BACOLOD City – British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils visited several local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental to strengthen partnerships.
On Monday, February 10, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and San Carlos City’s Mayor Renato Gustilo welcomed Beaufils and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran during their visit to the said city.
The Provincial Environment Management Office and key partners in the BALANCE (Biodiversity Action and Landscape Approach in Nature Conservation) Program were also present, reaffirming the province’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The guests also visited Sipaway Island, highlighting its ecological significance and ongoing conservation efforts.
In Bacolod City, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez welcomed Beaufils in his office on Tuesday. She was accompanied by British Council Country Director Lotus Postrado and their team.
“They are in full support as we are trying to position Bacolod as a creative city for film and working towards becoming a prospective United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) creative city,” Mayor Benitez said.
He added that building on the city’s vibrant programs, such as the Bacolod Film Festival, and its thriving community of independent filmmakers, the city is steadily moving toward the global recognition.
On the same day, the British Ambassador also went to Victorias City to discuss the development of a collaborative program between the British Council, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) .
The partnership aims to support LGUs in fostering creative cities, emphasizing the role of Creative Placemaking — integrating arts and culture into urban development to enhance sustainability and quality of life.
“We’re looking forward to exploring new ways to celebrate our culture, reimagine public spaces, and create a city that inspires, aligned with the vision of the British Council,” Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said in a Facebook post.
For her part, DTI Assistant Director Jo-Dann Darong highlighted that the Philippines ranks fourth globally in creative exports, particularly in creative services.
He also shared DTI’s vision of positioning the Philippines as Asia’s Premier Creative Hub by 2030, and as part of this initiative, the agency has identified five key creative industries to prioritize: fashion, furniture, film, animation, and game development.
These industries will be supported by placemaking efforts, aimed at creating physical and virtual spaces where local artists and creators can thrive, he added./PN
