NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
Senate
o( tijf
23 JAN 12 A9 23
SENATE
S.B. NO. 1656
mBOVEDSt.
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revillaf Jr.
AN ACT
TO DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER AS PHILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY MONTH AND 
MANDATE THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES TO 
CONDUCT EVENTS ON VARIOUS FILM-RELATED DISCIPLINES DURING ITS 
CELEBRATION, TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Film Development Council of the Philippines was created by virtue of 
Republic Act No. 9167 to "undertake initiatives that will promote the growth and 
development of the local film industry, as well as establish, organize, operate and 
maintain local and international film festivals, exhibitions and other similar activities1." 
In the law, it declared that "the State shall promote and support the development and 
growth of the local film industry as a medium or the upliftment aesthetics, cultural 
and social values or the better understanding and appreciation of the Filipino 
identity2." Further, it stated that, "to achieve this end, the State shall formulate and 
implement policies and programs to upgrade the art and craft of film making and 
encourage the 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 spirit3."
1 Proclamation No. 1085, s.2021
2 Republic Act No. 9167, Sec. 1
3 Ibid.


Presidential Proclamation 1085, signed in February 3, 2021 declares the month 
of September as the Philippine Film Industry Month to recognize and celebrate the 
achievements of the industry, in general. It also seeks to provide avenue to showcase 
various brilliant works. The FDCP is the lead agency in the celebration of the Film 
Industry Month. For two (2) years now, the FDCP has set various activities and 
programs to celebrate the achievements and brilliance of the industry.
This bill seeks to institutionalize the celebration so that it will be a permanent 
annual celebration. It also invites various agencies and instrumentalities of 
government to join in the celebration.
In high regard to the contribution and role of the industry in the culture and 
way of life of the nation, consideration of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMOINLBONG REVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. NO. 1656
Senate
of tijf j&rartarp
23 JAN 12 A9:23
MffiVEOBY.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
AN ACT
TO DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER AS PHILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY MONTH AND 
MANDATE THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES TO 
CONDUCT EVENTS ON VARIOUS FILM-RELATED DISCIPLINES DURING ITS 
CELEBRATION, TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS 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 "Philippine Film Industry 
Month of 2022."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
undertake initiatives that will promote the growth and development of the local film 
industry, conserve and promote the nation's historical and cultural heritage and legacy 
of Filipino cinema, as well as establish, organize, operate and maintain local and 
international film festivals, exhibitions and other similar activities that showcases the 
skills of Filipino talents among the greatest number of audiences across the country 
and overseas.
Sec. 3. Philippine Film Industry Month. Pursuant to the policy set forth in this 
Act, the month of September of every year shall be known as Film Industry Month 
throughout the Philippines. It is for the purpose of creating greater awareness among 
our people on the role of the Philippine film industry in our nation's culture and way 
of life. The Film Development of the Philippines shall be the lead government agency 
in the celebration of the Philippine Film Industry Month.


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Sec. 4. Film Festival. The Film Development Council of the Philippines will 
organize a week-long physical and online festival of new quality genre films that will 
be called Pista ng Peiikuiang Piiipino. It is where locally produced movies will be 
screened for one week in all regular cinemas nationwide and websites under FDCP 
during the last week of September. The FDCP shall enter into agreements with local 
cinema operators to reserve cinema theaters for Film Industry Month screenings and 
activities.
Sec. 5. Him Promotion and Education. The Film Development Council of the 
Philippines shall undertake national and regional activities on various film-related 
disciplines such as but not limited to:
a. Acting for film;
b. Directing;
c. Scriptwriting;
d. Safety ang Health Officers Training;
e. Workshops in Film Incentives;
f. Masterclass for filmmakers;
g. Musical score lab
h. Full circle lab; and
i. 
Free screening of heritage films.
Sec. 6. Inter-agency and Multi-sectoral Effort. With the FDCP being the lead 
agency, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED), National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other relevant 
government agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including 
government-owned or controlled corporations and State Universities and Colleges 
(SUCs), as well as the private sector shall cooperate with the FDCP in promoting and 
implementing programs and activities for Philippine Film Industry Month.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the budget of the Film Development Council of Philippines 
in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. In the event that any part, section or provision of 
this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the


1 
remaining provisions thereby shall remain valid and in full force and effect as if the
2 
sections or provisions so annulled or voided had never been incorporated herein.
3 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules
4 
and regulations, or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are
5 
hereby repealed or modified and/or supersede as case may be by this Act accordingly.
6 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
7 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
8 
circulation.
Approved,