SONA. Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia wears a bangus (milkfish)-inspired barong during the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Batasan, Quezon City on Monday (July 22, 2024). De Venecia commended the President for his support to the creative industry. (Photo courtesy of Christopher de Venecia Facebook)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Christopher de Venecia commended the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, noting the support for experiential tourism.
In a statement on Tuesday, De Venecia said he was thoroughly satisfied with the SONA as “it struck all the right chords, being both comprehensive and uplifting.”
“As a passionate advocate for the creative industries, I am particularly thrilled by his vision to maximize the potential of our tourism sector through the promotion of 'experiential tourism,” he said.
He said experiential tourism will further uplift the potential of the domestic tourism sector.
“I couldn't agree more. After all, tourism itself is an inherently experiential activity. Our nation proudly offers 7,641 beautiful reasons to attract visitors. Beyond our stunning natural landscapes, we boast a rich array of local cuisine, vibrant culture, distinctive heritage, exceptional arts and crafts, and flourishing farm and eco-tourism,” he said.
De Venecia has been a staunch supporter of the creative arts and even authored the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which lapsed into law as Republic Act 11904 on July 27, 2022.
RA 11904 mandates the promotion and development of Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers and other stakeholders in the creative industries.
De Venecia said the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry to help improve the economic and employment contribution of the creative industries to support economic recovery and growth, is a by-product of the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
In 2023, the program has been allocated PHP360 million under the national budget while for this year its budget amounts to PHP110 million.
De Venecia said these developments are also a plus for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which got another lift through the one town, one product (OTOP) law or Republic Act 11960.
The OTOP law is one of the government's stimulus programs that will encourage the growth of MSMEs in the countryside through the development of indigenous raw materials, utilizing local skills and talents and featuring local traditions and cultures across the country. (PNA)
