STAKEHOLDERS have intensified efforts to formalize the creative sector in Cebu to strengthen the industry that has helped
kept the province “afloat” amid the global financial crisis.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu Provincial Director Nelia Navarro pointed out, though, that the move to formalize the sector must be initiated by private individuals and entrepreneurs engaged in the creative industry.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

“We want our creative people to form and own their group rather than have the government tell them what to do. We want them to determine the direction of the industry. Along the way, we—from the government—will support and help them,” she said.

Navarro said a formal creative organization in Cebu will enable players to identify weak links or challenges in the industry’s value chain and address them immediately.

It will also give the sector a “face” and the opportunity to develop itself eventually as a “business service provider” to whom potential clients and investors are referred to by private and public agencies like DTI, she said.

In a recent roadmapping workshop organized by the DTI and German Technical Cooperation-Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (GTZ-Smedsep) at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel, more than 25 creative core players—writers, filmmakers, architects, musicians, graphic artists, designers and visual artists, among others—and creative entrepreneurs expressed support to formalize the creative industry.

Stakeholders expressed concerns on the need to organize sub-sectors for the industry—broad as it is—as well as to create more business opportunities, establish additional infrastructure and provide more support for research and development.

Participants of the workshop, like Ivan Kintanar of Studio2Solutions and Buck Richnold Sia of Zscape Development Corp., lauded the effort to formally organize the creative sector, saying this will be an opportunity to develop new talents needed by the industry.

“Cebu is not only good in furniture, fashion and accessories.

We are also good in architecture, graphic arts, film, music (and) literature, among many others. It takes a collaborative effort to find the people involved in these sectors. Many (people) want to work in the creative industry but they lack mentorship to push them to do more,” said Sia, adding that a formal creative organization can help address these concerns.

“The more effort we exert to make known the collaboration between Cebuano artists and entrepreneurs, the more business opportunities and jobs we create,” said Kintanar.