The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), and the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND) joined forces in an effort to unite and strengthen the local film industry as well as help further elevate it on the global stage.
The groups spearheaded the “Araw ng Pagkakaisa ng Pelikulang Pilipino” in Quezon City on Saturday, where stakeholders discussed plans and projects that will benefit the industry.
“It has never been done before. Dati kanya-kanya. Pero sabi namin, let’s work together. Pag pinagsama mo ang tatlong institusyon—mas may saysay, mas matapang, mas mapoprotektahan ang manggagawang Pilipino,” FDCP Chairman Jose Javier said in an interview held in Quezon City, Saturday.
Reyes described the collaboration as a groundbreaking step for the sector.
“It has never been done before,” he stressed. “Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na dalawang ahensya ng pamahalaan—FDCP at FAP—at pribadong MOWELFUND, na parehong dedicated sa pagpapaunlad ng industriya, ay nagsama-sama. Dati, we were working separately. Now, we have joint projects.”
He acknowledged the challenges facing Philippine cinema, noting that the industry has yet to regain the vitality it enjoyed in 2017 and 2018.
“Alam natin ang estado ng pelikulang Pilipino. Hindi pa ito bumabalik sa sigla ng mga nakaraang taon. Ang sa amin ay pangalagaan at protektahan ang industriya, pero ang mga stakeholders ang magpapalago at magbibigay-buhay,” he said.
The collaboration is expected to pave the way for more cohesive programs, stronger industry protection, and a united push for Filipino films to shine on the global stage.
Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III expressed his full support for the move, noting that it aligns with his legislative efforts to establish a National Film Commission.
“Ako po ay nakikiisa sa pagkakaisa. Dapat talaga ginagawa ito. I have a draft of the National Film Commission,” Sotto said. “Mabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon meron sila bosses and representasyon sa National Film Commission. Kung ano man output today, isubmit sa akin at ipapasok sa amendments ng National Film Commission.”