Introduced by Senate President Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The purpose of this bill is to promote the country as a prime film tourist 
destination showcasing the various destinations of the country as the perfect 
setting for movies, TV shows, music videos and other media projects. 
The passage of this bill will in effect highlight the country's globally 
competent filmmakers, state-of-the-art production facilities and capable technical 
crew who are willing and ready to assist foreign production and media outfits. 
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 
for the importation of cinema equipment and facilities necessary for their 
operation. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
8 
JUN 11 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Introduced by Senate President Villar 
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 in Congress 
assembled: 
SEC. 1 .  Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "The Film Tourism Act 
of 2008". 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. When used in This Act, the following terms 
shall mean: 
1. Accreditation- the certification issued by the Department of Tourism 
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; 
2. Film Tourism- the traveling of persons to other countries for the 
purpose of filming movies, TV shows, music videos and other media 
projects. 
SEC. 4. Film Tourism Information. The Department of Tourism, in 
coordination with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Film 
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Development Council, and officials of all local government units nationwide, and 
in consultation 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-related service providers that have the capability 
to engage in film tourism services. 
A system of continuing information dissemination on film tourism shall be 
adopted. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 7. Assistance for International Accreditations. The Department of 
Tourism (DOT), in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) 
shall assist the various film companies, actors 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. 
SEC. 8. Fiscal Incentives. Accredited film productions and institutions and 
other service providers actively participating in the film tourism industry shall be 
exempt from payment of EVAT and customs duties for the importation of cinema 
equipment and facilities necessary for their operation. 
SEC. 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 
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institutions involved in the film 
treatment. 
tourism industry shall be given preferential 
SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of 
Tourism (DOT) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
effectively implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 12. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any provision of this Act 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. All executive issuances, rules and regulations 
or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) 
days after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved 
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