Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOusE B`iL`L~iro.   5 072
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Introduced by Representative lvan Howard A. Guintu
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Chapter 1, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 declares
tourism  as  an  indispensable  element of the  national  economy  and  an  industry  of national
interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and
cultural  affirmation  to  generate  investment,  foreign  exchange,  and  employment,  and  to
continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos.
The tourism industry contributes significantly to the economic growth of the country,
and has,  one way  or the  other,  improved the  lives of many Filipinos.  Thus, the Philippine
government at various levels has considered tourism as one of its top development priorities to
ensure its sustainabi|ity.1
The tourism industry is a major economic growth driver in our country for its major
contributions  in  our  income  and  gross domestic  product (GDP)  growth.  As the  country  is
slowly opening its borders to foreign tourists, there have been improvements in the share of
tourism to GDP. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Tourism Direct Gross
Value Added (TDGVA) to the Philippine economy, as measured by the GDP, is estimated at
5.2%.  This translates to Php  1,001.30 billion, an increase of 9.2% compared to Php  917.20
billion in 2020. Furthermore, the tourism sector highly contributes to the total employment in
1/https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2014/09/shsconf_4ictr2014_01032.pdf


the country. The employment in the tourism sector was estimated at 4.90 million in 2021, which
translates into 11.1 °/o of the total employment in the country.2
One of the sectors of tourism that the country can tap into is film tourism. The concept
of film tourism relates to tourism promoted directly or indirectly by a tourist destination or
attraction being viewed on screen, including films, TV shows, commercials, and the internet.
Put  simply,  film-induced tourism  is  defined  as tourist visits to the  destination  featured  on
television, video, or cinema screens. 3
People tend to visit particular places by specific images, memories, associations, and
emotional attachments to places and meanings. As reported by Travel Competitive Intelligence
Research (TCI Research), nearly 40 million tourists are inspired by their favorite film.
An example of a country that benefited from film-induced tourism is New Zealand.
New Zealand has been known to be where the trilogy of "Lord of the Rings" has been the
backdrop.  Following the release of the  Lord of the Rings trilogy, the International  Visitor
Survey reported that 6 percent of visitors to New Zealand, which is around 120,000 to 150,000
people, mentioned that one of the main reasons they were visiting New Zealand was because
of The Lord of the Rings. Since then, an average of 47,000 visitors each year visited the film
location.4
One of the benefits of film-tourism to a country is the increase of the cultural value for
the film location. Film can significantly boost the image of a destination, as well as increase
the awareness of the host country. Heritage sites that are used as film locations gain popularity
after the film due to its acquired significance during the narration of the film. The Philippines
has  numerous  heritage  sites  which  would  benefit the  tourism  in  its  location.  To  wit,  the
Avengers:  Infinity  War  had  a  scene  in  The  Banaue  Rice  Terraces;  several  scenes  in  the
Romantic Island was filmed in Boracay, which could possibly explain the influx of Korean
tourists in Boracay; and the Boume Legacy had a scene in EI Nido, Palawan.
2 http s://psa.gov. p h/conter`t/sh a re-tou rism-gdp-52-perce nt-
2021#:~:text=Share%20of%20Tourism%20to%20GDP,in%202021%20%7C%20Pt`ilippine%20Statistics%20Authority
3/http://62.93.45.40/srpc/Articlesrvolume-5/Issue4/23.aspx
4 http ://62.93.45.40/s rpc/Articlesrvol u in e-5/Issue4/23. aspx


This bill proposes to establish measures for the maximization of film and television
tourism as a sector that the tourism industry can tap into. Along with the promotion of the
tourism industry, this measure would also encourage our local film practitioners and artists,
through incentives and tax credits, into creatively filming in our country's heritage sites, which
would actively preserve and promote these sites. As a country that maximizes its tourism sites,
this measure would greatly benefit the state of the tourism industry in the Philippines.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HousE oF REPRESENTATlvns
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE B`ILL No.   5072
Introduced by Representative lvan Howard A. Guintu
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR FILM AND TELEVISION TOURISM IN
THH PHILIPPINHS, CREATING AN INTER-AGENCY COMMITTHE 0N FILM
AND TELHVISI0N TOURISM, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Represeyttatives Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SE:C 1. Title. -This ALct shall be known a:s the " Philippine Film and Television Tourism
Act."
SEC 2. DccJ¢r¢ft.o# a/Po/I.c)I. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to
treat the  film  and television tourism  as  a special  investment and tourism tool  for national
development.
Consistent  with  the  national  goal  of creating  new  areas  of business  to  generate
employment opportunities as well as to recognize Filipino talent, fllm and television tourism
in the country is hereby made a new investment priority, including but not limited to: making
the Philippines a location for shooting or filming area; preserving or promoting the nation's
historical and cultural heritage and resources as well as artistic creations or sceneries depicted
in films, and converting it into tourist attractions; and championing Filipino film practitioners
and artists and their participations in foreign productions.


