Filipino workers in the creative industries stand to benefit from Senator Bam Aquino’s Senate Bill No. 2517, also known as the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) Act, once the measure is enacted into law. Co-developed with “Kings of P-Pop” SB19, the proposed legislation aims to strengthen government support for Filipino creatives, expand international opportunities, and promote Philippine creative goods and services in global markets.
According to Aquino, greater focus should be given to the country’s creative industries, which contribute approximately 7.6 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) and support more than 7.5 million Filipino workers. The PACE Act seeks to establish a stronger government framework that can help the sector expand its economic contribution while bringing Filipino talent, culture, and creativity to international audiences.
“By helping Filipino creatives reach the world and enabling Philippine creative goods and services to thrive in international markets, this measure seeks not only to generate jobs, investments, and economic growth, but also to showcase Philippine culture, creativity, and national identity on the global stage,” said Aquino, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship.
“The Philippines has already demonstrated that it can produce world-class creative talent. It is now time to build a world-class government framework that enables Filipino creativity to reach its full global potential,” he added.
Establishment of PACE
The PACE Act mandates the establishment of the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE), which will serve as the primary implementing arm of the proposed law under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It will also function as the permanent Secretariat of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council.
PACE will formulate and implement the national Creative Global Market Strategy while leading collaborations among government agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Cultural Center of the Philippines.
The agency will oversee government support for Filipino creators, from managing overseas Creative Industry Desks and facilitating global market access to organizing business matching opportunities and international partnerships. It will also support Filipino creatives participating in major international festivals, trade fairs, and cultural exchanges.
Beyond market development, PACE will serve as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy and tourism. It will continuously monitor, evaluate, and streamline government initiatives under the proposed Act and Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, to strengthen Philippine creative excellence and expand the country’s presence on the global stage.
Through these responsibilities, the proposed agency aims to provide Filipino creatives with a coordinated system of government support as they pursue international opportunities.
Creation of a dev’t fund for creatives
The Creative Industries Development Fund under RA 11904 will also be strengthened under the proposed PACE Act to provide broader support for Filipino creative workers and businesses seeking opportunities overseas.
The expanded fund will cover international mobility assistance, global market development, international promotion, and participation in international festivals, exhibitions, trade fairs, conferences, showcases, cultural exchanges, and market missions. It will also support other activities that advance global opportunities for creative workers and Philippine creative goods and services.
The proposal further allows the establishment of sector-specific funding windows to address the needs of different creative industries. One example is the Music Global Opportunities Window, which aims to strengthen the international reach, competitiveness, and global visibility of Filipino musicians, songwriters, producers, music professionals, and their related creative goods and services.
The Philippine Creative Industries Development Council will also have the authority to establish similar funding windows for other priority creative sectors.
These proposed funding mechanisms aim to help Filipino creatives access international platforms, develop business opportunities, and increase the visibility of Philippine creative products and services in global markets.
Whole-of-gov’t approach for creatives
The proposed PACE Act will establish a Creative Mobility Endorsement System led by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in coordination with the DTI, to help qualified Filipino creative workers and enterprises pursue international opportunities.
Under the system, official government endorsements will support visa applications and participation in international festivals, showcases, competitions, conferences, tours, market missions, co-productions, cultural diplomacy initiatives, and other legitimate creative engagements.
The measure will also create a coordinated Creative Talent Mobility Facilitation and Fast-Track Mechanism involving the DFA, Department of Migrant Workers, Bureau of Immigration, and other relevant agencies. This mechanism aims to streamline the processing of clearances, certifications, permits, and documentary requirements for Filipino creatives traveling abroad.
Complementing these mobility initiatives, the DTI will establish a Creative Global Market Development Program to strengthen the international promotion, distribution, licensing, partnerships, and market access of Philippine creative goods and services.
A national Creative Global Market Strategy will also identify priority creative sectors and international markets, set global market development targets, and strengthen the competitiveness and international presence of the country’s creative industries.
Together, these proposed initiatives aim to create a coordinated government approach to helping Filipino creative workers and enterprises access international markets, participate in global events, and develop cross-border partnerships.
Aquino a staunch advocate for Filipino talent
As an ardent advocate for Filipino talent, Aquino has worked closely with Filipino artists, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers and recognized their achievements through Senate resolutions.
He recently filed Senate Resolution No. 370 honoring the Nation’s Girl Group, BINI, for its historic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where it became the first all-Filipino group to perform at the globally renowned festival in Indio, California.
Aquino also submitted Senate Resolution No. 591, congratulating and commending Femme MNL, HQ, The Crew, Folk Jumpers, and Sayawatha Jr. for their outstanding performances at the 2026 World Hip Hop Dance Championship held from July 25 to August 1 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Through the proposed PACE Act, Aquino seeks to extend support for Filipino talent beyond recognition by establishing government mechanisms that can help creative workers access funding, international mobility assistance, global partnerships, and overseas market opportunities.
The measure aims to strengthen the Philippine creative economy while helping Filipino artists and creative enterprises bring their work to a wider international audience.
