Lawmakers push for passage of bill preserving PH films

Lawmakers are pushing for the passage of a measure that would mandate the restoration and preservation of Filipino films under the proposed Philippine Film Development Act.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan party-list Rep. Brian Poe, Batangas Rep. Ryan Recto, Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez, and Negros Occidental Rep. Javier “Javi” Benitez called for the consolidation of House Bill No. 5053, which seeks to establish a National Film Archive of the Philippines, and House Bill No. 8298, which proposes a Classic Filipino Film Restoration Program.

“These are the things that we need to preserve for the next generation of filmmakers, directors, and actors, and this is what this bill and this committee were made for,” Poe, grandson of late actor Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), said in a statement.

His pronouncement followed deliberations by the House Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts on the proposed measures.

FPJ, widely known as the “King of Philippine Movies,” portrayed iconic roles in "Ang Panday" and "Ang Probinsyano."

“Count the reels made by FPJ, Vilma Santos, and Richard Gomez—that’s already one building, not counting the works of other filmmakers. Thousands of films were made all over the country. This bill will really help the movie industry,” Poe said.

Gomez, a former actor, lamented the poor preservation of old film materials, noting that some film negatives were even used as improvised noisemakers during New Year celebrations.

“It really pains me to see something like this not being taken care of,” Gomez said.

Benitez and Recto, meanwhile, stressed the importance of safeguarding Filipino stories and cultural heritage through government-backed restoration and archival initiatives for future generations.

“You cannot put a price on culture. It is the inheritance of the next generation,” said Recto, son of veteran actress and now Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto.—MCG, GMA News