THE 18th Davao City Council passed on third and final reading last Tuesday an ordinance creating a Film Development Council in Davao City, defining its powers and functions, and other purposes.
Based on the copy of the ordinance, the body has the power and function to formulate a Film Industry Development Plan as a basis for film programs and projects in Davao City, which includes development and promotion of trainings, workshops, and other activities that will enhance the skills, growth, development and expertise of film makers, directors, actors and actress, and others, in the local film industry necessary for quality film production.
Section six of the ordinance stated that the council will be composed of a chairperson, vice chairperson from private sector, with members: City Tourism Officer, two members of the city council, Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) or designated representative, one academe representative, two representatives from government accredited film interest group, one from group of filmmakers, and one from cinema operations.
The chairperson shall be the mayor of Davao City and shall exercise over-all administrative supervision to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the council.
The vice chairperson from private sector shall be appointed by the city mayor provided that he/she must be resident of Davao city, active in the film industry for at least six years and must be knowledgeable, credible and recognized in the film industry in whatever category.
The City Tourism Operations Office is assigned as the council secretariat.
All members will be coterminous with the appointing authority.
Section 14 of the ordinance mandates that local films evaluated by council shall be granted privileges through an exemption of 50 percent from amusement tax; provided that such films are made originally in Davao City and/or are depicting economic, cultural, and social values of the city.
Section 15 states that the council shall establish, organize, operate and maintain an annual local film festival, exhibitions and similar activities after the constitution of the Film Development Council of Davao City.
All cinemas within the jurisdiction of Davao City is enjoined to allot at least one hour every day for eight consecutive days to show films which are part of the Film Festival established by the council.
Section 16 provides that an annual appropriation shall be appropriated for the ordinance. The city shall set aside P10 million for the first year of the FDC of Davao City.
The council is also given authority to accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts, in cash or in kind, from the various sources, domestic or foreign, except from movie producers and distributors.
Said donations shall be deemed automatically appropriated for purposes specified by the donor, or in the absence thereof, for the programs and projects specified by the donor or in the absence thereof, for the programs and projects as may be approved by the council, subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Any donation, contribution, subsidy and financial aid which may be made to the council shall be exempt from taxes of any kind and shall constitute allowable deductions in full from the income of the donors, contributors, or givers for income tax purposes.
The ordinance will take effect fifteen days after publication.
The ordinance was proposed by Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga and Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta.
Raphael Meting, a Davao-based filmmaker, lauded the move saying, "About the sa film development council sa city I think na okay jud siya na mapadayon kay ang filmmaking community diri sa Davao kay gapadako na. Siguro kailangan na ug support sa government. Isa sa mga na tackle ang about film grant. The city will help generate funds para create ug 'grant giving body' sa Davao (I think that it is good if properly implemented since the filmmaking community in Davao City is expanding, and it needs help form the government. The film grant has been tackled and that the city will help generate funds to create a 'grant-giving body' in Davao). This will help local filmmakers to produce good quality films," he said.