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Philippine Creative Industries Development Act: What RA 11904 Means for Filipino Creatives and Creative Businesses
Art Fair Philippines, (2020), [Collage of Visayan Artworks], [Photograph]1
Filipino creative talent has long been visible on the global stage. Hollywood has featured Filipino-American stories and performers in films such as Easter Sunday. Filipino talent has contributed to internationally recognized works such as Let It Go. Filipinos have worked in Disney animation, Rachelle Ann Go has built a successful theater career in London, and Lea Salonga has remained one of the most recognized Broadway voices for decades.
Clearly, Filipinos do not lack creative talent.
Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda of DTI said “there are approximately 2 to 3 million creative freelancers working locally, while 1.5 million creatives handle international projects” 2. As early as 2009, the Creative Industries contributed 5.44% of the country’s GDP3 and has seen an increase as of present time. In 2019, the creative industry had a projected value of P1.27 trillion and accounts for 7% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the country.4
With the rise of the “gig economy”, where one does not have to be fully employed to work for any company, Filipinos have been able to secure multiple projects at a time which includes jobs for both domestic and international clients through digital means. Payment gateways Paypal, Payoneer, and Upwork estimate 1.12 to 1.5 million Filipinos are receiving salaries through creative gigs.5 Imagine the number of Filipinos that are highly productive already in this industry! It is also worth noting that due to the pandemic, a portion of the labor force lost their jobs and moved to contractual jobs that are home-based. While there is no official data yet regarding this, you can just observe your circles of family and friends and can attest that indeed, the creative industries have opened so many opportunities for profitable work.
We see that the country does not run low on talents, while the private sector, both locally and abroad, continues to need the creative work that Filipinos provide. Now, the government has taken notice and has taken the next step by legalizing provisions focused on growing the industry. The creative future looks bright as the Joint Foreign Chambers in the Philippines (JFC) affirms that “[w]ith the enactment of RA 11904, the Philippines is well-placed to reach its goal of becoming the leading creative economy in Southeast Asia by 2030.” 6
What has often been more difficult is building the legal, commercial, and institutional support needed to turn creative talent into sustainable careers, businesses, intellectual property assets, and globally competitive industries.
This is where Republic Act No. 11904, or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, becomes important. The law recognizes the creative industries as a vital part of the Philippine economy and creates a policy framework for stronger support in areas such as intellectual property protection, financing, education, digitalization, industry development, and possible incentives.
For artists, designers, performers, writers, content creators, production companies, agencies, and other creative businesses, the law matters not only because it celebrates creativity. It matters because creative work can also be an asset, a brand, a source of licensing revenue, and a long-term livelihood. Understanding RA 11904 can help creatives and creative enterprises plan earlier, protect their work better, and identify government support programs that may become relevant to their growth.
Can the Philippines become Southeast Asia’s leading creative economy?
Fortunately, Congress has begun to boost the Philippines to catch up with the fourth industrial revolution. Inevitably, the future is creative.
The Philippine Creative Industries Development Bill was authored and sponsored in July 2021 by Congressman Toff De Venecia. After a year of diligent work with various industry stakeholders, it became law on July 28, 2022, as Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA). As the roll-out begins, we can expect more activity, visibility, and impact in the months and years to come. We are hopeful that sufficient budget will be allocated so that the interesting and beneficial provisions of this law may serve Filipino creatives.
Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, an expert in economics, states that the implementation strategy should include working with the private sector and the academe. To grow the creative economy from 6.52% of GDP to 15% by 2030, a focus on exporting creative talents should be prioritized. This means that the academe must create programs centered on honing creative expertise among students. Local government and tourism offices should also create creative zones and cities, where encouraging local businesses to invest in creative enterprises, events, and festivals becomes an area of focus.
There is no doubt that Filipinos are talented. Private businesses are continually opening and expanding businesses that provide creative services. What we look forward to most now, especially with the passing of PCIDA, is an aggressive boost from the government’s efforts.
Let us discuss this law.
Who is covered by RA 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act?
The Philippine Creative Industries Development Act defines creative industries as trades involving persons that produce cultural, artistic, and innovative goods and services originating in human creativity, skill, and talent, and having the potential to create wealth and livelihood through the generation and utilization of intellectual property.
In simpler terms, the law covers individuals, businesses, organizations, and sectors whose work is built around creativity, culture, innovation, artistic output, and intellectual property.
