Hinihikayat ni BUHAY Party-List Representative at Senior Deputy Minority Leader Lito Atienza ang kanyang mga kasamahan sa Kongreso na bilisan ang pag-uusap at pagpapasa sa kanyang panukalang House Bill No. 2624, na magbibigay ng limang taong tax holiday para sa film industry.
Sa kanyang official statement, nakiusap si Atienza sa mga kapwa niya kongresista na unahin ang kanyang panukala.
Pahayag ng dating mayor ng Maynila, “The series of triumphs of our very own Jaclyn Jose, Directors Brillante Mendoza and Lav Diaz, Charo Santos and John Lloyd Cruz in various international film competitions further proves that Filipino talents are topnotch and world class kaya dapat tulungan natin ang industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino.
“This five-year tax holiday will greatly benefit the industry as it would lower the cost of production with the 100% exemption from custom duties and national internal revenue tax on the importation of machinery, equipment and spare parts as well as 100% tax credits to domestic manufacturers of any articles directly related to film making.”
Ang panukala na gusto ni Atienza na makilala bilang Philippine Film Industry Tax Holiday Act of 2014 ay naglalayong bigyan ng five-year tax holiday ang film industry.
Kabilang dito ang pagbili ng mga kagamitan, paggawa at pagpapalabas ng pelikula sa mga sinehan, na agad na sisimulan kapag ipinasa ito ng Kongreso para matulungan at mapaunlad ang industriya, lalo na ang mga baguhan na movie producer.
Saad pa ni Atienza, “Our film industry used to be one of the fastest growing industries in the Philippines and in the world as well.
“We used to be recognized in the world in terms of creativity, originality and talent in our movies.
“From an average of 300 films a year, we have dropped to making less than 50 films a year.
“Our writers, directors and producers are still as topnotch as before, and can still compete with their counterparts in international markets.
“And because of the good reviews and many standing ovations received now by Philippine Films in international festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival, we can easily compete with Hollywood-produced films.
“We just need to help the Philippine film industry right now in retracing its path to profitability and greatness.”