At the March 2026 edition of KapiHANN, a media forum organized by the Pampanga Press Club in cooperation with Hann Casino Resort, Mabalacat City Vice Mayor Jun Castro spoke about a move that could shape the creative community of Mabalacat City for years.

The plan centers on drafting an ordinance that will formally establish an Arts and Culture Council.

For travelers who spend time around cities with strong creative programs, this idea feels familiar. Many towns with active councils have managed to build local identity through public art, cultural events, and support programs for artists. The proposal in Mabalacat follows a similar path.

Castro said the measure will go through the regular legislative process at the city council. It will be referred to the proper committee, studied in detail, and discussed in a regular session.

The aim is clear. The city wants a law, not a temporary resolution.

An ordinance would secure continuity of the council even when political leadership changes.

The council is also expected to cover all creative domains. This includes visual arts, music, performing arts, literature, heritage conservation, and other creative fields.

One part of the proposal focuses on funding. A dedicated allocation may support young artists and creative groups with resources for their work. That could mean grants, project support, and access to spaces for exhibitions and performances.

Another point raised during the forum involves heritage spaces in the city. Castro cited Tabnuan, an old municipal building, as one of Mabalacat’s important cultural assets. Structures like this often become anchors for community events and cultural programs once a formal arts council takes shape.

Also present during the forum was Mr. Noel Tulabut, who also serves as a director at Clark International Airport Corporation and co-founded the local creative group Sining Mabalacat.

Tulabut noted that official recognition of artists matters.

Once a council is institutionalized through an ordinance, artists gain formal acknowledgement from the city. That recognition does not shift with changes in administration. It becomes part of the city’s structure.

The proposed council also aims to bring different artistic communities under one umbrella.

For visitors, creative councils often lead to things that make a city interesting. Street art programs, festivals, craft markets, public installations, and restored heritage spaces. These are the experiences travelers remember.

If the ordinance moves forward, Mabalacat could place its artists at the center of how the city presents itself.

For a city positioned at the gateway of Central Luzon, that cultural layer could shape how visitors see it.