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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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‘Quezon City ote: Dene 14 2016
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‘SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS a BY: a
First Regular Session ey,
684 Se mney wT

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Hon. Edward Vera Perez Maceda

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Countries from different parts of the world have made themselves famous for their respective tourist destinations.
From the enchanting cherry blossoms of Japan to the refreshing beaches of Hawaii, the undeniable splendor of
such destinations have captivated the hearts of tourists from all over the world.

Many of these sites boosted their popularity by having their beauty showcased to more people around the world.
‘One of the undeniably helpful avenues that supplemented their popularity is through films, whose filmmakers
have been fascinated by the beauty of such sites, and have chosen to set their films therein.

Just like other countries, the Philippines prides its self of a variety of equally, if not, more enchanting destinations.
Recognized as a prime tourist destination, the Philippines is a heme to world-class tropical beaches, fascinating
dive spots, world-renowned surfing destinations, remarkable mountain ranges and landscapes, astounding clear
waters of waterfalls, and so much more.

it has long been established by various studies that tourism has made positive economic impacts to the
Philippines. Tourism has paved way for foreign investments that have undeniably helped with the development
of our economy. Moreover, tourism aided our Filipino people by introducing more jobs and opportunities to grow
financially. Therefore, it is only fitting that we, as a country, work to further develop our efforts towards tourism
and reap its benefits.

Itis high time that we build on the momentum that the Tourism Act of 2009 has enabled for us. The promotion
of tourist spots through films, TV shows, music videos, and other media endeavors that showcase our prime
destinations will be of great help in making these spots known to more people all over the world. Moreover, this
bill will promote our globally-competitive filmmakers, production facilities, and technical crew, whose fortes can
be utilized to assist foreign productions, which in turn creates job opportunities for our people.

Ultimately, this bill will not only serve as an enabling platform for the Philippines to showcase its astounding
world-class destinations, but also an opportunity for us, as a nation, to develop our efforts towards tourism while
giving our local filmmakers, production houses, and technical crews, their well-deserved recognition.

Due to the developmental and timely nature of this bill, its immediate passa law is earnestly sought.

EDWARD VERSA PEREZ MACEDA
CONGRESSMAN, 4™ DISTRICT OF MANILA



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4684

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Hon. Edward Vera Perez Maceda

AN ACT
TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE FILM TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS AND
INCENTIVES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 4. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Film Tourism Act of 2016."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby deciared the policy of the State to promote the country's potential
as a prime film tourist destination, showcasing the various islands of the country as the perfect setting for movies,
TV shows, music videos and other media projects and highlighting the country's globally competent filmmakers,
state-of-the-art production facilities and capable technical crew willing and ready to assist foreign production and
media outfits.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — When used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a) Accreditation — the certification issued by the Department of Tourism (DOT) recognizing the holder as having
complied with the minimum standards and requirements prescribed by the Department for the operation and
maintenance of film tourism Services

b) Film Tourism — the traveling of persons to other Countries for the purpose of filming movies, TV shows, music
videos and other media projects.

SECTION 4. Film Tourism Information. - The Department of Tourism, in coordination with the National
Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Film Development Council, and officials of all local government units
nationwide, and in consultation with various groups involved in cinema, film production, theater arts,
communications and promotions, and other aspects of film-making shall identify the world-class cinema-related
service providers that have the capability to engage in fiim tourism services.

A system of continuing information dissemination on film tourism shall be adopted.

SECTION 5. Promotion of Film Tourism. - The consular officers and employees of the various Philippine
embassies and consulates based in other countries shall have ready information and data on film tourism
services available in the country.

They shall likewise encourage the officers and members of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) associations
to promote and disseminate information regarding film tourism in the country as their contribution towards a
sustainable industrial growth.

SECTION 6. Accreditation of World-Class Film Tourism Providers. - The DOT is hereby mandated to conduct a
national accreditation and affiliation program to identified providers of World-class filmmaking, tour operators,


service providers, production companies and facilities, theater groups and cinema guilds, and other film service
providers in the country.

SECTION 7. Assistance for Intemational Accreditations. - The Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination
with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall assist the various film companies, actor's guild, theater
groups, media outfit, and other film service providers in seeking accreditation from foreign governments so that
they may qualify to serve foreign productions and clients.

SECTION 8. Fiscal Incentives. - Accredited film productions and institutions and other service providers actively
participating in the film tourism industry shall be exempt from payment of EVAT and customs duties for the
importation of cinema equipment and facilities necessary for their operation,

SECTION 9. Preferential Treatment on Government Transactions on Film Tourism ~ To ensure active promotion
and full development of the film tourism in the country, all government transactions concerning the business
operation film productions, media companies, and all organizations, groups, entities and institutions involved in
the film tourism shall be given preferential treatment.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations — The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall promulgate the
Necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included
and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the various agencies of the government involved in the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — Any provision of this Act declared unconstitutional shall not affect the
validity of the other provisions thereof.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — All orders, rules, regulations and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 14, Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,