An online petition has surfaced calling to remove this mountain haven as a UNESCO-declared Creative City due to issues of exploitation, repression, and restriction of creatives.
The Change.org petition, “Revoke UNESCO Creative City Title in the City of Baguio,” has gained close to 500 signatures since its launch on September 22 and is still growing.
The petition states: “Baguio City has thrived with creativity for the longest time. From traditional arts, cosplays, and themed events to even music, Baguio served these creatives for free, without being demonized and without discrimination. Baguio became a haven for all types of communities and this was one of the reasons why it earned the title of UNESCO Creative City.”
Baguio City was officially designated as a UNESCO Creative City in 2017 and became part of a global network of cities with the objective of fostering innovation and creativity as key drivers for more sustainable and inclusive urban development.
A first for the country, Baguio City was recognized for the “crafts and folk arts” of the Cordillera region as seen in the architecture, parks, textiles, fabrics, furniture, fashion accessories, paintings, and sculptures comprising its “creative economy.”
However, the petition highlights gaps since the declaration that allege a misappropriation of the moniker: “But instead of being celebrated, compensated, appreciated, promoted, and given privileges, that title became every Baguio creative’s nightmare. Traditional artists are now being replaced by AI, and musicians and other creative event organizers are getting taxed with amusement fees.”
In a 2026 UN-Habitat Quality of Life report evaluating 15 pilot cities worldwide, Baguio—the first Philippine city included in the assessment—excels in education (scoring 87) and governance (84.3), but faces critical declines in environmental sustainability, culture, and arts. Despite holding UNESCO Creative City status and maintaining a high overall resident life satisfaction score of 76, Baguio struggled with low marks in Culture & Recreation (33.9) and Environment (56), driven by severe issues such as dwindling forest cover (30.2) due to commercial sprawl, poor climate mitigation satisfaction (14.4%), and growing concerns surrounding artists’ rights and heritage preservation.
The petition further argues: “The passion that has been burning in every Baguio creative’s heart for years is being put down. Now, creatives are taking their talents and creativity to other places that really appreciate, help, promote, and compensate them rather than imprisoning themselves in the city. The ones who helped give Baguio its prestige as a Creative City seem like they are now being punished and, worse, exploited.”
A recent issue that has divided the community is the staging of a Halloween parade, which earned the ire of religious and advocacy groups.
The petition touched on the issue, saying: “Cosplays and other themed events like the horror festival are being controlled by government and religious sectors that have nothing to do with them. It has become so restrictive to be a creative in Baguio that it goes against the very reason why it became a Creative City.”
The petition ended with the message that creativity is inclusivity in all aspects. It should not be held in a chokehold, least of all every creative. Creativity has bridged gaps, united like minds, and maintained peace within the city. Maria Elena Catajan
