Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
16th CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL NOB916

INTRODUCED BY HON. FREDENIL H. CASTRO

EXPLAN, TE

According to the Department of Tourism website, our Tourist Visitor arrivals in 2013
was at 4,681,307. This is 9.56% higher than the Tourist Visitor arrivals of 4,272,811 recorded
in 2012. These numbers, while increasing, could be greatly improved through the help of
film tourism,

While film tourism has long been used in other countries, the Philippines has been
lagging behind in using such an approach in promoting our tourist spots.

Genuinely, various beautiful sceneries and sites in the Philippines should be
offered/promoted not only to tourists but to foreign film producers as well. In so doing, our
tourism industry will benefit. Simultaneously, the use of our beautiful sites will
project/depict/picture the beauty of our country, and this in turn will generate income both
from the tourism industry and the film making industry. Additional income will also be
generated through, among others, the lease of equipment, the hiring of
talents/workers/laborers needed for the film production, the sale of souvenir items and even
film memorabilia.

Indeed, film tourism presents to us an untapped source of revenue. Through this bill,
our government will be mandated to throw its support to a very powerful medium in
attracting tourists to our nation.

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

. FREDENIL H. CASTRO
‘epresentative
2nd District Capiz


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
16th CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL, Nnos9 16

INTRODUCED BY HON. FREDENIL H. CASTRO

AN ACT
PROMOTING FILM TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES, MARKETING THE INDUSTRY
GLOBALLY AND PROVIDING NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE
SECTOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1, Title. This Act shall be known as the "Philippines Film Tourism Act of
2013."

Section 2. Film Tourism and Its Objectives. Consistent with the national goal of
creating new areas of business to generate employment opportunities as well as to recognize
Filipino talent, film tourism in the country is hereby made a new investment priority. It ean be
in the form of making the Philippines as a location shooting or filming area for various media
activities, It can also be by preserving or promoting nation’s historical and cultural heritage
and resources as well as artistic creations or sceneries depicted in films and making it as
tourist attractions. It can also be in the form of championing Filipino film practitioners and
artists and their participation in foreign productions.

Section 3. A Select Committee To Implement Film Tourism. A select inter-agency
Committee on Film Tourism is hereby created with the Department of ‘Tourism Secretary and
the Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairman as Co-Chair, The Committee
shall have six members: three (3) each from the private and public sector representing but not
limited to business and investments, league of local government units, artists and film
practitioners, travel and airline sector, historical and cultural heritage, overseas Fi
workers, television and cinema groups and other relevant partners.

Section 4. Comprehensive Plan to Implement Film Tourism. For the purpose of this
Act, the inter-agency Committee shall formulate a Comprehensive Plan detailing an
inventory of film tourism sites in the country, areas for improvement, sectors to be tapped and
partnerships, marketing strategies both local and international, the feasibility of establishing a
Film Museum, reward and incentive system, and other aspects combining tourism and film. It
shall consult stake holders and market players for the effective and efficient implementation
of this Act.


The inter-agency Committee on Film Tourism shall devise ways and mechanisms to
promote the Philippines as a Film Tourism Site, which shall include participating and
exposure in World Expo, recognized international film festivals, activities for cinema and
television with global market penetration, tourism fairs of international significance, among
others. Provided, That in case a Filipino film is considered in competition, nominated for
excellence or cinema prizes, or to be exhibited in recognition of its achievement in arts in a
recognized international film festival, its Production Team including but not limited to its
Director, Producer, Writer. and Actors shall be provided full government support to attend the
said festival. Provided, further, that the inter-agency committee shall endeavor to put
premium on promoting, marketing, and distributing Filipino films, television programs of
local content, MTVs, short films and similar other art works of distinction. Provided, finally,
that in the case of exposition or fairs showcasing outstanding films and TV programs, a single
unified Philippine booth must be endeavored with all relevant stakeholders as participants.

For the effective implementation of this Act, the inter-agency Committee on Film Tourism
shall coordinate with all Embassies and Consulates of the country to promote film tourism. The
Committee shall also partner with various associations of Filipino overseas workers abroad in
marketing, disseminating and propagating information on Philippines as a film tourism
destination.

‘The inter-agency Committee may partner with known Filipinos of international stature in
promoting the country and fulfilling the implementation of this Act,

Section 5. A Lean Secretariat To Assist in Film Tourism Duties. A small group Secretariat
in the Film Development Council is hereby created, where initially existing personnel of the
Department of Tourism and the Council maybe seconded. On the second year of its
implementation, a lean permanent Secretariat is hereby established headed by an Executive
Director and a plantilla of not more than ten (10) personnel.

‘The Secretariat shall maintain an inventory of areas in the country that may be utilized as
‘a film tourism site. They shall also maintain a registry of sectors including artists, film,
practitioners, technical personnel and others for ready referrals. The Secretariat shall also track
the progress and actual impact of the Initiative taking into consideration the increase in the
number of film tourists and its contribution to the economy.

‘They shall assist and shall be the Secretariat of the the inter-agency Committee.

Section 6. Appropriations. The amount of fifty million pesos (Php 50,000,000.00) is
hereby appropriated. Initially, fifty percent (50%) of the funds may be sourced from the funds or
earnings generated from copyrights or other artistic creations being registered in the Intellectual
Property Office (IPO). The remaining fifty percent (50%) shall be sourced from the appropriation
of the Department of Tourism (DOT). Thereafter, the amount necessary for the effective
implementation of this Act shall be added and charged to the appropriations of the Film
Development Council of the Philippines.

Section 7. Separability Clause. In the event that any provision or part of this Act shall be
declared unconstitutional by the courts, the remaining provisions shall remain valid and in full
force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, decrees, issuances, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.


Section 9. Effectivity. This 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,