Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8173

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “Arts and letters shall enjoy the
patronage of the State. The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical
and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.”

Art is an essential tool for nation building. It is integral to a nation’s struggle for national identity
as it has the ability to evoke dialogue, induce reflection and charter new relationships and ideas—
all of which are essential to a healthy society.

Artistic creations such as movies or films are often utilized to reflect the societal realities,
community struggles, and a nation’s aspirations. Simply put, movies and films are imprints of our
nation’s history, culture and identity. The works of classic Filipino filmmakers Lino Brocka, Manuel
Conde, Ishmael Bernal, among many others, are testament to how our culture and history are
embedded in films. Unfortunately, we have lost numerous films from the earlier years due to
inadequate efforts towards the preservation of Filipino classic films.

In consideration of the many creations which we have permanently lost, this measure seeks to
create a national film archive which shall be responsible for an archival administration program
for the efficient recovery, restoration, conservation, presentation, maintenance, utilization and
disposal or cinematographic films. This is proposed to ensure that future generations will have
access to these cinematic imprints of the Filipino heritage.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

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2nd District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILt No, 8174

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL FILM ARCHIVE TO BE MANAGED BY THE FILM
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a National Film Archive of the Philippines to be managed
and maintained by the Film Development Council.

SEC. 2. The National Film Archive of the Philippines shall have the following powers and
functions:

1, Plan, formulate and implement an archival administration program for the efficient
recovery, restoration, conservation, presentation, maintenance, utilization and disposal or
cinematographic films including the adoption of security measures and film protection
program.

2. Review and approve films nominated for inclusion in the National Film Archive:

3. Conduct archival research using materials here and abroad. including background studies
about films considered for inclusion in tile National Film Archive, and:

4. Acquire through transfer, donation, purchase or any other means film prints and digital
masters of films which have enduring archival value:

5. Ensure the preservation and conservation of existing and future film archival resources of
the government:

6. Reproduce and authenticate copies of cinematic films. subject to copyright laws:

7. Facilitate the acquisition of a permanent and suitable building for the National Film
Archives to house the country’s film archival holdings:

8. Promote appreciation of and build cultural values from the cinematic films in the National
Film Archive:

9. Provide for access to the Film Archive for scholarly and research process, subject to
reasonable guidelines:

10. Make Filipino films readily available for educational, historical, and cultural purposes to all
segments of Philippine society, as well as the international community;


11. 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; and

12. Conduct training programs on film archives management, including the establishment of
an archival system for both public and private sectors.

SEC. 3. The National Film Archive of the Philippines 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 Philippines shall appoint the executive director and the two deputy
executive directors of the Film Archive from a list of nominees submitted by the Film Development
Council: Provided, That said officials to be appointed to the Film Archive 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 the 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 falls to complete a
term, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion of the
term of the director whom he/she succeeds, unless re-appointed: Provided finally, That such
service of the unexpired portion shall not be counted as a term.

The National Film Archives shall establish its own staffing pattern and salary and compensation
scheme, within six 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. 4, Film companies or individual producers are hereby required to submit, at reasonable
cost, a copy of their film to the National Film Archive within three (3) months from its official
release.

SEC. 5. The Film Development Council shall, in consultation with the National Historical Institute,
National Commission on Cultural and Arts, and the National Archives of the Philippines, issue the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions hereof.

SEC. 6. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC. 7. All acts, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended

SEC. 8. If for any reason. any portion or provision of this Act be declared unconstitutional. other
parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SEC. 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication either in the Official Gazette
or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,