Actor-turned-politician Senator Robinhood Padilla is looking into the possibility of imposing tariffs on foreign films and television series showing in the Philippines to help the country’s film industry.
Padilla said the funds that would generate from tariffs can be used to provide assistance to Filipinos working in the film industry.
“Can we find a way to raise taxes for foreign series entering the Philippines? This will result in subsidies for workers in our local industry. Besides, the entry of foreign shows is costing many workers in our local industry their jobs,” he said at the Senate hearing on the 2023 budget of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Padilla also supported providing additional funds to the FDCP for the restoration of old Philippine films; as well as the council’s bid to have its own building with its own vault to preserve old Filipino films.
FDCP chairman Tirso Cruz III said the building will last for at least 40 to 50 years, and the P500,000 monthly rent can be realigned to helping film industry workers, especially young directors and scriptwriters.
Likewise, Padilla supported the idea of making tourism sites out of areas where Filipino films were made.
“Films are investments for life. If preserved or restored, they are timeless. They are also a part of our history and culture, so they can be considered our treasure,” he said.
“Here in Southeast Asia, we were the first to make movies and we always won awards for best film and best actor… Now, so many are trying to help the film industry. Perhaps this is a good point for us to start,” Padilla said.