twentieth congress of the
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
s. No. 4?7
-:) JUL 14 ;;1Q:39
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
APPR?pNRMnNEGFUTND0SN™EREFORARCHIVE °F THE "H'LIPWNES AND
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2019, the country celebrated the lOO* anniversary of Philippine cinema. 
The centennial year was declared to honor and commemorate the release of the 
very first Filipino produced and directed feature film, Jose Nepomuceno's "Dalagang 
Buk,d” in September 12, 1919. Unfortunately, the movie is now considered a lost
film. With no surviving print or copy, and that the present generation can neither 
watch nor access this important work anywhere.
Such IS the case for many Filipino films, especially those belonging to the 
Golden Ages of Cinema. Many films, that are snapshots of the nation's history and 
social realities, were unable to survive the test of time, and were left to decay and 
degrade over the years. Also, notable works of our renowned him makers, including 
our National Artists for Film, were also neglected and not properly taken care of.
According to the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), "about 
65 percent" of our vast cinematic heritage "have been lost or destroyed, and 
whatever is left that's unpreserved is exposed to damage and deterioration each


day."1 It is also estimated that out of more than s non
around 2,000 have surviving copies.^ 
' m°VleS Sh0t °n film' 0nly
While Republic Act No. 9167 already directs the FDCP to establish a n 
archive, it functions as a division of the Fnrp an. 
m
limited personnel and resources 
"" --
permanent facility for him presenration with enough stolT6"' °f ^ 9167' ' 
equipment is yet to be realized. Hence there is a need f > SPaC6 and Pr°Per 
-t more government support can be al^: 
“
national policy on safeguarding our cultural treasures be put in place. m°re 'Ve
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
X
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA
.....
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twentieth congress of the
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 477
2b JUL 14 diO 39
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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AN ACT
AP^EROPRG1A}IHNEGrUND°sN^^^ 
0F THE -HILI-PINES AND
^ngr'sTsLle',: SBnate H°USe RePresentatives of the Ph,llPPines in
Act".
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ’National Film Archive
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - it is the policy of the State to conserve
promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources,’ 
as well as artistic creations.
The State shall pursue, conserve and promote the Filipino cultural heritage
and resources, including the cinematographic and audiovisual works made and
produced by Filipinos that are of historical importance and cultural merit. The State
Shall give priority for the safeguard, protection and presenration of Filipino films as
essential tools for the preservation of the country's history, cultural memory and 
national identity.
Sec. 3. Creation of the National Film Archive of the PhiUppines (NFAP). - 
There is hereby created a National Film Archive of the Philippines (NFAP) which shall 
be the principal government body tasked to acquire, conserve and protect film 
negatives and/or prints of the nation's historical, cultural, and artistic heritage. It 
shall also be in charge of the safekeeping, maintenance and restoration of all Filipino 
films and other audiovisuals produced in the Philippines.


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sec. 4. Powers and Functions. - The NFAP shall have the following powers 
and functions:
a) Plan, formulate and Implement an archival administration program for
the efficient recovery, restoration, conservation, preservation,
maintenance, utilization and disposal of cinematographic films,
including the adoption of security measures and film protection 
program;
b) Review and approve films nominated for inclusion in the National Film 
Archive;
C) Conduct archival researches using materials here and abroad, including
background studies about fiims considered for inclusion in the National 
Film Archive;
d) Acquire through transfer, donation, purchase or any other means film 
prints and digital masters of films which have enduring archival value;
e) Ensure the preservation and conservation of existing and future 
archival resources of the government;
0 Reproduce and authenticate copies of cinematic films, subject to 
copyright laws;
g) Facilitate the acquisition of a permanent and suitable building to house 
the country's film archival holdings;
h) Build the necessary facilities and laboratories and acquire state-of-the-
art equipment for the proper safekeeping and restoration of films in its 
custody;
i) Promote appreciation of and build cultural values from the cinematic 
film in the National Film Archive;
j) Provide for access for scholarly and research process, subject to 
reasonable guidelines;
k) Make Filipino films readily available for educational, historical, and 
cultural purposes to all segments of Philippine society, as well as the 
international community;


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l) Establish a media library and/or film theater wherein students,
researchers and the generai public can view and access Filipino films,” 
subject to guidelines;
m) Give technical assistance to all government offices, instrumentalities, 
and agencies, national or local in the planning, implementation and 
evaluation of their film archives administration program;
n) Provide recommendations and assistance to higher educational 
institutions on the creation and administration of academic courses and 
trainings in relation to film preservation and restoration;
O) Establish linkages with the private sector, domestic and abroad, in
order to advance and upgrade capacities in film preservation and
restoration, and to locate and acquire lost negatives and records of 
Filipino films; and
P) Condurt training programs on film archives management, including the 
establishment of an archival system for both public and private sectors.
Sec. 5. Executive Director. - The NEAP shall be headed by an Executive
Director with a rank equivalent to a bureau director and who shall be assisted by two 
deputy executive directors.
The President of the Philippine shall appoint the executive director and the
two deputy executive directors from a list of nominees submitted by the Film
Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP): Provided, That said officials to be
appointed to the NFAP shall be knowledgeable of the artistic, historical, cultural
and/or technical aspects of film evaluation, restoration and/or archiving along world- 
class standards.
The executive director and deputy executive directors shall serve for a term of 
two (2) years and shall be eligible for reappointment for a second term: Provided, 
That no director shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms: Provided 
further, if any director fails to complete a term, the person appointed to fill the 
vacancy shall serve for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whom 
he/she succeeds, unless re-appointed: Provided finaiiy, That such service of the 
unexpired portion shall not be counted as a term.


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Sec. 6. Staffing Pattern. - The NFAP shall establish its own staffing pattern, 
and salary and compensation scheme, within six (6) months from the effectivity of 
this Act, subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Sec. 7. Submission of fiims. — Film companies or individual producers of 
Filipino films that are commercially exhibited within the Philippines, or directed by a 
Filipino director, are hereby required to submit, at reasonable cost, a copy of their 
film to the NFAP within three (3) months from its official release for the singular 
purpose of preserving a copy of such for the archive.
Sec. 8. Impiementing Rules and Reguiations. - The Film Development Council 
of the Philippines shall, in consultation with the National Historical Commission of the 
Philippines (NHCP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the 
National Archives of the Philippines (NAP), issue the necessary rules and regulations 
for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be charged against the agencies' current budget and shall thereafter be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any section or part of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not otherwise affected 
shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, 
are deemed repealed and modified accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever 
comes earlier.
Approved,