Film Academy placed under DTI supervision

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the transfer of administrative supervision of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) from the Department of Education to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Executive Order 70, signed by the President on October 2 through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, said the initiative was meant to strengthen the FAP and further develop the local movie industry. "To maximize the full potential of the Philippine film industry, it is imperative to ensure that world-class Filipino talents in the field of motion picture arts and sciences are given due recognition and assistance by the national government," the executive order reads. "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," it added. Created in 2006, the FAP, under DTI supervision, will be governed by a board of trustees to be chaired by the FAP director general and co-chaired by the trade secretary. Members include a representative of the Office of the President, the labor secretary, the director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and two private sector representatives of reputable guilds, organizations and associations in the film industry. The FAP director general will be appointed by the President with the rank of undersecretary and will be assisted by six immediate support staff. The FAP was mandated to guide, assist, and steer representative guilds and associations in various creative and technical sectors toward the professionalization of the Philippine film industry.