GDAP Aligns with DTI and PCIDC to Drive Key Priorities for the Philippine Game Development Industry

MANILA, Philippines — Furthering its mission to accelerate the growth of the local gaming ecosystem, leadership from the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) held a strategic courtesy call with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Nylah Bautista and the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC) Secretariat last May 18.

The meeting served as a vital venue for the private sector and government to align their agendas in pushing the boundaries of the local digital creative economy. GDAP President Ria Lu led the discussion, presenting a comprehensive list of the association’s key priority areas. These focused initiatives highlight the specific avenues where GDAP is looking to secure the support and resources of the DTI, including capacity building, institutional funding, market access, and the promotion of original Filipino Intellectual Property (IP).

A central theme of the dialogue was ensuring that GDAP’s strategic goals mesh seamlessly with the ongoing initiatives of the PCIDC. This synergy is uniquely reinforced by a powerful institutional link: GDAP Board Member James Ronald Lo was recently appointed as the PCIDC Private Sector Representative for the Digital Interactive Domain.

With Lo representing the digital interactive media sector within the council, GDAP and the PCIDC are uniquely positioned to ensure that the voice, challenges, and aspirations of Filipino game developers directly inform national policy and the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan.

With the support of Asec. Bautista and the PCIDC Secretariat, alongside James Ronald Lo’s critical role within the council, we are bridging the gap between grassroots developer needs and national economic strategies. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the DTI to turn these priority areas into actionable growth for our studios.

As the DTI continues to roll out programs to transform the Philippines into a premier creative hub in the ASEAN region by 2030, this strengthened partnership signals a highly collaborative, IP-driven future for the local game development scene.