Republic of the Phi
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5222

House Bill No.

introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

SS
AN ACT
TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE FILM TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES,

PROVIDING FUNDS AND INCENTIVES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines prides itself in being recognized as a prime tourist
destination. We have world-class beaches, beautiful dive spots, challenging
surfing destinations, scenic nature parks and sanctuaries, and many more
(ncreased tourist arrivals have been on the upswing which only reflects the
continued potentials of tourism as an engine for growth for the country.

Given these realizations, this proposed bill comes at a very opportune
time. The authors, through this proposed measure, aims to build on the
momentum of Republic Act No. 9593 or the ‘Tourism Act of 2009" by promoting
the country as a prime film tourist destination which showcases the various
destinations of the country as the perfect setting for movies, TV shows, music
videos and other media projects

The bill also intends to highlight our country's globalty-competent
filmmakers, state-of-the-art production facilities and capable technical crew who
are willing and ready to assist foreign production and media outfits.

As an incentive and in order to encourage involvement in the film tourism
industry, accredited film productions and institutions and other service providers.
actively participating in the said industry shall be exempt from payment of EVAT
and customs duties on the importation of cinema equipment and facilities
necessary for their operations.


Finally, this bill will also serve as a stepping stone for the country to
parade its long line of tourist spots which rivals the best in the world, improve on
its tourism generating efforts and to give due recognition to our talented
filmmakers.

Due to the importance of this bill, its immediate passage into law is
eamestly requested.

DIOSDADO MACAI ARROYO GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5222

intraduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE FILM TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES,
PROVIDING FUNDS AND INCENTIVES THEREFOR 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 "Film Tourism
Act of 2011.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to promote the country’s potential as a prime film tourist destination,
showcasing the various islands of the country as the perfect setting for movies,
TV shows, music videos and other media projects and highlighting the country's
globally competent filmmakers, state-of-the-art production facilities and capable
technical crew willing and ready to assist foreign production and media outfits.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — When used in This Act, the following
terms shal! mean:

a) Accreditation — the certification issued by the Department of Tourism
{DOT) recognizing the holder as having complied with the minimum
standards and requirements prescribed by the Department for the
operation and maintenance of film tourism services;


b) Film Tourism — the traveling of persons to other countries for the
purpose of filming movies, TV shows, music videos and other media
projects.

SECTION 4. Film Tourism information. - The Department of Tourism, in
coordination with the National Commission on Cuiture and the Arts, the Film
Development Council, and officials of all local government units nationwide, and
in consuttation with various groups involved in cinema, film production, theater
arts, communications and promotions, and other aspects of film-making shall
identify the world-class cinema-retated service providers that have the capabllity
to engage in film tourism services

A system of continuing information dissemination on film tourism shall be
adopted.

SECTION 5. Promotion of Film Tourism. ~ The consular officers and
employees of the various Philippine embassies and consulates based in other
countries shall have ready information and data on film tourism services available
in the country.

They shall likewise encourage the officers and members of the Overseas
Filipino Workers (OFW) associations to promote and disseminate information
regarding film tourism in the country as their contribution towards a sustainable
industrial growth.

SECTION 6. Accreditation of World-Class Film Tourism Providers. - The
DOT is hereby mandated to conduct a national accreditation and affiliation
program to identified providers of world-class filmmaking, tour operators, service
providers, production companies and facilities, theater groups and cinema guilds,
and other film service providers in the country.

SECTION 7. Assistance for Intemational Accreditations. - The
Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) shall assist the various film companies, actor's guild, theater
groups, media outfit, and other film service providers in seeking accreditation
from foreign governments so that they may qualify to serve foreign productions
and clients.

SECTION 8. Fiscal incentives. — Accredited film productions and
institutions and other service providers actively participating in the film tourism
industry shail be exempt from payment of EVAT and customs duties for the
importation of cinema equipment and facilities necessary for their operation.

SECTION 9. Preferential Treatment on Government Transactions on Film
Tourism. — To ensure active promotion and full development of the film tourism in
the country, all government transactions concerning the business operation film


productions, media companies, and all organizations, groups, entities and
institutions involved in the film tourism industry shall be given preferential
treatment.

SECTION 10, Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Tourism (DOT) shal! promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
effectively implement the provisions of this Act

SECTION 11, Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act Shall be included and incorporated and incorporated in the
annual general appropriations of the various agencies of the government
involved in the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect

SECTION 13. Repeating Clause. - All laws, orders, rules or regulations
which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby
amended or repealed accordingly,

SECTION 14. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,