Yamsuan wants stronger arts programs in secondary schools to help turn PH creative sector into economic growth driver

Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan is pushing for the passage of a measure that aims to strengthen arts education at the junior and senior high school levels to help position the country’s diverse pool of creative talent as a major engine of economic growth.

Yamsuan pointed out that while traditional industries may face disruptions amid the current economic landscape, the Philippines’ creative sector can continue to expand globally through digital channels at minimal overhead costs, and in turn, generate more jobs and export revenues.

House Bill (HB) 7864 filed by Yamsuan seeks to strengthen and modernize the Special Program for the Creative Arts (SPCA) implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) through an updated curriculum that expands its coverage to include architecture and allied arts, cinema, design, digital fabrication and new media. These will be taught alongside the regular disciplines on creative writing, visual arts, media arts and music, dance and theater arts.

“Napakarami nating magagaling na animators, designers, filmmakers, musicians at iba pang nasa creative industries. Tiyak na marami ring mahuhusay na kabataang Pilipino na nangangarap na maging parte ng ating creative sector. Strengthening arts education in our secondary schools will harness their potential and help us build a sustainable pipeline of skilled and industry-ready creatives who can compete globally while telling distinctly Filipino stories,” said Yamsuan, who has long supported and advocated for better benefits for this sector.

(We have many highly skilled animators, designers, filmmakers, musicians and others in the creative industries. Certainly, there are also many talented young Filipinos who are aspiring to be part of our creative sector.)

Developing a steady stream of world-class Filipino artists and creative workers would likewise help achieve the Philippines’ goal of becoming Asia’s premier creative hub by 2030, Yamsuan noted.

Highlighting the vast economic potential of the creative sector, Yamsuan pointed out that last year, it employed 8.71 million Filipinos and generated P2.12 trillion, contributing 7.8 percent to the country’s GDP at constant prices.

Exports of creative goods and services amounted to P747 billion in 2025.

“We can turn this sunrise industry into a major economic growth driver. But we must start by developing our future creative workers into a workforce that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world,” Yamsuan said.

On top of proposing an updated curriculum, HB 7864 also aims to integrate financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and basic knowledge of intellectual property rights into the SPCA.

To ensure that the SPCA remains aligned with current and emerging trends, the bill also provides for a whole-of-government and industry strategy through the creation of the SPCA Council.

Under the administrative supervision of the DepEd, the Council is tasked with connecting schools with the creative industries through mentorships, work immersions, scholarships, and job linkages.

The Council shall be composed of seven members, namely: the Secretary of the DepEd as chairperson; the Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as vice-chairperson; Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP); Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Executive Director of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC); and the President of the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP).

The bill also provides for the hiring of special instructors and experts for the SPCA and encourages partnerships with the private sector for the training and development of SPCA learners.

It also proposes tax exemptions on donations and grants made to the SPCA, and similar tax breaks for the importation of equipment and materials for the creative industry that are not available from local manufacturers. ###