By Shaun Alejandrae Y. Uy and Justin Kester Bugsocan (PIA)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Artists, cultural workers, and government agencies gathered during “Panagtigum 2026: Mapping the Creative Ecosystem” on May 11 to strengthen collaboration and identify opportunities for the creative industries in Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental.
Held at the City Tourism Hall, the summit brought together practitioners from the performing arts, visual arts, audiovisual media, digital interactive media, design, publishing, and traditional cultural expressions.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Jesusa Abear said the initiative supports Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, which seeks to strengthen the country’s creative economy.
“This initiative recognizes the growing contribution of the creative sector in generating employment, promoting digital transformation, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering resilient local economies,” Abear said.
The summit also aligns with Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act of 2022, which aims to strengthen and develop the country’s creative sector.
In support of the law, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan 2025-2034 through Memorandum Circular No. 103 signed on Oct. 7, 2025. The 10-year plan seeks to support Filipino artists and creative workers across industries such as music, film, design, crafts, and digital media.
Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Officer John Asuncion said the city government plans to strengthen coordination and develop long-term programs for the sector.
“We have a lot of things planned for this industry,” Asuncion said, adding that the city government intends to continue consulting creatives in developing future programs and support mechanisms.
He said mapping the region’s creative ecosystem would help the government identify the sector’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities while improving support systems for practitioners.
The event was co-presented by the Kagay-an Misamis (KaMi) Creative Council as part of efforts to organize and connect stakeholders in the region’s creative sector.
Chris Gomez, co-chair of the KaMi Creative Council, said the summit gave artists from different fields and career stages an opportunity to connect and exchange ideas.
“This is the best venue for all of us, young aspiring artists, mid-career practitioners, and established creatives alike, to engage, ask, and collaborate,” Gomez said.
Theater director and playwright Tat Soriano said the gathering encouraged performing arts groups to work together on programs and projects.
“One thing that makes this event special is that it gives opportunities for performing arts groups to really collaborate and synergize rather than have the groups in competition with one another,” Soriano said. (JKB/SAYU/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
