‘Let’s Take Them Global’: Rep. Javi Benitez Lays Out Legislative Agenda for Creative Industries at Malikhaing Pinoy Expo

September 05, 2025

Negros Occidental Third District Representative and Chair of the House Special Committee on Creative Industries, Hon. Javier Miguel Benitez, outlined his legislative priorities for the creative sector during the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo 2025, urging local governments and stakeholders to push Filipino creativity onto the global stage, September 5. In his plenary talk, Cong. Javi shared that at the heart of his legislative agenda are proposals that strengthen local creative ecosystems, provide incentives for creative spaces and economic zones, and ensure sustained funding for community-based initiatives. He also challenged creative workers and LGUs to bring the Philippine creative industries to the world stage, underscoring that the country must not only nurture creativity domestically but also thrive internationally. Rep. Javi cited the recent budget hearing for the creative industries in the House of Representatives, where he stressed the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure growth across the country’s nine creative domains. The representative assured that his office and committee are open to legislative proposals that will provide stronger support systems for Filipino creatives. At the opening of the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo on September 4, Rep. Javi expressed strong support for the vision of positioning the Philippines as Asia’s premier creative hub by 2030. He reiterated his commitment to safeguard proper budget allocation for creative industries, sourced from the digital assets VAT. “I pledge my full commitment to closely monitor and safeguard the proper allocation of funds for our Philippine Creative Industries, generated from the proceeds of the digital assets value-added tax. Sisiguraduhin po natin na maibibigay ang karapatdapat na proteksyon at programa para sa bawat Malikhaing Pinoy,” he said. The Malikhaing Pinoy Expo 2025 is the flagship celebration of Philippine Creative Industries Month, gathering artists, cultural workers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers nationwide to collaborate on advancing the country’s creative economy. *

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