EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
■* ■ ^ 
^ C ^ 5 ^
c[ I'lr i
SENA?5o
S. No.
*19 
JULIO 
A 9 '48
Rr
:
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR FILM AND TELEVISION TOURISM IN 
THE 
PHILIPPINES, 
MARKETING 
THE 
INDUSTRY 
GLOBALLY 
AND 
PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR THE SECTOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
Film tourism is defined as "tourist visits to a destination or attraction as a 
result of the destination's being featured on television, video or the cinema screen." 
It is a growing worldwide phenomenon, fueled by both the growth of the, 
entertainment industry and the increase in international travel.
Several countries have already capitalized on the spiraling phenomenon of 
film tourism. South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, the United States of America, United 
Kingdom and New Zealand are some examples. Their governments, airline 
companies and tourism organizations have initiated measures to promote famous 
and even previously untapped destinations where the film was set as tourist 
attractions.
In their research entitled "Promoting Destinations via Film Tourism: An 
Empirical Identification o f Supporting Marketing Initiatives" published in May 2006 in 
the Journal of Travel Research, Simon Hudson and J.R. Brent Ritchie cited increased 
tourist arrivals in destinations where famous films took place. As cited, the Wallace 
Monument in Scotland saw a 300% increase in visitors a year after the movie 
"Braveheart" was filmed which starred Mel Gibson in 1995. 'The Lord o f the Rings" 
franchise, filmed in New Zealand, also saw a steady increase of 10% in tourist 
arrivals from 1998-2003 from United Kingdom alone.
The following information are also significant (the list of film titles, the film 
locations and the boost in tourism percentage):
• 
"Steel Magnolias" Louisiana; 48% increase year after release
• 
"Harry Potter"yanous locations in U.K.; All locations saw an increase of 50% 
or more


"Mission Impossible 2 " National Parks in Sydney; 200% increase in 2000 
"Last o f the Mohicans" 0\\mr\ey Rock Park, North Carolina; 25% increase year 
after release
'The Fugitive Diiisboro"HoTh Carolina; 11 % increase year after release 
"Little Women Orchard House" Concord, Massachusetts; 65% increase year 
after release
"Bull Durham "North Carolina; 25% increase in attendance year after release 
'The 5e<3c/7"Thailand; 22% increase in youth market in 2000 
In particular, a previously unknown Koh Phi Phi in Thailand where "The 
Beach" \N^iS shot, instantly gained life and saw a surge in domestic tourism 
after the film.
However, very little effort has been done to promote film tourism in the 
Philippines. This is unfortunate considering that several films have been set in the 
Philippines, such as Apocalypse Now {1979)‘, The Year o f Living Dangerously 
Platoon (1986); and Born on the Fourth o f July (1989). The fourth season of The 
Bourne Legacy 
filmed in the Philippines in 2012. Finally, several seasons of the 
SurvivorlM series have been filmed in the Caramoan islands in Camarines Sur.
Film tourism can boost our country's tourism industry. This is important 
because our tourism industry can promote broad based inclusive growth due to its 
strong inter-connections with other sectors of our economy. It is estimated that 1 
tourist can generate jobs in six different industries and that 1 out of every 10 jobs is 
directly attributable to tourism.
In view of the foregoing, swift approval of this bill is eagerly sought.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 322
/ i. ■' •>
' Ttfjrfc/-(DffitP of tui’ . 
' . .n i;'
'19 
JULIO 
A9-49
Introduced by Senator Grace PoiECE!VLD
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR FILM AND TELEVISION TOURISM IN 
THE 
PHILIPPINES, 
MARKETING 
THE 
INDUSTRY 
GLOBALLY 
AND 
PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR THE SECTOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled.
1 
Section. 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Film and
2 
Television Tourism Act of 2019."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared to be the policy of the
4 
State to treat the film and television tourism as a special investment and tourism
5 
tool for national development.
6 
Consistent with the national goal of creating new areas of business to
7 
generate employment opportunities as well as to recognize Filipino talent, film and
8 
television tourism in the country is hereby made a new investment priority. It can be
9 
in the form of making the Philippines as a location shooting or filming area for
10 
various media activities, including, but not limited to making the Philippines a
11 
duplicate site. It can also be by preserving or promoting the nation's historical and
12 
cultural heritage and resources as well as artistic creations or sceneries depicted in
13 
films, and converting it into tourist attractions. It can also be in the form of
14 
championing Filipino film practitioners and artists and their participations in foreign
15 
productions.
16 
Sec. 3. Creation o f Philippine Film and Television Tourism Authority (PFTTA).
17 
-  The affairs related to film and television tourism shall be administered by the


