REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

'? RECEIVED

1 are SEP
TIME

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8260
House BillNo._

Introduced by Representative SARAH JANE I. ELAGO - Kabataan Party-list

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The promotion of Filipino culture is an integral part of nation building. National
development cannot merely be measured through the qualification of material and economic
gains, but in the overall and holi

ic development of the people in their political, social and culeural
life as a nation. The 1987 Philippine Constitution even devotes several provisions on the
promotion and preservation of Philippine arts and culture as an indispensable aspect of national
development. Sec. 16, Art. XIV, for example, Provides that “The State shall conserve, promote,

and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic
creations.”

An important aspect of any national heritage and culture is a nation’s cinema. A “national
cinema.” loosely defined, is a country’s body of films that embodies the social and cultural identity
of its people. The film medium has, throughout this century, been an important means of
reflecting the life of our nation through various genres that depict the lives of Filipinos. A genuine
national policy on the promotion of Filipino cultural heritage cannot therefore exist without the

inclusion of Philippine cinema development and appreciation as an integral part thereof.

During these times when economic conditions, like market forces and the cost of
production, and the lack of government support have hampered and limited the full development
of a truly vibrant Philippine cinema and the preservation of its history, and at a time when our
youth are increasingly being bombarded by the influence of foreign films, it becomes more
imperative and urgent to introduce our youth to Philippine cinema through series of lecture, or


through an entire subject taught in secondary schools with regard to Filipino films with a focus on
its appreciation as a collective body of artistic creations that enhance and reflect the cultural and
societal identity of our nation.

In the same way Philippine literature, through classics such as Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, among others, is taught in schools as a means of promoting and preserving one
aspect of Filipino cultural heritage and history, Philippine cinema should likewise be given the
opportunity to be appreciated by our youth, with the hope not only of providing them a picture of
our identity and our history as a people, but also with the hope of inspiring them to take advantage
of the medium, in its traditional and its digital variations, in order to showcase and express their
aspirations as the bearers of our nation’s future.

This bill - which was first filed in the 15th Congress by former Kabataan Party-list Rep.
Raymond Palatino, then again filed in the 16th Congress by former Kabataan Party-list Rep.
Terry Ridon - seeks to institute the mandatory instruction of Philippine cinema appreciation
courses formulated by the Department of Education, in consultation with the National
Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA) and the University of the Philippines Film Institute
(UPFI), in secondary schools across the country as separate subjects of incorporated in existing
subjects now being taught, whichever is more practicable.

In view of fh9 foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

=

Rep. S. JANE L. ELAGO
abgtatn Party-list


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Third Regular Session

House Resolution No.

8260

Introduced by Representative SARAH JANE I. ELAGO - Kabataan Party-list

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY INSTRUCTION OF
PHILIPPINE CINEMA APPRECIATION IN SECONDARY
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY 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 “Philippine Cinema
Appreciation Act for High School Students.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It shall be the policy of the State to promote the
development of and the appreciation of culture and the arts as an integral part of nation building.
Ik shall take appropriate steps in order to fulfill this mandate. Ie shall, in particular, provide
sufficient support for the promotion of Philippine cinema through instruction in secondary
schools.

SECTION 3. The Department of Education, in consultation and in close coordination
with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA), Film Development Council of the
Philippines, and the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPF1), shall formulate courses,
and special lectures on Philippine Cinema to be taught in secondary schools across the country as


separate subjects or incorporated in existing subjects now being taught, whichever is more
practicable.

SECTION 4. The Department of Education shall also consult and coordinate with the
NCAA and the UPFI, in the writing, printing and publication of textbooks, manuals and other
reading materials, and in the acquisition of film and other audio-visual materials, to be used in the
Philippine cinema appreciation courses.

SECTION 5. Appropriations, - The amount necessary for the policy formulation,
program planning, standards development and instructional materials development, and the
general implementation of this Act shall be incorporated in the annual budget of the Department
of education under the General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education shall
promulgate and issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) days after
the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation. The instruction of

Philippine cinema appreciation shall be taught on the academic year succeeding the effectivity of
this Act.

JANE I. ELAGO
aan Party-list