Creative industry players should work together with DTI, academe to sustain growth

Collaboration needed

Companies in the creative industry should continue to collaborate with the academe and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to sustain the sector’s growth and maintain Cebu’s image as one of the best in the industry.

DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte advised industry players in an interview last week as she warned them about Cebu gradually losing its creative people, who are needed to sustain industry growth.

“The number and quality of designers have decreased and deteriorated. That profession should be given due importance because it used to be our niche,” she said.

Caberte, however, said she believes that there is still hope for the sector to recover.

She said the sector  needs commitment from industry players including the stakeholders, academe and the DTI.

“We saw this already in the past. That time, we saw our designers going to China and working for design companies there. DTI together with then officials from Cebu GTH (Gift, Toys and Housewares) Foundation sat down and discussed what should be done about this.

Our initiative then has already started to bear fruits but we need more,” she said.

Caberte cited the meeting a few years ago of the Cebu GTH representatives with the faculty and staff of the Bohol Island State University (BISU) as a way to get Cebu’s industry back on track.

The parties involved  discussed the creation of a curriculum for interior design that BISU can offer, and that is responsive to the industry’s needs.

She said BISU, which is in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, initially  offered the curriculum three years ago. This year they have already seen three batches of designers.

“The  first batch was  absorbed by the industry.  Some of them also went back to teach in BISU. I could say that we have achieved something sustainable, which can be duplicated here where the need really is,” she said.

Caberte added that the initiative should come from the industry.

“They (companies) should be the one telling the academe what they need and collaborate constantly with the industry. We have seen this kind of working together work for many other industries. This will work for our creative industry,” said Caberte.

She encouraged industry players to come forward and collaborate with the DTI  and the academe.

According to Caberte, industry players like furniture companies, fashion designers, accessories designers, and the Cebu GTH will benefit from a more concerted effort.

CEBU FABLAB

Another successful initiative in Bohol that will also be set up in Cebu is the Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab).

The Bohol FabLab was set up last year in May also at BISU.

The FabLab was aimed at  providing micro, small- and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) access to cutting-edge technology in 3D design using laser cutters, computer numerical controlled milling machines, print and cut machines, 3D printers, and video conferencing facilities.

Caberte said the Cebu FabLab will have the same facilities. This will be set up within the year.

“With a FabLab here, those who have been going to Bohol to use the facility can simply do it here. There is a real need to really set up one here because majority of the industry players are here,” she said.

DESIGN CENTER

Earlier, Caberte also announced the creation of a Cebu Design Center  with the aim of helping the creative sector in Cebu.

“We are also already coordinating with the private sector on the setting up of the Design Center here, which is in line with RA 10557 or the Philippine Design Competitiveness Act,” she said.

“The Design Center will hopefully help especially the small and medium enterprises, designers, associations as well as design students and teachers,” she said.

Caberte, however, still cannot give the exact dates when the Design Center will officially open in Cebu.