cultural revitalization, the DTI had said, adding the Lunsod Lunsad project underscores the agency’s commitment to fostering socio-economic growth through local creative sectors.
Focused on the theme “A Call for Creative Proposals towards Building Creative Cities”, Lunsod Lunsad is a flagship initiative project of the DTI under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, and aims to support and empower local creative talents, promote economic sustainability, and develop the cultural and creative landscapes of the country’s cities.
“We are proud of our Western Visayas cities for their creative project proposals in the Lunsod Lunsad project,” DTI6 director Rachel Nufable had said at the awarding ceremony. “This recognition reflects the region’s vibrant creative spirit and innovative approach to economic development.”
“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 said, adding the successful implementation of these projects will significantly contribute to the growth of creative industries in Western Visayas and the Philippines. ||