SrfLC 3. Creoition Of the Philippine Inter Ageney Committee on Film and Television
rowr..sin rp14C-Frz).   - The Philippine Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television
Tourism (PIAC-FTT) is hereby created, replacing the Philippine Film Export Service Office
(PFESO) under the Film Development Council of the Philippines ¢DCP), organized under
Executive Order No. 674, Series of 2007. The Philippine Inter-Agency Committee on Film and
Television Tourism (PIAC-FTT) hereinafter referred to as the Committee shall be under the
Office of the President.
1.   Co"posztz.o#. -The PIAC-FTT shall be composed of an Executive Director and twelve
(12) members, two (2) of whom shall be regular members, while the other ten (10)
members shall be in an ex-officio capacity representing the following agencies:
a.)  Department of Tourism;
b.)  Department of Trade and Industry;
c.)  Department of Interior and Local Government;
d.)  Department of Finance;
e.)  Department of Foreign Affairs;
f.)  Department of Labor and Employment;
9.)  Bureau of Immigration and Deportation;
h.)  Tourism Infrastructure and Entexprise Zone Authority;
i.)   Cinema Evaluation Board;
j.)    Film Academy of the philippines; and
k.)  Private sector representatives, one each from the movie and television
industries
2.   Term a/O#ce. ~ The Executive Director and the two (2) regular members shall hold
office for a term of three (3) years unless sooner removed by the President: Provided,
That they shall be eligible for reappointment after the expiration of their respective
terms: Provided, further, That no Executive Director or regular member shall serve for
more than two (2) consecutive terms.
3.   Exec#fj.1;e  Dz.rec/or.  -  That  the  Executive  Director  shall  be  a  person  of proven
administrative proficiency, independence, knowledgeable of the technical and artistic
aspects of the film production and fully committed to the promotion and development
of Philippine film and television tourism: Provided, further, the Executive Director of


the  PIAC-FTT  shall  be  the  head  of the  Secretariat.  The  Executive  Director  shall
exercise the following duties and responsibilities:
a.)  Execute and administer the policies, plans and programs approved by
the Committee;
b.)   Direct   and   supervise   the   operations   and   internal   affairs   of  the
Committee;
c.)   Establish the internal organization and administrative procedures of the
Committee;
d.)  Recommend  to  the  Committee  the  appointment,  transfer  or  detail,
suspension,   dismissal   for   cause   of  its   subordinate   officials   and
employees;
e.)  Coordinate  and  collaborate  with  various  local  and  national  agencies
concerned  in  the  promotion  and  development  of film  and  television
induced tourism;
f.)  Engage in external relations with stakeholders and coordinating external
partnerships to share best practices, and offer technical assistance;
9.)  Review and improve film and television tourism enterprise development
programs that provide information about cultural and tourism mapping,
financial  literacy,  business planning,  and record keeping to the  local
tourism areas;
h.)  Facilitate the preparation of the armual and supplemental budget of the
Committee; and
i.)    Such other functions which the Committee may assign from time to
time.
4.   jzepresenfc}fz.ve`g.  - The heads  of the  above  stated departments  of government  shall
designate their regular representatives, based on their position in the organization, but
not  lower  than  a  Director-level  position.  The  said  representatives  of the  various
government agencies shall, in addition to their duties provided in this Act, also serve as
the direct link to streamline and develop a one-stop shop system.
5.   j4ppoj.#/7#eJ7ts. -The Executive Director and two (2) regular members representing the
private  sector  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  Philippines  upon  the


