SB19 backs Senate bill to ease overseas travel for Filipino creatives
The proposed PACE Act would provide travel funding and visa assistance for eligible international activities across the creative industries.
P-pop group SB19 visited the Philippine Senate on September 30 to support a proposal aimed at helping Filipino creative workers pursue opportunities abroad. Senator Bam Aquino introduced the measure, Senate Bill No. 2517, known as the Philippine Agency for the Creative Economy (PACE) Act.
The proposal would support eligible overseas activities through help with airfares, transport, travel insurance and documentation, including visas. It also provides for other financial and logistical assistance. Its scope extends beyond performers to filmmakers, writers, animators, designers, game developers and cultural workers.
SB19 member Stell said visa difficulties and budgets that had not been approved for flights had prevented the group from taking team members overseas. He said performers also had to manage concerns involving their teams, partners and collaborators abroad. Such experiences helped inspire SB19’s song “VISA”.
Stell said the group wanted other artists to avoid the difficulties it had encountered. The proposed law seeks to widen overseas opportunities and market access for Philippine creative products and services, building on Republic Act No. 11904, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
P-pop girl group XONARA also hopes to benefit from the proposed support. Managed by SB19-founded 1Z Entertainment, the group is due to make its overseas debut in Singapore in October. Member Eurekah said the group hoped to showcase Filipino talent alongside other OPM artists.
