The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) formalized its partnership on January 16, 2019, through a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
This MOU is symbolic of both of the agencies commitment to promote the growth and development of the Philippine movie industry as a viable source of fueling the national economy.
As a product of the MOU, films that are endorsed by NCCA’s National Committee on Cinema (NCCinema) will receive seventy percent (70%) discount in their MTRCB permit.
Furthermore, through the MOU, NCCA is enabled to facilitate and issue exhibition permits in all NCCA-funded film festivals and other NCCA supported public screenings applicable for exemption.
Led by MTRCB chief Maria Rachel Arenas and National Artist and chairperson of NCCA Mr. Virgilio Almario, the new alliance intends to encourage Filipino producers and filmmakers to produce films of national relevance.
In return, MTRCB encouraged the members of the NCCA to hold compliance seminars (i.e. Matalinong Panonood Seminar) to its stakeholders to further propagate adherence of the industry with both of the agencies respective rules and regulations and goals.
The MOU signing event was held at Nida Blanca Conference Room, MTRCB Building, No. 18 Timog Avenue, Diliman Quezon City.
Present at the signing were Board Members Atty. Jeremiah Jaro and OIC-Executive Director Atty. Ann Marie Nemenzo.
From the NCCA, Commissioner for the Arts and NCCinema Head Teddy Co, Vice head of NCCinema, Mr. Jose Antonio Garcia, Independent Cinema Sector of NCCinema and film director, Baby Ruth Villarama, Assistant Secretary of NCCinema, Elvert Bañares, Mainstream Sector Archi Adamos, Film and Exhibition & Distribution Sector, Vicente Nebrida, Luzon representative of NCCinema, Rosanni Sarile, and Mr. Joel Arthur Tibaldo.
IP representatives were also in attendance to witness the event.