FDCP RELEASES ORDERS 1 AND 2 FOR THE AUDIO-VISUAL INDUSTRY RELATIVE TO THE COVID-19

In line with the President's announcement last March 12, 2020 and the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease relative to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CoVid-19), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) hereby adopts the following measures and recommendations for the Audio-Visual industry and community stakeholders.
FDCP-sponsored and partnered events - All public events and engagements hosted or participated in by FDCP locally and internationally shall be postponed until further notice.
FDCP-assisted programs and services - FDCP personnel will be adopting alternative work arrangements such as deploying skeletal workforce and shifting schedule during the period of work suspension for executive offices from March 16-April 12, 2020. To ensure continuity of services, all FDCP program applicants are encouraged to us the Agency's online facilities and platforms (email and website) during this period. Release of physical documents such as cheques and certificates may be delayed. Manual filing of applications or walk-in inquiries of any kind as well as procurement within the said period shall not be accommodated.
Local and Regional Film Festivals - All festival or event organizers within the country are encouraged to postpone the conduct of such events to limit interactions and reduce the risk of transmission. Metro Manila events must automatically be suspended as these constitute mass gathering
Movie Watching and Film Screenings in Metro Manila Theaters- For Metro Manila, moviegoers are strongly encouraged to avoid watching in the cinemas as this constitutes as a social gathering. Furthermore, theater operators are enjoined to support the public health emergency measure put in place by suspending screenings in Metro Manila for the duration of the Public Health Emergency.
Production of Films, Television Programs and Other Audio-visual Contents - As a preventive measure, all production shoots or tapings of films, TV programs or audio-visual contents in Metro Manila are highly discouraged as they constitute mass gatherings that are highly susceptible to transmission of the virus.
Audio-visual Industry Workers (Film and TV Broadcast) - All production companies and workers must adopt flexible work arrangements as recommended by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Workers Coming to Metro Manila - For work that requires travelling to Metro Manila, the worker shall present a valid ID, which indicates a Metro Manila office address, at the checkpoints to be set up by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Freelancers Coming to Metro Manila - For work that requires travelling to Metro Manila, the freelancer shall present any valid documentary proof of engagement provided by the company concerned, which specifies the purpose and location of work within Metro Manila, at the above-mentioned checkpoints.
At this extraordinary time, the community’s  safety is of paramount importance and we implore everyone’s cooperation and understanding to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.


"The FDCP has received several complaints from the audio-visual industry reporting that despite the Department of Labor and Employment’s Labor Advisory for flexible work arrangements and the FDCP’s Memorandum Order to suspend production of film, television, and other audio-visual contents for the duration of the community quarantine in NCR effective immediately, some professionals are still being required to report in person to work places, including editors and post-house workers.
May we reiterate that our suspension order covers pre and post-production work, along with all audio-visual work and services that would agitate the transmission of the virus. All these are in line and pursuant to the stringent social distancing measures and further guidelines of the COVID-19 situation as released by the Office of Executive Secretary and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease.
At this crucial time of the government’s efforts to contain the further spread of the virus, we once again urge private companies and organizations from the industry to place the community and the workers’ safety above business interests and comply with the recommendations of the government to adopt flexible work arrangements and allow for workers to work from home as much as possible while still securing services.
In the meantime, the reports we will receive will be forwarded to the Department of Labor and Employment for appropriate investigation and sanctions, if necessary. We will be monitoring these reports closely as well."

For everyone’s guidance.

USEC. MARY LIZA B. DINO
Chairperson and CEO