DILG eyes amusement tax cut to help film industry

In a bid to help the local filmmakers, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday called on local government units (LGUs) to cut the amusement tax.

“Baka pupuwedeng i-zero na natin. Tulong na natin for the next three years para makabangon naman sila,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said in a press conference.

(Maybe we can cut the tax to zero. Let’s help them for the next three years so they can recover.)

The Amusement tax is up to 30% of the gross receipts from admission fees. 

Abalos made the statement after a meeting with the executives from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Regal Films, GMA Films, Viva Films, APT Entertainment, and Quantum Films.

Aside from hefty taxes, the film executives also sought help from the DILG to address their concerns on complicated processes for permits as well as movie piracy.

According to Abalos, film producers have been facing big losses due to these issues.

FDCP chairperson and actor Tirso Cruz III said these proposed changes would not only help the local film industry but also entice foreign production to include the Philippines in their locations.

“Sana sila ay magpuntahan dito kaysa ho sa pumupunta sila sa ibang bansa, magsho-shoot sila doon. Tapos pinapalabas nilang Pilipinas. Parang masakit ho sa mga producers namin,” he said.

(I hope they will go here instead of going to other countries to shoot there. But, they will portray these countries as the Philippines. That hurts our producers.)

GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Valdes said local film productions and associations will do everything to save the Filipino film industry.

“Ang mga pelikulang Pilipino, it's a part of our arts and culture. We have to preserve it. We have to love it. Gagawin namin lahat para hindi mamatay ang industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino,” she said.

(Filipino films are part of our arts and culture. We have to preserve it. We have to love it. We will do everything so that the Filipino film industry will not die.) —RF, GMA Integrated News