(MALAYA) Sen. Jinggoy Estrada yesterday called for the creation of a National Film Archive of the Philippines (NFAP), adding that many films which serve as snapshots of the nation’s history and social realities have not survived the test of time and have been left to decay and degrade over the years.
“Two decades have passed since the enactment of Republic Act No. 9167, the law that directs the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to establish a film archive, but the permanent facility for film preservation with sufficient storage space and proper equipment has yet to materialize,” said Estrada, who was the first to file a bill in the upper chamber for the creation of the NFAP.
The senator said the lack of a permanent facility for film preservation has resulted to notable works by the country’s renowned filmmakers, including national artists for film, being neglected and improperly cared for.
Citing data from the FDCP, Estrada revealed that approximately 65 percent of the country’s vast cinematic heritage has been lost or destroyed.
“Whatever remains unarchived are exposed to daily damage and deterioration. It is also estimated that out of more than 8,000 movies shot on film, only around 2,000 have surviving copies,” he added.
Estrada said he hopes his proposal will gain momentum during the Second Regular Session of the 19th Congress.
“This bill aims to address this problem by creating NFAP which will ensure the protection and preservation of Filipino films that are part of our historical and cultural heritage,” Estrada said.
Senate Bill 1033 is scheduled to be discussed in a hearing today, Monday, by the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, alongside two other bills authored by Estrada – Senate Bill Nos. 1032, and 2250.
SB 1032, or the proposed World-Class Filmmakers’ Incentives Act, aims to promote and support the production of high quality and globally competitive Filipino films through the provision of incentives and tax exemptions while SB 2250 proposes the institutionalization of a physical and online festival for new quality genre films and free screening of classic movies every September. – Ashzel Hachero