Baguio Lines Up Programs to Boost Its Being “Creative City”

The city government has listed major programs in boosting its title as “creative city” in the field of crafts and folk art by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network.

Engr. Evelyn Cayat, chief of the City Planning and Development Office, presented to members of the Regional Development Council Committee on Economic Development the major programs that will be carried out all the way until 2030 in partnership with major stakeholders.

These include the institutionalization of the Baguio Arts and Creatives Festival, development of the Baguio City Creative Circuit, establishment of creative centers to be funded and managed by the city government, and entrepreneurship and training seminars for the city’s artists and artisans.

One of the basic concerns identified as basis in planning and decision-making is to come up with an inventory of active artists and artisans and quantify their contributions to the local economy, said Cayat.

In the pipeline are the preparation of the development plan and the reorganization of the city development council to include the creative sector, she added.

She also bared that preparations are underway for a big event in November this year tagged as the “First International Baguio Arts and Creative Festival” spearheaded by the Department of Tourism – CAR in coordination with the city, the academe, Design Center of the Philippines – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the City Creative Council composed of artists of various industries such as weaving, carving and sculpture, metal craft, visual and performing arts, music and literature and concerned local government unit representatives.

The festival will be conducted in various venues such as the Camp John Hay Convention Center, Burnham Park, Malcolm Square, Museo Kordilyera, Ili-lika Artists’ Village, Tam-awan Village, among others.

Meanwhile, as members of the Creative Cities Network meet yearly, DTI -Cordillera Regional Director Myrna Pablo, suggested the possibility of sharing learnings which may enhance the city’s creative title which the concerned sectors may draw noteworthy practices.

She also suggested for a regular fora on revisiting the Cordillera culture particularly the city and how to preserve its culture for stronger appreciation particularly the academe.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively internationally. (JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Benguet)