recommendation  by  the  Chairperson  of  the  Film  Development  Council   of  the
Philippines.
6.   Secrefczrz.clf. -The Secretariat of the PIAC-FTT shall be based in the Film Development
Council of the Philippines for financial and administrative support. It shall be composed
of existing p/cr77fz.//cz positions and new positions that the Department of Budget and
Management may create that shall be necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act.
7.   A4eefj.#gr. - The Committee shall meet regularly at least once a month or as often as
necessary at the call of the Executive Director or a majority of the members. A simple
majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum to do business.
8.    yc}c¢#cj.es. -If the Executive Director or regular member fails to complete histher term,
the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of
the vacated termi whom he/she succeeds: Provided,  fmally, That such service of the
unexpired portion shall not be counted as a term. Any vacancy in the Committee shall
not affect the powers of the PIAC-FTT.
9.   Compensation. -The members of the PIAC-FIT shall be entitled to honoraria based
on existing government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
SHC 4. Fw#c#.o#s a/P"C-FIT. -The PIAC-FTT shall facilitate a one-stop shop
system for foreign film or television production entities. It shall perform the following:
1.   Development of policies, plans, programs, projects and initiatives that will facilitate the
promotion  and  marketing  of the  Philippines  as  location  site  for the  production  of
international films television and digital programs, such as but not limited to:
a.)  creating and maintaining a website and/ or a manual of philippine Film and
Television Tourism sites for overseas contract workers;
b.)  participating and exposure  in  World Expo, recognized  international  film
festivals, activities for cinema and television with global market penetration,
tourism fairs of international significance;


2.   Frame a 10-year Comprehensive Plan detailing an inventory of film tourism sites in the
country,  areas  for  improvement,  sectors  to  be  tapped,  partnerships  and  marketing
strategies both local and international in application;
3.   Offer tax credits to productions deemed eligible under this Act, which it shall issue no
more than one month after the completion of principal photography;
4.   Formulate and recommend a reward and incentive package for foreign film/television
entities interested in shooting films/television programs in the country and monitor the
implementation thereof;
5.   Utilize the services of tourism attaches abroad, through the Department of Tourism, in
the  promotion  and  marketing  of Philippine  locations  sites/resources  and  local  film
production manpower;
6.   Maintain  an  inventory  of areas  in  the  country  that  may  be  utilized  as  a  film  and
television tourism  site  and a registry of sectors  including  artists,  film practitioners,
technical personnel and others for ready referrals;
7.     Identify key film and television tourism sites used by international or local filmmakers
and establish a PIAC-FTT mark;
8.    Keep a progress report and actual impact of the initiative taking into consideration the
increase in the number of film tourists and its contribution to the economy;
9.    Conduct the feasibility ofestablishing a film and television museum;
10.  Coordinate with various stakeholders and market players for research and study on
feasibility of a reward and incentive system, and other aspects combining tourism and
film, including, but not limited to the system of categories for the application of rewards
and incentives depending on the cinema grade and length of exposure of the identified
Philippine Film and Television Tourism site;
11.  Coordinate with  all  Embassies  and  Consulates  of the  country  to promote  film  and
television tourism;
12.  Coordinate and partner with various associations of Filipino overseas workers abroad
in  marketing,  disseminating  and  propagating  information  on  Philippines  as  a  film
tourism destination;
13.  Coordinate and partner with known Filipinos of international stature in promoting the
country and fulfilling the implementation of this Act;
14.  Call  upon  representatives  of the  different  government  agencies,  various  leaders,
associations  and  stakeholders  in  the  movie  and  tourism  industry  to  help  ensure


compliance with the provisions of this Act and its implementing rules and regulations;
and
15. Exercise  such  other  powers  and  functions  as  may  be  necessary  for  its  effective
operations and for the continued enhancement,  growth or development of film and
television tourism.
SEC 5. Swpporf Jem.ces. - The PIAC-FIT shall ensure support to foreign production
entities, producers, filmmakers and artists, such as, but not limited to:
1.   Providing assistance to in processing pertinent documents and various requirements
relative to the production of international films/television programs in the country and
in complying with environmental regulations;
2.   Coordinating with various government agencies and local goverlment units in assisting
the entry and exit of a foreign film/television production team, such as but not limited
to producers, artists and production crew; and
3.   Provide  direct  link  between  foreign  production  entities,  producers,  filmmakers  and
artists with local production manpower services, local artists, bit players and technical
crew, facilities and the like.
EEC 6. Partnership with Local Government Units (LGUs) - The PIAJC;-FIT shall
partner and collaborate with Local Government Units in the performance of the following:
1.    Create a national strategy for the development offilm tourism;
2.    Identifying and promoting film and television tourism sites;
3.  Facilitating and providing assistance in the easy issuance of permits, certificates
and other documents related thereto;
4.   Assisting  in  screening,  providing,  and  identifying  the  necessary  complementary
manpower requirements before, during and after film and television production;
i.   Providing monetary and non-monetary incentives to the over-all film production team
as far as practicable;
6.   Every  local  government  unit  shall,  insofar  as  practicable,  form  a  local  technical
committee on film and television tourism, and which shall in coordination with and
assistance of the Regional Tourism Office implement policies, plans and initiatives in
line with the PIAC-FTT's Program within each province.


