Buwan Ng Pelikulang Pilipino Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG -4 P6:07 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 876 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS PHILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY MONTH AND MANDATING THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES (FDCP) TO CONDUCT ACTIVITIES ON FILM-RELATED DISCIPLINES DURING ITS CELEBRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE September 12, 1919 is a momentous date for Philippine cinema. It marked the premiere of the first Filipino-produced and -directed feature film "Dalagang Bukid" by Jose Nepomuceno, who is considered as the Father of Philippine motion picture industry. The occasion was recognized by recent executive issuances such as Presidential Proclamation No. 1085 which was signed on February 3, 2021. Former President Duterte declared September as Philippine Film Industry Month, which acknowledged the need to recognize the "invaluable contribution and sacrifices of all stakeholders and sectors of the film industry, as well as provide avenues to showcase and celebrate the achievements and progress of the discipline of film and filmmaking." In addition, Presidential Proclamation No. 622 which was signed on November 8, 2018 declared 12 September 2019 to 11 September 2020 as the "Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema."

This proposed measure seeks to declare the month of September as Philippine Film Industry Month and give due importance and appreciation to the film industry which reflects social realities and fosters our sense of nationhood. During this special period of celebration, which shall be known as "Buwan ng Pelikulang Pilipino", we aim to promote and revive the local film industry, encourage its growth and expansion as one of the dynamic segments of the creative economy, and further elevate the standards and quality of Filipino films on par with the world's best. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this legislation is fervently sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG -4 P6:07 First Regular Session SENATE RECEWVED BY: S. No. 876 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS PHILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY MONTH AND MANDATING THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES (FDCP) TO CONDUCT ACTIVITIES ON FILM-RELATED DISCIPLINES DURING ITS CELEBRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Buwan ng Pelikulang

2 Pilipino Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State gives priority to arts and culture to

foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human 5 liberation and development. The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the 6 nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to undertake initiatives that promote the growth and development of the local film industry, conserve and promote the nation's historical and cultural heritage and legacy of Filipino cinema, as well as 10 establish, organize, operate and maintain local and international film festivals, exhibitions and other similar activities that showcase the skills of Filipino talents among 12 the greatest number of audiences across the country and overseas.

Sec. 3. Philippine Film Industry Month. - Pursuant to the policy set forth in this

14 Act, the month of September of every year shall be known as the Film Industry Month. 15 It is for the purpose of creating greater awareness among our people on the role of

1 the Philippine film industry in our nation's culture and way of life and fostering love of 2 country and deeper sense of national identity. The Film Development Council of the 3 Philippines (FDCP) shall be the lead government agency in the celebration of the Philippine Film Industry Month.

Sec. 4. Film Festival. - During this month, the FDCP shall organize a physical

6 and online festival of new quality genre films that will be called Pista ng Pelikulang 7 Pilipino. It is where locally produced movies will be exclusively screened for one week 8 in all regular cinemas nationwide and streaming websites and/or platforms under 9 FDCP. The FDCP shall enter into agreements with local cinema operators to reserve 10 cinema theaters for Film Industry Month screenings and activities.

Sec. 5. Free Film Screenings. - Filipino films, particularly heritage and/or classic

films, landmark works of National Artists for Film, and internationally-acclaimed short or feature-length movies, shall be publicly exhibited for free in all theatrical venues and cinematheques operated by the government including the FDCP, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other similar venues.

Sec. 6. Film Promotion and Education. - The FDCP shall undertake national and

regional activities, such as workshops, conferences, stakeholders summit, dialogues, seminars, capacity building trainings, and similar learning opportunities on various film-related disciplines and sectors, such as but not limited to: a) Acting for film; b) Directing; c) Scriptwriting; d) Editing; e) Camera operations; f) Short Film and Feature Film Production; g) Safety and Health Officers Training; h) Movie Workers Welfare; i) Workshops in Film Incentives; j) Masterclass for filmmakers; k) Film Archiving; 1) Musical score; and

m) Innovation, best practices and trends in the film industry.

Sec. 7. Inter-agency and Multi-sectoral Effort. - With the FDCP being the lead

3 agency, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education 4 (CHED), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other relevant 5 government agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including 6 government-owned or -controlled corporations and State Universities and Colleges 7 (SUCS), as well as the private sector, shall cooperate with the FDCP in promoting and implementing programs and activities for the Philippine Film Industry Month.

Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this

10 Act shall be charged against the budget of the Film Development Council of the 11 Philippines in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,