PH’s Film Academy placed under DTI to ‘maximize local industry potential’

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 70 on Wednesday, October 2, to aid the development of the Filipino film industry and the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).

The EO, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, is now in effect.

“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,” Marcos said.

With the EO in place, FAP will be placed under the administrative supervision of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It was previously under the supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd).

FAP will now be led by a board of trustees composed of government officials from different agencies. The organizational hierarchy is as follows:

• Chairperson – FAP director-general
• Co-chairperson – DTI secretary
• Members: a representative from the Office of the President; Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director-general; National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairperson; Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson; and two private sector representatives

This comes almost a month after filmmaker Paolo Villaluna was appointed FAP’s new director general, replacing Manny Morfe, who assumed the officer-in-charge post following Vivian Velez’s resignation in 2022.

The EO further adds that the director general and chairperson will have the rank of undersecretary and will oversee the daily operations of FAP.

The EO also clarifies that the primary function of FAP is to recognize outstanding films, individuals in the film industry, and necessary stakeholders to help grow the local film industry. This will be done through the National Film Awards, which FAP was ordered to establish and hold annually.

“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,” Marcos added.

Additionally, FAP will be tasked to collaborate with DepEd, TESDA, FDCP, Commission on Higher Education, Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, the private sector, academe, and other relevant government agencies that can assist in the development of programs, training sessions, and provision of support for film workers in the country.

The EO added that the funding requirements for its initial implementation will “be charged against the current and available appropriations of FAP’s member-agencies.” The Department of Budget and Management will also help identify more funding sources to support the EO’s implementation.

Through EO 640-A, FAP was originally established in 1981 to recognize the performance of outstanding members of the local film industry and run educational programs, scholarships, grants, and any other forms of assistance for stellar individuals in the film industry. – Rappler.com