Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16) CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House BillNo, 4847

Introduced by Representative LINO S. CAYETANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Film Tourism is a growing phenomenon worldwide, 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. 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. South Korea, Turkey,
Thailand, the United States of America, United Kingdom and New Zealand are some examples.

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 starred 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

But as the same study cited, "Despite the economic impact of film tourism, many tourism
organizations have been slow to tap the potential benefits of film tourism. The impacts of film
tourism still appeal’ to be underappreciated by destinations even though they can be long lasting
and have significant long-term economic and social effects."

Philippine tourism could get a bigger boost through film and television tourism. In the
ast years, several foreign films and television shows have been shot in different places in the
country, but little effort--if none at all--was done to capitalize on the growing phenomenon to
boost tourism and increase economic activity in those places. In 2008, Caramoan islands in
Camarines Sur, was the location for the Survivor French edition, followed by the Israel, Bulgaria
and Serbia editions in 2009. The Sweden edition was shot in the same island in 2010, followed in
2011 by the Denmark, Norway, Belgium and India franchises

Evidently, there is a need for government support to ultimately present various
destinations in the Philippines as prime tourist spots. Through film tourism, tourist arrivals could
exceed official targets.

It is against these backdrops that this legislation is submitted. The immediate approval of
this Bill is respectfully sought.

LINO S. CAYETANO.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16™) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4847

Introduced by Representative LINO S. CAYETANO

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:

Section |, Title.
Act of 2014."

is Act shall be known as the "Philippine Film and Television Tourism

Section 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.

Section 3. Creation of Philippine Film and Television Tourism Authority (PFTTA).
The affairs related to film and television tourism shall be administered by the 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 of2007.

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 Chairperson
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

1, Department of Tourism
2. Department of Trade and Industry
3. Department of Interior and Local Government and its attached agencies


4, Department of National Defense

5. Department of Finance

6. Department of Foreign Affairs

7. Department of Labor and Employment

8. Movie and Television Review Classification Board

9. National Commission for Culture and the Arts

10. 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
representatives 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.

Section 5. Functions of PFTTA, The PFTTA shall facilitate the One-Stop-Shop System
for foreign film or television production entities, It shall undertake the following:

1, 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
ipino 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, MT'Vs, 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 all relevant stakeholders as
participants,

2. Assist in the implementation of a reward and incentive package for foreign
film/television entities interested in shooting films/television programs in the country and
submit recommendations related thereon;

3. Assist foreign film production entities in processing pertinent documents and
various requirements relative to the production of international films/television programs
in the country and in complying with environmental regulations;

4. 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;

5. 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;


6. 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;

7. Maintain an inventory of 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;

8. Identify key film and television tourism sites used by international or local
filmmakers and establish a PFFTA mark;

9. Keep a progress report and actual impact of the initiative taking into
consideration the increase in the number of mm tourists and its contribution to the
economy;

10. Implement the Comprehensive Plan of the inter-agency committee.

Section 6, Powers of the PFTTA. The PFTTA shall have the power to issue a One-Stop
Shop authenticated security seal, which shall be recognized by the various government agencies
related to facilitating the processing of pertinent documents such as, but not limited to work
permits, visa applications, A TA Carnets-type document.

Section 7. Creation of Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism. An
Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism hereinafter referred to as (IAC-FTT) is
hereby created. It shall be the governing Board and policy-making body of the PETTA.

Section 8. Composition of the IAC-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 IAC-FTT shall be entitled to
allowances and per diems, in accordance with existing policies, rules and regulations on the
matter.

The IAC-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 IAC-FTT will automatically cease to exist upon the expiration of the five (5) years, unless
otherwise extended by Resolution of both Houses of Congress.

Section 9. Functions of the IAC-FTT
Committee shall:

1, 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;

For purposes of this Act, the Inter-Agency

2. Conduct the feasibility of establishing a Film and Television Museum and
study the promotion for the establishment of more Sound Stage Studios

3. 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


4. Coordinate with all Embassies and Consulates of the country to promote film
and television tourism.

5, Coordinate and partner with various associations of Filipino overseas workers
abroad in marketing, disseminating and propagating information on Philippines as a film
tourism destination,

6. Coordinate and partner with known Filipinos of international stature in
promoting the country and fulfilling the implementation of this Act.

Section 10. Preferential Incentives. - International or foreign film and television
production entities may, upon certification from the PFTTA, be granted the following

1), 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.

2). 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,

Section 11, Implementing Rules 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,

Section 12. Appropriations. The amount necessary to implement the provision of this
Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 13. Separability Clause. 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.

Section 14, Repealing Clause. Section 105 G) of the Tarif 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.

Section 15, 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.