7.    Promote  the  establishment  of  local  film  councils  in  the  cities  and  municipalities
throughout the country composed of representatives from the government and from the
private sector as may be appropriate to implement the purposes and objectives of this
Act and its implementing rules and regulations.
SHC   7.  J#ct"rfuJcs  ¢#d  .4w¢rd  fysfgilL   -  The   PIAC-FTT   shall   establish   and
institutionalize incentives and awards systems for individuals and companies in the form of
financial, technical, marketing and other services and resources as assistance for projects that
promote and develop film and television tourism.  The availment of the  incentives  shall be
subject to  evaluation  of PIAC-FTT  in  coordination with  or through joint efforts with the
concerned agencies implementing the particular incentives availed of.
SEic 8. Amount Of Tax Credit. -
1.   The  minimum  tax  credit  awarded  to  eligible  productions  shall  be  equal  to  twenty
percent (20%) of qunlified expenses, as defined in Section 9 of this Act.
2.   In addition to the minimum tax credit, qualifying films, television shows, movies and
digital content based incentive system, to be administered by the PIAC-FTT. Each point
shall correspond with an additional one percent rebate on all qualifying expenses. Any
production shall only be able to claim one rebate from the following subsections in their
entirety:
a.)  Eligible productions may receive twenty (20) points if the fmal product is
set completely or largely within the Philippines, fifteen (15) points if the
final product contains ten (10) or more  substantive scenes  set within the
Philippines,  and ten (10) points if the final product contains at least five
substantive scenes set within the Philippines;
b.)  Eligible productions may receive twenty (20) points if at least one-half of
filming within the Philippines occurs within a community recovering from
a significant natural disaster that occurred within the preceding three years
or ten (10) points if at least one-fourth of filming within the Philippines
occurs within the same areas; and
c.)  Eligible productions may receive two (2) points if they dedicate at least ten
(10)  seconds  worth  of screen  time  during  the  credit  roll  to  a  message
acknowledging the films participation in the film tax credit program of the


Philippines and providing the URL to a website where viewers can learn
about tourism opportunities in the country.
3.   All qualifying international productions  shall  also receive the  following tax credits.
However, in no situation may the total tax credit amount received for any particular
expense exceed forty percent (40°/o):
a.)  Twenty percent (25°/o) of the cost of construction of any permanent and
useful  infrastructure  built  in the Philippines  for the purposes  of filming,
including likely tourist attractions, subject to approval of the Department of
Tourism;
b.)  Fifteen  percent  (15%)  of all  lodging  within  the  Philippines  booked  for
production team members, for production-related purposes;
c.)  Ten percent (10%) of the cost of all transportation to or from the Philippines
for production team members conducting either production-related travel or
the transportation of filming equipment into the Philippines; and
d.)  Five percent (5%) of the cost associated with the provision of utilities or
technology purchased within the Philippines and the employment, as far as
practicable, of local talents.
SHC  9.  8w¢/JJied Expe#§es. - Qualified expenses for the purposes of determining the
amount of a tax credit shall include any expense incurred within the Philippines directly related
to  pre-production,  production,  or post-production  conducted  within the  Philippines,  unless
otherwise exempted. However, expenses must be reasonable and prices may not substantially
exceed the market value of the procured product or service.
1. Qualified expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses such as or related to:
a.)  Salary, wages, or other compensation such as per diem provided to members
of the production team or subcontractors for any services rendered within
the Philippines;
b.)  Creation,   decoration,   or  operation   of  sets   or   shooting   locations   and
production offices;
c.)  Filming equipment or supplies;
d.)  Locally-sourced photography equipment or services;


