NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE
s. No. 867
©euate'
Jfficp of Ujc
‘22 JUL25 P2:16
RECEiVED BY.
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR FILM AND TELEVISION TOURISM IN 
THE PHILIPPINES, MARKETING THE INDUSTRY GLOBALLY AND 
PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR THE SECTOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Film tourism is defined as "tourist visits to a destination or attraction as a 
result of the destination's being featured on television, video or the cinema screen." 
It is a growing worldwide phenomenon, fueled by both the growth of the, 
entertainment industry and the increase in international travel.
Several countries have already capitalized on the spiraling phenomenon of 
film tourism. South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, the United States of America, United 
Kingdom and New Zealand are some examples. Their governments, airline 
companies and tourism organizations have initiated measures to promote famous 
and even previously untapped destinations where the film was set as tourist 
attractions.
In their research entitled "Promoting Destinations via Film Tourism: An 
Empirical Identification of Supporting Marketing Initiatives" published in May 2006 in 
the Journal of Travel Research, Simon Hudson and J.R. Brent Ritchie cited increased 
tourist arrivals In destinations where famous films took place. As cited, the Wallace 
Monument in Scotland saw a-300% Increase in visitors a year after the movie 
"Braveheart" was filmed which started Mel Gibson in 1995. 'The Lord of the Rings" 
franchise, filmed In New Zealand, also saw a steady increase of 10% In tourist 
arrivals from 1998-2003 from United Kingdom alone.
The following information are also significant (the list of film titles, the film 
locations and the boost in tourism percentage):
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"Steel Magnolias" Louisiana; <8% Increase year after release
• 
"Harry Potter" Various locations in U.K.; All locations saw an increase of 50%
or more
• 
"Mission: Impossible 2" National Parks in Sydney; 200% Increase in 2000
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"Last of the Mohicans" Chimney Rock Park, North Carolina; 25% increase year 
after release
"The Fugitive Dillsboro" North Carolina; 11 % Increase year after release 
"Little Women Orchard House" Concord, Massachusetts; 65% increase year 
after release
"Bull Durham" North Carolina; 25% increase in attendance year after release 
"The Beach" Thailand; 22% increase in youth market In 2000 
In particular, a previously unknown Koh Phi Phi in Thailand where "The 
Beach" was shot, instantly gained life and saw a surge in domestic tourism 
after the film.
However, very little effort has been done to promote film tourism in the 
Philippines. This Is unfortunate, considering that several films have been set in the 
Philippines, such as Apocalypse Now {1979)’, The Year of Living Dangerously {19Q2)'r 
Platoon (1986); and Born on the Fourth of July (1989). The fourth season of The 
Bourne Legacy filmed in the Philippines in 2012. Rnally, several seasons of the 
SurvivorTJ series have been filmed in the Caramoan islands in Camarines Sur.
Film tourism can boost our country's tourism industry. This is important 
because our tourism industry can promote broad based inclusive growth due to Its 
strong inter-connections with other sectors of our economy. It is estimated that 1 
tourist can generate jobs in six different industries and that 1 out of every 10 jobs Is 
directly attributable to tourism.
Swift approval of this bill is eagerly sought.
■* jf GRACE TOE
/


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
)
)
SEN 
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
Senate
*22 JUL25 P2:16
RECEIVED BV.
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK FOR FILM AND TELEVISION TOURISM IN 
THE PHILIPPINES, MARKETING THE INDUSTRY GLOBALLY AND 
PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR THE SECTOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled.
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Section. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Film and 
Television Tourism Act of 2022."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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, film and 
television tourism in the country is hereby made a new investment priority. It can be 
in the form of making the Philippines as a location shooting or filming area for 
various media activities, including, but not limited to making the Philippines a 
duplicate site. It can also be by 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. It can also be In the form of 
championing Filipino film practitioners and artists and their participations in foreign 
productions.
Sec. 3. Creation of Philippine Fiim and Television Tourism Authority (PFTTA). 
- The affairs related to film and television tourism shall be administered by the
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Philippine Film and Television Tourism Authority (PFTTA), thus replacing the 
Philippine Film Export Service Office (PFESO) under the Film Development Council of 
the Philippines (FDCP), organized under Executive Order No. 674, Series of 2007.
The PFTTA shall be headed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), a position 
which shall be equivalent to an Executive Director III position of the Film 
Development Council and which shall be a career executive service officer position to 
be recommended by the Chairpeison of the Film Development Council of the 
Philippines and appointed by the President.
The members of the Authority shall be composed of representatives from the 
following agencies:
a) Department of Tourism
b) Department of Trade and Industry
c) Department of Interior and Local Government and its attached 
agencies
d) Department of National Defense
e) Department of Finance
f) Department of Foreign Affairs
g) Department of Labor and Employment
h) Movie and Television Review Classification Board
i) National Commission for Culture and the Arts
j) Private sector representatives, one each from the movie and 
television industries.
The heads of the above stated departments shall designate their regular 
representatives, based on their position In the organization, but not lower than a 
Director-level position. The said repr esentatives of the various government agencies 
shall, in addition to their duties in the Authority, also serve as the direct link to 
streamline and develop the one-stop-shop system.
The Secretariat of the PFTTA shall be based in the Film Development Council 
of the Philippines for financial and administrative support. It shall be composed of 
eight (8) regular plantilla positions already approved and to be augmented by the 
Department of Budget and Management, including existing positions in the Philippine 
Export Services Office of the FDCP.


