President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has placed the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) under the administrative supervision of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as part of government efforts to promote the development of the Philippine film industry.
Under Executive Order (EO) 70 inked by Marcos on Oct. 2, the FAP will be governed by a Board of Trustees to be chaired by the FAP director general and co-chaired by the DTI secretary.
Members include a representative of the Office of the President; the labor secretary; the director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); the chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP); the chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); and two private sector representatives of reputable guilds, organizations, and associations in the film industry.
The FAP director general, who will be in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of the FAP, will be appointed by the President with the rank of Undersecretary, and will be assisted by six immediate support staff.
FAP members are designated to elect a vice chairperson who will assist the chairperson and co-chairperson in the performance of their duties and functions.
Based on EO 70, the FAP will have the primary function of giving due recognition to outstanding motion pictures, artists, and relevant stakeholders with the end view of revitalizing and further promoting the Philippine film industry.
The FAP is directed to establish and organize a prominent annual National Film Awards, which will recognize, promote, and celebrate world-class talents and outputs of Filipinos in motion picture arts and sciences.
The awards, categories, criteria, mechanics, and prizes for the National Film Awards will be determined by FAP, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
The FAP may also collaborate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and other relevant government agencies in establishing the National Film Awards.
Before the signing of EO 70, the FAP was under the oversight of the Department of Education (DepEd), by virtue of EO 513 signed in 2006.
“To maximize the full potential of the Philippine Film Industry, it is imperative to ensure that world-class Filipino talents in the field of motion picture arts and sciences are given due recognition and assistance by the National Government,” EO 70 read.
“It is necessary to strengthen the FAP and further define its duties and functions to complement the programs, activities, and projects of existing government bodies involved in the promotion and development of the Philippine Film Industry,” it added.
EO 70 also mandates the FAP to collaborate with the DepEd, TESDA, FDCP, the Commission on Higher Education, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, the private sector, the academe, and other relevant agencies for the provision of programs, training, and other forms of support towards the welfare and professionalization of film workers.
The FAP is directed to guide, assist, and steer representative guilds and associations in various creative and technical sectors towards the professionalization of the Philippine film industry.
It may also collaborate and coordinate with international organizations and other concerned agencies, such as the FDCP, NCCA, Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, and local government units, to professionalize and promote the film sector.
The funding requirements for the initial implementation of EO 70 will be charged against the current and available appropriations of FAP member agencies.
EO 70 takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)
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