NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 2250
23 may 25 A 9 ’41
Ri;CEiVH3m';
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS PHILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY 
MONTH AND MANDATING THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE 
PHILIPPINES (FDCP) TO CONDUCT ACTIVITIES ON FILM-RELATED 
DISCIPLINES DURING ITS CELEBRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
September 12, 1919 is a momentous date for Philippine cinema. It marked 
the premiere of the first Filipino-produced and -directed feature film "Dalagang 
Bukid" by Jose Nepomuceno, who is considered as the Father of Philippine motion 
picture industry.
The occasion was recognized by recent executive issuances such as 
Presidential Proclamation No. 1085 which was signed on February 3, 2021. Former 
President Duterte declared September as Philippine Film Industry Month, which 
acknowledged the need to recognize the "invaluable contribution and sacrifices of all 
stakeholders and sectors of the film industry, as well as provide avenues to 
showcase and celebrate the achievements and progress of the discipline of film and 
filmmaking." In addition. Presidential Proclamation No. 622 which was signed on 
November 8, 2018 declared 12 September 2019 to 11 September 2020 as the 
"Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema."
This proposed measure seeks to declare the month of September as 
Philippine Film Industry Month and give due importance and appreciation to the film 
Industry which reflects social realities and fosters our sense of nationhood. During


this special period of celebration, which shall be known as "Buwan ng Pelikulang 
Pilipino," we aim to promote and revive the local film industry, encourage its growth 
and expansion as one of the dynamic segments of the creative economy, and further 
elevate the standards and quality of Filipino films on par with the world's best.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this legislation is fervently 
sought.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


.. \
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2250
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23 MAY 25 A 9:47
RKCaVEO BY:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS PHILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY 
MONTH AND MANDATING THE FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE 
PHILIPPINES (FDCP) TO CONDUCT ACTIVITIES ON FILM-RELATED 
DISCIPLINES DURING ITS CELEBRATION, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the nBuwan ng Pellkulang
2 
Plllpino Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State gives priority to arts and culture to
4 
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
5 
human liberation and development. The State shall conserve, 
promote, and
6 
popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as
7 
artistic creations.
8 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to undertake initiatives that
9 
promote the growth and development of the local film industry, 
conserve and
10 
promote the nation's historical and cultural heritage and legacy of Filipino cinema, as
11 
well as establish, organize, operate and maintain local and international film
12 
festivals, exhibitions and other similar activities that showcase the skills of Filipino
13 
talents among the greatest number of audiences across the country and overseas.
14 
Sec. 3. Philippine Film Industry Month. - Pursuant to the policy set forth in
15 
this Act, the month of September of every year shall be known as the Film Industry


1 
Month. It is for the purpose of creating greater awareness among our people on the
2 
role of the Philippine film industry in our nation's culture and way of life and
3 
fostering love of country and deeper sense 
of national identity. The 
Film
4 
Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) shall be the lead government agency
5 
in the celebration of the Philippine Film Industry Month.
6 
Sec. 4. Film Festival. - During this month, the FDCP shall organize a physical
7 
and online festival of new quality genre films that will be called Pista ng Pelikulang
8 
Piiipino. It is where locally produced movies will be exclusively screened for one
9 
week in all regular cinemas nationwide and streaming websites and/or platforms
10 
under FDCP. The FDCP shall enter into agreements with local cinema operators to
11 
reserve cinema theaters for Film Industry Month screenings and activities.
12 
Sec. 5. Free Film Screenings. - Filipino films, particularly heritage and/or
13 
classic films, landmark works of National Artists for Film, and internationally-
14 
acclaimed short or feature-length movies, shall be publicly exhibited for free in all
15 
theatrical venues and cinematheques operated by the government including the
16 
FDCP, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and the National Commission for
17 
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other similar venues.
18 
Sec. 6. Film Promotion and Education. - The FDCP shall undertake national
19 
and regional activities, such as workshops, conferences, stakeholders summit,
20 
dialogues, seminars, capacity building trainings, and similar learning opportunities on
21 
various film-related disciplines and sectors, such as but not limited to:
22 
a) Acting for film;
23 
b) Directing;
24 
c) Scriptwriting;
25 
d) Editing;
26 
e) Camera operations;
27 
f) Short Film and Feature Film Production;
28 
g) Safety and Health Officers Training;
29 
h) Movie Workers Welfare;
30 
I) Workshops In Film Incentives;
31 
j) Masterclass for filmmakers;
32 
k) Film Archiving;


1 
I) Musical score; and
2 
m) Innovation, best practices and trends in the film industry.
3 
Sec. 7. Inter-agency and Multi-sectoral Effort. - With the FDCP being the lead
4 
agency, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education
5 
(CHED), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and other relevant
6 
government agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including
7 
government-owned or -controlled corporations and State Universities and Colleges
8 
(SUCs), as well as the private sector, shall cooperate with the FDCP in promoting
9 
and implementing programs and activities for the Philippine Film Industry Month.
10 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
11 
this Act shall be charged against the budget of the Film Development Council of the
12 
Philippines in the annual General Appropriations Act.
13 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
14 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in
15 
full force and effect.
16 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
17 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
18 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
19 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
20 
publication 
in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general
21 
circulation.
Approved,