Filipino creative workers could soon gain targeted government backing under Senate Bill No. 2517, known as the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) Act. Drafted by Senator Bam Aquino in collaboration with P-Pop group SB19, the proposed law sets out to build a formal support system that protects local artists, expands industry resources, and opens clearer paths to international markets.
The measure addresses a vital segment of the workforce that heavily feeds the national economy. Official data shows the creative sector accounts for roughly 7.6 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product while offering livelihood to more than 7.5 million workers. Strengthening policies around this sector aims to secure better working conditions while turning local arts and media into steady revenue drivers.
By establishing a dedicated administrative agency, the bill seeks to scale up export opportunities for homegrown talent across music, film, design, and digital content. Senator Aquino, heading the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship, stressed that while Filipino artists routinely prove their talent on world stages, a unified policy structure is necessary to turn individual creative success into long-term economic growth.
Establishment of PACE
The measure mandates the establishment of the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE), which will serve as its primary implementing arm under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and as the permanent Secretariat of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council.
The agency is tasked with formulating and executing the national Creative Global Market Strategy while leading cross-agency collaborations with 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 all support for local creators — from managing overseas Creative Industry Desks and facilitating global market access, business matching, and international partnerships, to supporting their participation in major international festivals, trade fairs, and cultural exchanges.
It will also act as a catalyst for cultural diplomacy and tourism, continuously monitoring, evaluating, and streamlining government initiatives under the Act and Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, to elevate the country’s creative excellence on the global stage.
Creation of a dev’t fund for creatives
The Creative Industries Development Fund under RA 11904 will also be strengthened to cover international mobility assistance, global market development, international promotion, participation in international festivals, exhibitions, trade fairs, conferences, showcases, cultural exchanges, market missions, and other activities that advance global opportunities for creative workers and creative goods and services.
The proposal also allows the establishment of sector-specific funding windows, such as the Music Global Opportunities Window, to enhance the international reach, competitiveness, and global visibility of Filipino musicians, songwriters, producers, music professionals, and their related creative goods and services.
The Council is also empowered to establish similar funding windows for other priority creative sectors.
Whole-of-gov’t approach for creatives
The proposed measure will establish a Creative Mobility Endorsement System led by the DFA, in coordination with the DTI, to help qualified Filipino creative workers and enterprises pursue international opportunities.
The system will provide official government endorsements to support visa applications and participation in international festivals, showcases, competitions, conferences, tours, market missions, co-productions, cultural diplomacy initiatives, and other legitimate creative engagements.
It 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 to streamline the processing of clearances, certifications, permits, and documentary requirements for creatives traveling abroad.
Complementing these mobility measures, 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, while a national Creative Global Market Strategy will 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.
Sen Bam — a staunch advocate for Filipino talent
As an ardent advocate for Filipino talent, Sen. Bam has worked closely with Filipino artists, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers and recognized their achievements through 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.
He 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.
