©
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
Ornate
of (l)i'
*17 
FEB 14 P4 :) |
SENATE
s.B. no.1330
RECEIVl D 8'.':
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Film tourism is a growing phenomenon wherein a destination is visited by tourists 
because it was featured in a movie, television, or video. To cite as an example, New 
Zealand s international visitor arrival increased by 50% since the first installment 
showing of the trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings” in 2001, according to its tourism office.
By boosting the country s film tourism, the Philippines stands to increase the 
number of tourist arrival and stimulate its economy. A dollar spent by a tourist for 
accommodations is multiplied 2.1 times for the economy as it creates jobs and 
opportunities and spreads its effect in other industries as well.
Our very own local film industry has been begging attention. According to the 
Philippine Statistics Authority, from 1960 to 1999, the Philippines produced an average 
of about 140 movies each year. However, from 2000 to 2009, local film output fell to an 
average of 73 annually with only 11 percent of the market. Last year, only 78 local films 
were made.
New Zealand, through its Large Budget Screen Production and Post Digital & 
Visual Effects Grants, offers a cash grant equivalent to 20% of the Qualifying New 
Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE). Association with films such as The Hobbit 
movies also offers New Zealand a wider opportunity to enhance its international profile 
business. Other countries like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and UK offer 
comparative and competitive incentive schemes to garner a market share in the 
lucrative international motion picture production industry.
Recognizing the potential of international and local motion picture production to 
create jobs, grow the economy, and raise the nation's international profile, offering 
production tax incentives and empowering the Film Development Council of the 
Philippines (FDCP) to provide additional benefits, are necessary steps our nation ought 
to take to seize this new opportunity as levers for growth and development.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SONNY ANGARA


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1330
al t!;i’ iji'trftarp
■17 FEB 14 P4 :|I
RKtlVtU HY:
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
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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 the Flouse of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “ Philippine Film and Television 
Tourism Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to 
treat 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.
SEC. 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 of 2007.


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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 the Culture and the Arts; and
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.
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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.
SEC. 4. 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


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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 Filipino 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, 
Writers 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 endeavour to put a premium on promoting, marketing, and 
distributing Filipino films, television programs of local content, MTVs, 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 endeavoured 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 other for ready referrals;
8. Identify key film and television tourism sites used by international or local 
filmmakers and establish a PFTTA mark;


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9. Keep a progress report and actual impact of the initiative taking into 
consideration the increase in the number of film tourists and its 
contribution to the economy; and
10. Implement the Comprehensive Plan of the inter-agency committee.
SEC. 5. 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, ATA Carnets-type document.
SEC. 6. Creation of Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism. -  An 
Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism hereinafter referred to as (lAC- 
FTT) is hereby created. It shall be the governing Board and policy -  making body of the 
PFTTA.
SEC. 7. Composition of the lAC-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 
representative 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 lAC-FTT shall be 
entitled to allowances and per diems, in accordance with existing policies, rules and 
regulations on the matter.
The lAC-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 lAC-FTT will automatically cease to exit upon the 
expiration of the five (5) years, unless otherwise extended by Resolution of both Houses 
of Congress.


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SEC. 8. Functions of the lAC-FTT. -  For purposes of this Act, the Inter-Agency 
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;
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.
SEC. 9. Preferential Incentives. — International or foreign film and television production 
entitles may upon certification from the PFTT be granted the following:
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Multiple Entry Visa -  Foreign nationals who are members of the 
international film production entities, as duly endorsed by the PFTT A 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.


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2. Tax and Duty Free Importation - The international or foreign film or television 
production entity shall enjoy tax and duty free importation of filming eguipment 
as determined and endorsed by the PFTTA.
SEC. 10. 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.
SEC. 11. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to implement the provision of this 
Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 12. 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.
SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. -  Section 105(j) of the Tariff 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.
SEC. 14. 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,