Events and programs that are sponsored and partnered by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) may have been postponed in light of the community quarantine and national state of calamity due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But the FDCP has ensured the continuity of its services by implementing alternative work arrangements composed of a work-from-home setup and an onsite skeletal team.

Everything was set for the various film festivals in the regions that were scheduled this year. Some film fests were about to announce their Call for Entries, while others were already finalizing plans when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)  pandemic happened. The public health emergency called for the declaration of a national state of calamity, and mass gatherings were prohibited in order to contain the virus. This meant the postponement or cancellation of all film events in the country, including the regional film festivals. 

Don’t be daunted! Although the many forms and requirements under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) regarding health and safety protocols for audiovisual production shoots may seem intimidating, registering your production shoot is actually easier than it looks!

Out of the nine downloadable forms under the JAO, there are actually only two forms required to be submitted for Safe Filming registration. These are Forms 1 and 3, or the Production Registration form and the Health and Safety Commitment Declaration Form.

1. DTI-DOLE-DOH Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2021 - 0001 2. Memorandum from the Executive Secretary on the Imposition of ECQ in NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal (March 29-April 4) 3. IATF Resolution No.106-B

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Health (DOH) have issued Joint Administrative Order No. 2021-001 (JAO) on Health and Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots and Audiovisual Activities During COVID-19 Pandemic.

Due to the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), through its Safe Filming program, is reminding its stakeholders of the importance of abiding by the safety and health protocols set by the government in the midst of the pandemic and based on the release of IATF Resolution No 104 and placing additional restrictions to the NCR, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Bulacan areas from March 22-April 4, 2021.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, MARCH 2, 2021 — In its aim to encourage the industry to comply with the government’s prescribed minimum health standards, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), through its Safe Filming Program, organized the free Training for Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) for Safety Officer II (SO2).

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 — September is extra special for Philippine Cinema because it was on September 12, 1919 when the first Filipino-produced and -directed feature film was shown, “Dalagang Bukid” by Jose Nepomuceno.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, MAY 18, 2021 — After its successful first run last April with a total of 45 graduates, the Safe Filming Program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment – Occupational Safety and Health Center (DOLE-OSHC), is now accepting participants for the 2nd Safety and Health Officers Training Seminar (SHOTS). 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, MAY 27, 2021 — Before proceeding with the production of their respective projects and in line with the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) promotion of health and safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 10 finalists of the Sine Kabataan 4 Short Film Competition underwent the Safe Filming Lab to be oriented on the government’s prescribed safety and health protocols for production shoots amid the pandemic.