1 
Philippine Film and Television Tourism Authority (PFTTA), thus replacing the
2 
Philippine Film Export Service Office (PFESO) under the Film Development Council of
3 
the Philippines (FDCP), organized under Executive Order No. 674, Series of 2007.
4 
The PFTTA shail be headed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), a position
5 
which shali be equivaient to an Executive Director III position of the Film
6 
Development Council and which shaii be a career executive service officer position to
7 
be recommended by the Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the
8 
Philippines and appointed by the President.
9 
The members of the Authority shall be composed of representatives from the
10 
foliowing agencies:
11 
a) Department of Tourism
12 
b) Department of Trade and Industry
13 
c) Department of Interior and Locai Government and its attached
14 
agencies
15 
d) Department of National Defense
16 
e) Department of Finance
17 
f) Department of Foreign Affairs
18 
g) Department of Labor and Employment
19 
h) Movie and Television Review Classification Board
20 
i) National Commission for Cuiture and the Arts
21 
j) Private sector 
representatives, one 
each from the movie and
22 
television industries.
23 
The heads of the above stated departments shali designate their reguiar
24 
representatives, based on their position in the organization, but not iower than a
25 
Director-level position. The said representatives of the various government agencies
26 
shall, in addition to their duties in the Authority, also serve as the direct link to
27 
streamline and develop the one-stop-shop system.
28 
The Secretariat of the PFTTA shali be based in the Film Development Council
29 
of the Philippines for finandai and administrative support. It shail be composed of
30 
eight (8) regular plantilla positions already approved and to be augmented by the
31 
Department of Budget and Management, including existing positions in the Philippine
32 
Export Services Office of the FDCP.


1 
Sec. 4. Functions o f PFTTA. -  The PFTTA shall facilitate the One-Stop-Shop
2 
System for foreign film or television production entities. It shall undertake the
3 
following:
4 
a) Facilitate the promotion and marketing of the Philippines as
5 
location site for the production of international films and
6 
television programs, such as but not limited to: creating and
7 
maintaining a website and/ or a manual of Philippine Film and
8 
Television Tourism 
sites for overseas contract workers;
9 
participating 
and 
exposure 
in 
World 
Expo, 
recognized
10 
international film festivals, activities for cinema and television
11 
with global market penetration, tourism fairs of international
12 
significance. Provided, that in case a Filipino film is considered
13 
in a competition, nominated for excellence or cinema prizes, or
14 
to be exhibited in recognition of its achievement in arts in a
15 
recognized international film festival, its Production Team
16 
including, but not limited to its Director, Producer, Writer, and
17 
Actors shall be provided with full government support, such as
18 
but not limited to, financial assistance, security and ease in
19 
document processing to attend the said festival. Provided
20 
further, that the PFTTA shall endeavor to put a premium on
21 
promoting, marketing, and distributing Filipino films, television
22 
programs of local content, MTVs, short films and similar other
23 
remarkable art works. Provided, finally, that in the case of
24 
expositions or fairs showcasing outstanding films and TV
25 
programs, 
a 
single 
unified 
Philippine 
booth 
must 
be
26 
endeavored with all relevant stakeholders as participants.
27 
b) Assist in the implementation of a reward and incentive package
28 
for foreign film/television entities interested 
in 
shooting
29 
films/television 
programs 
in 
the 
country 
and 
submit
30 
recommendations related thereon;
31 
c) Assist foreign film production entities in processing pertinent
32 
documents and various requirements relative to the production


1 
of international films/television programs in the country and in
2 
complying with environmental regulations;
3 
d) Coordinate with various government 
agencies and 
local
4 
government units in assisting the entry and exit of a foreign
5 
film/television production team, such as but not limited to
6 
producers, artists and production crew;
7 
e) Provide 
direct 
link 
between 
foreign 
production 
entities,
8 
producers, 
filmmakers and 
artists with 
local 
production
9 
manpower services, local artists, bit players and technical
10 
crew, facilities and the like;
11 
f) Utilize the services of tourism attaches abroad, through the
12 
Department of Tourism, in the promotion and marketing of
13 
Philippine locations sites/resources and local film production
14 
manpower;
15 
g) Maintain an inventory of areas in the country that may be
16 
utilized as a film and television tourism site and a registry of
17 
sectors including artists, film practitioners, technical personnel
18 
and others for ready referrals;
19 
h) Identify key film 
and television tourism 
sites 
used 
by
20 
international or local filmmakers and establish a PFTTA mark;
21 
i) Keep a progress report and actual impact of the initiative
22 
taking into consideration the increase in the number of film
23 
tourists and its contribution to the economy;
24 
j) Implement the Comprehensive Plan 
of the inter-agency
25 
committee.
26 
Sec. 5. Powers o f the PFTTA. -  The PFTTA shall have the power to issue a
27 
One-Stop Shop authenticated security seal, which shall be recognized by the various
28 
government agencies related to facilitating the processing of pertinent documents
29 
such as, but not limited to work permits, visa applications, ATA Carnets-type
30 
document.
31 
Sec. 6. Creation o f Inter-Agency Committee on Him and Television Tourism. -
32 
An Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism 
hereinafter referred to


