P4.3M fund awarded to creative industries in Kalinga during ‘Handog ng Pangulo’ event

Tabuk City, Kalinga – With the significant impact of the creative industry in driving the nation’s economic growth, revitalizing it has always been one of the goals of the Department of Trade and Industry, and Kalinga is not an exemption.

During the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat” event, the awarding of P4.3 million in funds for the creative industries in province was conducted.

Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba of DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group spearheaded the awarding alongside Director Lilian M. Salonga, Regional Director Juliet P. Lucas, and Provincial Director Renie M. Ramos.

The beneficiaries are the Upper Uma Agroforestry Association of Barangay Upper Uma, Lubuagan, composed mostly of blacksmiths, and the city government of Tabuk.

The group of blacksmiths in Lubuagan were recipients of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program, according to DTI-Kalinga. During the awarding, they got a share of P2.3 million.

The SSF program is aimed at enhancing the productivity and efficiency of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing them with more advanced technology like machinery, tools, systems, accessories, and other auxiliary items under a shared system.

The city government of Tabuk, meantime, was given P2 million. DTI-Kalinga explained that Tabuk was one of the 48 cities selected as a recipient of the Lunsod Lunsad project. Specifically, the fund will be utilized for the city’s Mangwa Creative Festival.

The Lunsod Lunsad Project is in line with RA 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, specifically backing and empowering local creative talents, promoting economic sustainability, and developing cultural and creative landscapes of various cities in the country.

Meantime, aside from the awarding, other activities were likewise conducted on said day. One is the Kadiwa ng Pangulo which offered basic goods at affordable prices.