FDCP nakiusap sa mga movie company: Hindi talaga tayo pwedeng kumikilos ng kanya-kanya

Liza Dino

MULING umapela si Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chairperson Liza Dino sa mga film and TV production company na magpa-register na sa kanila para sa mas maayos at ligtas na operasyon.

“The best way for us to conduct production safely is to work with the government, especially in this time of pandemic,” pahayag ni Chair Liza sa ginanap na virtual mediacon para sa selebrasyon ng Philippine Film Industry Month.

“Hindi talaga tayo pwede na kumikilos ng kanya-kanya because once something happens inside the production, we initially seek government assistance to coordinate, to ask for support and to make sure that everyone is protected. 

“Please do not misinterpret it as an inspection or meddling in your work. It’s for everyone’s safety,” diin pa ni Liza.

Ang pakiusap ng pamunuan ng FDCP ay nangyari matapos ang kontrobersyal na pagsu-shooting ng Feelmaking Productions sa Baguio City kung saan ilan sa mga taong involved dito ay tinamaan ng COVID-19, kabilang na si Arjo Atayde.

Naayos naman agad ang issue sa pagitan ng grupo nina Arjo at ni Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Pinayagan na uli ang pagsu-shooting sa nasabing probinsya, “for as long as details are coordinated with the city and with relevant agencies like FDCP and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).”

“If there’s one thing that I’d like to highlight on the coordination being done (by FDCP) with filmmaking productions, it is their willingness to cooperate and communicate. We have protocols at tine-test natin lahat ‘yan, so we have to work together on our safety,” pahayag pa ni Chair Liza.

Aniya pa, “For example, there’s a need to go back and forth to Manila or shooting is in Pampanga or anywhere else and entry is prohibited, FDCP will coordinate with the LGU to secure the necessary permit to show during checkpoints and allow entry.” 

Nilinaw naman ng chairperson ng FDCP na hindi sila magre-regulate kundi “coordination” lamang sa mga LGUs, “We submit them in different regional offices for them to be aware which film companies complied and are well-coordinated.”

“Kung meron mang hindi nagre-register, DOLE is in-charge in that situation. I just hope no one will have to deal with DOLE inspection. Right now, our goal is to help so we can keep production shoots open. We have to cooperate and we have to comply,” dagdag pa niya.

Samantala, tuluy-tuloy din ang pagtulong ng FDCP sa mga film industry workers na matinding naapektuhan ng COVID-19 pandemic.

Bukod sa financial assistance, nagkaroon din sila ng vaccination program para sa press at film and entertainment workers.

“Unfortunately, we have workers who got sick of COVID so we have a program called Sagip Tala in partnership with Mowelfund to extend financial assistance and bereavement support sa mga nagkasakit at namayapa nating kasamahan sa industriya. 

“We provide financial assistance of P30,000. Of course, it’s not much but it’s a form of support to ease their burden. We also write to different agencies like Philhealth or DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) to endorse our film workers who need a bigger amount,” sabi pa ni Chair Liza at wifey ni Ice Seguerra.