1 
as (lAC-FTT) is hereby created. It shall be the governing Board and policy-making
2 
body of the PFTTA.
3 
Sec. 7. Composition o f the lAC-FTT. -  The Film Development Council of the
4 
Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson shall act as the Administrator. The Department of
5 
Tourism Secretary or his representative shall act as Co-Chair. The inter-agency
6 
committee shall have six 
members: three (3) each from the private and public
7 
sector representing but not limited to business and investments, league of local
8 
government units, artists and film practitioners, travel and airline sector, historical
9 
and cultural heritage, overseas Filipino workers, film and television groups and other
10 
relevant partners, to be determined by the Chairperson and Co-Chair.
11 
The Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and the members of the lAC-FTT shall be
12 
entitled to allowances and per diems, in accordance with existing policies, rules and
13 
regulations on the matter.
14 
The lAC-FTT shall automatically cease to operate upon the submission of the
15 
Comprehensive Plan to Congress, or within five (5) years from the approval of this
16 
Act, whichever comes earlier. The lAC-FTT will automatically cease to exist upon
17 
the expiration of the five (5) years, unless otherwise extended by Resolution of both
18 
Flouses of Congress.
19 
Sec. 8. Functions o f the lAC-FTT. -  For purposes of this Act, the Inter-Agency
20 
Committee shall:
21 
a) Formulate a Comprehensive Plan detailing an inventory of film tourism
22 
sites in the country, areas for improvement, sectors to be tapped and
23 
partnerships, 
marketing 
strategies 
both 
local 
and 
international 
in
24 
application;
25 
b) Conduct the feasibility of establishing a Film and Television Museum and
26 
study the promotion for the establishment of more Sound Stage Studios.
27 
c) Coordinate with various stakeholders and market players for research and
28 
study on feasibility of a reward and incentive system, and other aspects
29 
combining tourism and film, including, but not limited to the system of
30 
categories for the application of rewards and incentives depending on the
31 
cinema grade and length of exposure of the identified Philippine Film and
32 
Television Tourism site.


1 
d) Coordinate with ali Embassies and Consulates of the country to promote
2 
film and television tourism.
3 
e) Coordinate and partner with various associations of Filipino overseas
4 
workers abroad in marketing, disseminating and propagating information
5 
on Philippines as a film tourism destination.
6 
f) Coordinate and partner with known Filipinos of international stature in
7 
promoting the country and fulfilling the implementation of this Act.
8 
Sec. 9. Preferential Incentives. -  International or foreign film and television
9 
production entities may, upon certification from the PFTTA, be granted the
10 
following:
11 
a) Multiple Entry Visa. - Foreign nationals who are members of the
12 
international film production entities, as duly endorsed by the PFTTA, shall
13 
be issued a multiple entry special visa within seventy-two (72) hours upon
14 
submission of all required documents, and which shall be valid for a period
15 
of one (1) year to enter the Philippines: Provided, Ih h t a responsible
16 
officer of the applicant entity submits a duly authenticated certificate to
17 
the effect that the person who seeks entry into the Philippines is a
18 
member of the applicant entity and will work exclusively for film and
19 
television production. The admission and stay shall be coterminous with
20 
the validity of the multiple entry special visa. The stay, however, is
21 
extendible for one hundred eighty (180) days upon submission to the
22 
Bureau of Immigration of a sworn certification by a responsible officer of
23 
the applicant entity; that its permit remains valid and subsisting, and that
24 
no other source of income has been made.
25 
b) Tax and Duty Free Importation. -  The international or foreign film or
26 
television production entity shall enjoy tax and duty free importation of
27 
filming equipment as determined and endorsed by the PFTTA.
28 
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The Film Development
29 
Council, Department of Tourism, Department of Finance and the Bureau of
30 
Immigration and Deportation, shall promulgate and issue the implementing rules
31 
and regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval of this Act.


1 
Sec. 11. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to implement the provision
2 
of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
3 
Sec. 13. Separabiiity Ciause. -  In the event that any provision or part of this
4 
Act shall be declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain valid
5 
and in full force and effect.
6 
Sec. 14. Repeaiing Ciause. -  Section 105 (j) of the Tariff and Customs Code is
7 
hereby repealed, accordingly. All other laws, orders, decrees, issuances, rules and
8 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
9 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
10 
Sec. 15. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
11 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
12 
general circulation, whichever comes earlier.
Approved,