President Marcos has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 70 which aims to boost the country's film industry by strengthening the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, by authority of the President, signed the Order on Oct. 2.

In his EO, Marcos cited the need to enhance the FAP's capabilities to improve the country's film sector.

"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," he wrote.

Under the EO, the FAP, created in 2006 under the Department of Education (DepEd) to professionalize the film industry, will now be under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)'s administrative supervision.

As part of the efforts to boost the country's film industry, President Marcos ordered the FAP to establish and organize a prominent and annual National Film Awards that will promote, recognize, and celebrate world-class talents and outputs. The FAP may collaborate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and other relevant agencies in this regard.

The FAP shall also collaborate with the DepED, TESD, FDCP, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, the private sector, or the academe to provide programs, training, and other forms of support towards the welfare and professionalization of Filipino film workers.

Meanwhile, based on the EO, the FAP is allowed to accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or gifts from domestic and foreign sources for purposes relevant to its mandate.

Members

The FAP board will be chaired by its director-general and co-chaired by the DTI secretary. Other members include a representative from the Office of the President, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) secretary, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director-general, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chair, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair, and two private sector representatives.

The chairperson shall be appointed by the President and will have the rank of Undersecretary. The chair should possess technical and creative expertise in the various fields of motion picture arts and sciences.