City, DTI to ink pact on creative initiatives fund support

The city council passed resolution no. 672, series of 2023, granting authority to Mayor Benjamin Magalong representing the city government to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR) for funding support for creative initiatives and programs of the Summer Capital relative to the Lunsod Lunsod  Program of the DTI-CAR, particularly the ongoing Ibagiw Baguio Creative Festival slated from October 25 to December 20, this year.

The approved measure stated that the DTI-CAR shall transfer the amount of P3-Million from its Malikhaing Pinoy Program Fund to the city as funding support for the conduct of the said festival subject to accounting and auditing requirements in the liquidation of the extended fund, and that no particular funding counterpart is required to be provided by the city.

It also reiterated observations and recommendations that requests of similar nature shall, as much as possible, be made before the implementation of covered activities in line with prior authorization under sections 22 and 23 of the Local Government Code.

The resolution also stated that the MOA shall be submitted to the local legislature for confirmation.

“Baguio city has a proud history of being a cultural creative hub and aims to preserve and enhance its title as a UNESCO Creative City. This prestigious recognition emphasizes the commitment to the development and preservation of the city’s rich cultural heritage and creative industry,” the measure stated. – Gaby B. Keith