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Sec. 4. Functions of PFTTA. - The PFTTA shall facilitate the One-Stop-Shop 
System for foreign film or television production entities. It shall undertake the 
following:
a) Facilitate the promotion and marketing of the Philippines as 
location site for the production of international films and 
television programs, such as but not limited to: creating and 
maintaining a website and/ or a manual of Philippine Film and 
Television Tourism sites for overseas contract workers; 
participating and exposure in World Expo, recognized 
international film festivals, activities for cinema and television 
with global market penetration, tourism fairs of international 
significance. Provided, that in case a Filipino film is considered 
in a 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 with full government support, such as 
but not limited to, financial assistance, security and ease in 
document processing to attend the said festival. Provided 
further, that the PFTTA shall endeavor to put a premium on 
promoting, marketing, and distributing Filipino films, television 
programs of local content, MTVs, short films and similar other 
remarkable art works. Provided, finally, that in the case of 
expositions or fairs showcasing outstanding films and TV 
programs, a single unified Philippine booth must be 
endeavored with ail relevant stakeholders as participants.
b) Assist in the Implementation of a reward and incentive package 
for foreign film/television entities interested In shooting 
films/television prograrrs In the country and submit 
recommendations related thereon;
c) Assist foreign film production entities in processing pertinent 
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of international films/television programs in the country and in 
complying with environmental regulations;
d) Coordinate with various government agencies and local 
government 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;
e) 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;
f) 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;
g) Maintain an inventory or 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;
h) Identify key film and television tourism sites used by 
International or local filmmakers and establish a PFTTA mark;
i) 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;
j) 
Implement the Comprehensive Plan of the inter-agency 
committee.
Sec. 5. Powers of the PFTTA. - The PFTTA shall have the power to issue a
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One-Stop Shop authenticated security seal, which shall be recognized by the various
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government agendes related to facilitating the processing of pertinent documents 
such as, but not limited to work permits, visa applications, ATA Carnets-type 
document.
Sec. 6. Creation of Inter-Agency Committee on Fiim and Television Tourism. — 
An Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism hereinafter referred to
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as (lAC-FTT) is hereby created. It shall be the governing Board and policy-making 
body of the PFITA.
Sec. 7. Composition of the lAC-FTT. — The Film Development Council of the 
Philippines (FDCP) Chairperson shall act as the Administrator. The Department of 
Tourism Secretary or his representative shall act as Co-Chair. The inter-agency 
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 Filipino workers, film and television groups and other 
relevant partners, to be determined by the Chairperson and Co-Chair.
The Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and the members of the lAC-FTT shall be 
entitled to allowances and per diems, in accordance with existing policies, rules and 
regulations on the matter.
The lAC-FTT shall automatically cease to operate upon the submission of the 
Comprehensive Plan to Congress, or within five (5) years from the approval of this 
Act, whichever comes earlier. The lAC-FTT will automatically cease to exist upon 
the expiration of the five (5) years, unless otherwise extended by Resolution of both 
Houses of Congress.
Sec. 8. Funct'ons of the I AC-hi i. - For purposes of this Act, the Inter-Agency 
Committee shall:
a) 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 in 
application;
b) Conduct the feasibility of establishing a Film and Television Museum and 
study the promotion for the establishment of more Sound Stage Studios.
c) 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.


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d) Coordinate with all Emb^issies and Consulates of the country to promote 
film and television tourism.
e) Coordinate and partner with various associations of Filipino overseas 
workers abroad in marketing, disseminating and propagating information 
on Philippines as a film tourism destination.
f) Coordinate and partner with known Filipinos of international stature in 
promoting the country and fulfilling the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 9. Preferential Incentives. - International or foreign film and television 
production entities may, upon certification from the PFTTA, be granted the 
following:
a) Multiple Entry Visa. - Foreign nationals who are members of the 
international film production entities, as duly endorsed by the PFTTA, 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: Provided, 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 eighty (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.
b) 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 PFTTA.
Sec. 10. Implementing Ruins and Regulations. - The Film Development 
Council, Department of Tourism, Department of Finance and the Bureau of 
Immigration and Deportation, shall promulgate and issue the implementing rules 
and regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval of this Act.


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Sec. 11. Appropriations. - Tne amount necessary to implement the provision 
of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 12. Separabiiity Ciause. - In the event that any provision or part of this 
Act shall be declared unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain valid 
and In full force and effect.
Sec. 13. Repealing Clause. - Section 105 (j) of the Tariff and Customs Code is 
hereby repealed, accordingly. All other laws, orders, decrees, issuances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 14. Effectivity. - 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,