e.)  Locally-sourced editing equipment or services;
f.)   Locally-sourced music;
9.)  Catering equipment or services;
h.)  Costumes, make-up, and similar products and services;
i.)   Lodging and domestic, or intemational travel; or
j.)   Insurance.
2.   The PIAC-FTT shall reserve the right to disqualify any expenses that clearly do not fall
within the spirit of the tax credit program, subject to administrative and judicial appeal.
3.   As an assumption, the following shall not be recognized as qualified:
a.)  Those  related  to  distribution  of the  film,  including  but  not  limited  to
marketing and promotion;
b.)  Such as attorney or accounting fees, incurred in the process or as a result of
acquiring  or  challenging  a  government  determination  of  eligibility  for
incentives later reimbursed to the production;
c.)  Items that are later resold by the production, minus any loss incurred;
d.)  Any  amounts  paid  to  members  of the  production  as  a  result  of profit
participation, residual, or similar agreements; and
e.)  Expenses associated with the fmancing of production.
SEC 10.  7lm]c J#ce#rfu;es EJi.g[.dJ./J.fy. -The following requirements must be attained to be
eligible for the incentives program:
1.   Upon certification by PIAC-FFT that the production is a professional endeavor and has
met the PIAC-FFT's requirements in terms of the amount of investment and the amount
of jobs the production will generate; and
2.   Participating productions must agree to cooperate with any audits conducted to ensure
compliance with program eligibility requirements, both during and after production.
SEC  11.  OJjJer I+c/erc#fl.a/ J#ce#fl.veg. - International or foreign  film and television
production entities may, upon certification from the PIAC-FIT, be granted the following:


1.   A4l#/fzzp/e E#try  7rz.scz.  -Foreign nationals who are members of the  international film
production entities, as duly endorsed by the PIAC-FTT, shall be issued a multiple entry
special visa within seventy-two (72) hours upon submission of all required documents,
and which shall be valid for a period of one (1) year to enter the Philippines: Provj.ded,
That a responsible officer of the applicant entity submits a duly authenticated certificate
to the effect that the person who seeks entry into the Philippines is a member of the
applicant entity and will work exclusively for film and television production.
The admission and stay shall be coterminous with the validity of the multiple entry
special visa. The stay, however, is extendible for one hundred eichty (180) days upon
submission  to the  Bureau of Immigration  of a sworn certification by  a responsible
officer of the applicant entity, that its permit remains valid and subsisting, and that no
other source of income has been made.
2.   Tax  and  Duty  Free  Importation.  -  The  international  or  foreign  film  or  television
production entity shall enjoy tax and duty free importation of filming equipment as
determined and endorsed by the PIAC-FTT.
SHC 12. J[eporf ¢#d J[evz.ew. -For the year of its enactment and each year thereafter, the
PIAC-FTT shall render an annual report to both Houses of congress of its accomplishments.
1. The PIAC-FTT shall submit a report describing a summary of the following:
a.) The status of the pilot program under this Act and its IRR;
b.) Meetings and other activities of the Committee; and
c.) The types and volume of assistance and services provided to clients.
2.   A  review  on  the  viability  of the  program  shall  be  made  by  the  both  Houses  of
Congress and other concerned agencies after three (3) years of its implementation.
SEC 13. Jmp/eme#/z.#g ft#/es ¢#d Jicgw/¢/I.our. - The Film Development Council of the
Philippines, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Interior
and Local Government, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of
Immigration  and  Deportation,  Department  of  Labor  and  Employment  and  the  Tourism
Infrastructure and 'Enterprise Zone Authority,  shall promulgate and issue the  implementing
rules and regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval of this Act.


SEC 14. 4proprJ.¢frous. -The amount necessary to implement the provision of this Act
shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
SHC 15. Separ¢bz./try C/¢#se. -In the event that any part, section or provision of this Act
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining provisions
thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if the sections or provisions so annulled
or voided had never been incorporated herein.
SEC 16. jRcpe¢JI."g CJ¢usc. -Executive Order No. 674, Series of 2007, is hereby amended.
All  laws,  decrees,  executive  orders,  issuances,  rules  and  regulations,  or  parts  thereof not
consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified and/or superseded as
case may be by this Act accordingly.
SEC  17.  E/Tec#.vrty.  -This  Act  shall take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its  complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general  circulation,
whichever comes earlier.
Approved,