Under RA 11904, the creative industries include the following domains:
- Audiovisual Media Domain
- Digital Interactive Media Domain
- Creative Services Domain
- Design Domain
- Publishing and Printed Media Domain
- Performing Arts Domain
- Visual Arts Domain
- Traditional Cultural Expressions Domain
- Cultural Sites Domain
- Other domains and industries that may be determined by the Philippine Creative
- Industries Council (Council)
This means the law may be relevant not only to individual artists or performers, but also to production companies, content creators, designers, publishers, agencies, digital media businesses, cultural organizations, creative entrepreneurs, and other enterprises built around creative work and intellectual property.
What support does the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act provide?
RA 11904 mandates the national government to promote the development of the Philippine creative industries and protect the rights and welfare of Filipino creatives.
One of the law’s key features is the creation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, or PCIDC, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. The PCIDC is intended to serve as the main government body responsible for supporting, coordinating, and developing programs for the creative industries.
For creatives and creative businesses, this is important because the PCIDC may become a key source of information on government programs, industry development initiatives, support mechanisms, and future opportunities under the law. Once the PCIDC’s official platforms and programs are active, creatives should monitor its announcements and guidelines closely.
The law recognizes that creative industries are not only cultural sectors. They are also economic contributors. For this reason, Filipino creatives and creative enterprises should pay attention to the programs and support mechanisms that may be funded, developed, or implemented through the Council.
What is the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council?
The Philippine Creative Industries Development Council is created to promote, develop, and expand opportunities for the creative industries in the Philippines.
Under RA 11904, the Council is tasked with planning and policy formulation, issuing guidelines in relation to private sector participation, and assisting in the monitoring and protection of intellectual property rights and indigenous cultural properties being used for commercial purposes, among others.
The law also strengthens support for creative workers by establishing a Creative Workers’ Welfare Committee. This committee is responsible for helping ensure that creative freelancers and workers have access to sustainable and dignified work in the creative industries.
For creative professionals, agencies, production companies, designers, artists, content creators, and other creative businesses, these provisions matter because they connect creative work with broader issues such as fair working conditions, intellectual property protection, commercial use, and long-term industry development.
What benefits and support programs are available under RA 11904
RA 11904 provides several support mechanisms for the creative industries. These do not automatically mean that every creative worker or creative business will immediately receive benefits. In many cases, access will still depend on implementing rules, government programs, eligibility requirements, available funding, and coordination with the relevant agency.
The table below summarizes the key forms of support under the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act:
| Area of Support | What RA 11904 Provides | Why It Matters for Creatives and Creative Businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Support | Shared service facilities and infrastructure support programs may be provided through the DTI and the Philippine Innovation Act. These may include subsidized rental schemes for studios and venues, co-working spaces, similar facilities, and hardware that creatives may access. MSMEs are given preference in fulfilling these. | This can help reduce the cost of production, collaboration, events, and creative operations, especially for smaller creative enterprises and independent creatives. |
| Research and Development and Innovation Support | Entities may avail of research and development support programs of the Department of Science and Technology, including financial support for research projects related to the creative industries. | This may support creative businesses working on innovation, technology, product development, digital content, design, and new creative formats. |
| Digitalization of the Creative Industries | Support may include access to digital services and training platforms, technical and financial assistance programs for digital content distributors, and high-speed infrastructure and bandwidth through the DICT and NTC. | This is important for creatives working with online platforms, digital distribution, content creation, remote collaboration, and international clients. |
| Access to Credit and Financial Assistance | Government-owned, controlled, or supported financial institutions are mandated to give priority to creative industries in providing credit assistance and guarantee schemes. | This may help creative enterprises access capital for expansion, production, equipment, marketing, or business development. |
| Other Fiscal Incentives | Entities whose activities are listed in the Creative Industries Investment Priority Plan may avail of fiscal incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act. | This may be relevant for creative businesses that are structured, documented, and registered properly for qualifying activities. |
| Creative Voucher System | A creative voucher system shall be created to provide institutions with a more systematic means of giving aid and support to creative industry entities. MSMEs are again given preference as suppliers. | This may create a clearer channel for grants, support, or government-backed creative services and projects. |
| Creative Instruction and Education | DepEd, CHED, and TESDA are mandated to establish a Creative Educational Plan and supporting programs for human resource development, audience capacity-building, and consumer empowerment. | This can help strengthen the talent pipeline and professional training available to future creatives and creative workers. |
| One-Stop Registration Center | Negosyo Centers in LGUs shall extend their services as a one-stop shop for creative industries MSMEs or entrepreneurs seeking government services such as intellectual property registration, product and business registration, loans, grants, and benefits programs. | This may make government registration and support services more accessible to creative entrepreneurs and MSMEs. |
| Creative Industry Data and Information Management | The Philippine Statistics Authority shall set up a satellite account and a system of data collection and management for the creative industries. | Better data can support policymaking, funding, industry planning, and recognition of the creative sector’s economic contribution. |
| Philippine Creative Cities Network | The Philippine Creative Cities Network shall help incubate cities that wish to explore their creative resources and accelerate emerging creative cities toward UNESCO Creative Cities Network accreditation. | This can support local creative ecosystems, cultural tourism, city branding, and regional creative development. |
| Local and Cultural Arts Councils | Local government units shall establish Local and Cultural Arts Councils for better and more efficient implementation of the law. | This may help bring creative industry programs closer to local communities and regional creative sectors. |
The key point is that RA 11904 does not only recognize creative talent. It also creates pathways for infrastructure, financing, education, data, digital access, intellectual property support, and possible incentives. For creatives and creative businesses, the practical next step is to monitor which programs become available, check eligibility early, and ensure that their business registrations, contracts, intellectual property ownership, and documentation are organized enough to access available support.
