Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPREENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

126
Introduced by Rep. DANILO RAMON S. FERNANDEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Movie producers invest a lot of money to produce a movie. Local movie producers shall be
given the opportunity to get their return of investment. Unfortunately, local movies tend to lose
their avenue over major foreign films. This bill seeks the State and movie theater owners to
support local movie producers to encourage and motivate them to make more films which in
tum will create more job opportunities for the Filipinos. Moreover, more local movies
produced and shown in theaters will entice younger generation to watch original Filipino movies
that will foster patriotism and nationalism in them.

In view of the foregoing provisions, the approval of this bill is camnestly recommended.

DANILO RAMON S. FERNANDEZ
Ist District of Laguna


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPREENTATIVES
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

126
Introduced by Rep. DANILO RAMON S. FERNANDEZ

AN ACT MANDATING MOVIE THEATER OPERATORS NATIONWIDE TO RUN
MTRCB
APPROVED AND RATED LOCAL MOVIES
TO SUPPORT LOCAL MOVIE PRODUCERS
AND PROMOTE ORIGINAL FILIPINO MOVIES

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

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title- This Act shall be known as "'Local Movies Act".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy — It shall be the policy of the State to promote and
support the development and growth of the local film industry as an aesthetic and
cultural medium for as better understanding and appreciation of Filipino social values
and national identity, and as an indispensable economic partner in nation-building.

To achieve this end, the State shall formulate and implement policies and programs
to upgrade the art and craft of film making and encourage production of films for
commercial purposes, intended for public entertainment, that seek to enhance the
quality of life, examine the human and social conditions and contribute to the dignity
and nobility of the human spirit.

SECTION 3. It is hereby declared that the following shall be compulsory:

(a) Movie theater operators to run Movie and Television Review and
Classification Board (MTRCB) approved and rated local movies at the minimum span of

five (5) consecutive days to support local movie producers;

(b) Movie theater operators to equally divide theater screening slots

between local films (40%) and foreign films (60%);


(c) Movie theater operators to equally divide movie trailer slots, 50% local film
and 50% foreign film movie trailers, prior to the actual film screening of a featured

movie;

(d) Movie theater operators to make Fridays as start of movie play dates,

instead of Wednesdays, to give local movies a better fighting chance in the Box Office.

SECTION 4. Monitoring and Enforcement: To attain the objectives of this Act, the
MTRCB and the Film Academy Council of the Philippines (FDCP) created under
Republic Act 9167 shall:

1. Adopt a monitoring and reporting system to track violators;
impose fines and penalties for any the violation of this Act;

3. Cause or initiate criminal or administrative prosecution with concerned
government agencies for violations of this Act;

4, Cause the closure of any theater or cinema in violation of this Act.

SECTION 5. implementing Rules and Regulations - The MTRCB and the FDCP shall issue
the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions thereof within ninety

(90) days after the Approval of this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause - If any portion of this Act is declared unconstitutional,
the same shalt not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions not

affected hereby.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause- All Jaws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,

amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the

Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.