TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
l-v
at t!i:
25 AUG-4 P6-.07
SENATE
S. No. 876
RCCElVcD 3Y;
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.
INGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of :li’ rfii;-;;
25 AUG -4 P6 :07
SENATE
S. No. 876
RrCE’V^D BV:
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 "Buwan ng Peiikuiang
2 
Piiipino 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 human
5 
liberation and development. The State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the
6 
nation's historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.
7 
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to undertake initiatives that promote
8 
the growth and development of the local film industry, conserve and promote the
9 
nation's historical and cultural heritage and legacy of Filipino cinema, as well as
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establish, organize, operate and maintain local and international film festivals,
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exhibitions and other similar activities that showcase the skills of Filipino talents among
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the greatest number of audiences across the country and overseas.
13 
Sec. 3. Philippine Film Industry Month. - Pursuant to the policy set forth in this
14 
Act, the month of September of every year shall be known as the Film Industry Month.
15 
It is for the purpose of creating greater awareness among our people on the role of


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


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