What should creatives and creative businesses do next?
RA 11904 also establishes Philippine Creative Industries Month as an annual period for raising awareness and celebrating the creative industries. This is important because visibility matters. A stronger national spotlight can help encourage more public and private sector support for Filipino creatives, creative businesses, and cultural enterprises.
But the law should be viewed as more than a celebration of creativity. It is also a signal that creative work is increasingly being recognized as economic work. Creative output can become intellectual property, a brand asset, a licensing opportunity, a business model, or a source of long-term revenue.
For creatives and creative businesses, this means there is value in becoming more intentional about how creative work is owned, documented, protected, and commercialized. As government programs, financing options, infrastructure support, education initiatives, and possible incentives develop under the law, those who are better organized may be in a stronger position to access opportunities.
This is especially important for artists, designers, production companies, agencies, performers, content creators, publishers, digital creators, and creative entrepreneurs whose work involves collaborations, commissions, licensing, merchandising, brand partnerships, or cross-border projects.
As the Philippines positions itself as a leading creative economy in the region, creatives and businesses should take a strategic approach to structuring their operations, protecting their intellectual property, reviewing their contracts, and monitoring available support or incentives under the law.
How AJA Law can help
AJA Law works with creatives, creative entrepreneurs, public figures, production companies, agencies, and businesses whose value is built around ideas, brands, content, and intellectual property.
We assist with intellectual property protection, copyright and trademark concerns, licensing agreements, collaboration agreements, service contracts, talent and production arrangements, brand protection, business structuring, and legal strategy for commercializing creative work.
If your creative work is becoming a business asset, early legal guidance can help you protect its value, clarify ownership, avoid future disputes, and build a stronger foundation for growth.
For legal assistance on intellectual property, creative business structuring, contracts, or commercialization of creative work, you may contact AJA Law.
If you require legal guidance on your matter or situation
Work WITH OUR TEAM
FOOTNOTES
- Art Fair Philippines, (2020), [Collage of Visayan Artworks], [Photograph], link: https://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/arts-long-overdue-visayan-art-takes-the-spotlight-in-this-years-art-fair-ph/
- Department of Trade and Industry, (12 August 2022), [Pinoy Creatives celebrate newly-adopted Creative Industries Development Act], [Article] link: https://www.dti.gov.ph/news/pinoy-creatives-celebrate-newly-adopted-creative-industries-development-act/
- Del Prados, (2015), [State of the Philippine Creative Industries], [Presentation] link: https://industry.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/8th-TID-Ms.-Del-Prados-Presentation-on-Creative-Industries.pdf
- Villegas, Bernardo, (29 March 2022), [A Strategic Plan for Creative Industries], [Article] link: https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2022/03/29/438841/a-strategic-plan-for-creative-industries/#:~:text=In%20a%202014%20Report%20by,the%202019%20GDP%20of%20P19.
- Villegas, Bernardo, (29 March 2022), [A Strategic Plan for Creative Industries], [Article] link: https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2022/03/29/438841/a-strategic-plan-for-creative-industries/#:~:text=In%20a%202014%20Report%20by,the%202019%20GDP%20of%20P19.
- Gomez, Eireene, (2022 August 16), [Foreign Chambers Laud RA 11904], (The Manila Times), [Article] link: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/08/16/business/top-business/foreign-chambers-laud-ra-11904/1854721
- Press and Public Affairs Bureau, (2022) [Rep. Christopher V.P. De Venecia on House of Representatives of the Philippines], [Photograph] link: https://www.congress.gov.ph/photojournal/zoom.php?photoid=3600
