Film industry seeks reduction of taxes

Movie industry leaders have urged President Arroyo to immediately implement measures to protect the industry, including reducing taxes and intensifying the campaign against piracy.

Because of the various concerns of the industry, Mrs. Arroyo has scheduled a "film summit" this month, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

During a meeting with Remonde and other Palace officials, the industry leaders and other stakeholders appealed for the reduction of the 30 percent tax imposed on films to 10 percent to allow producers to spend more for quality movies.

Lawyer Espiridion Laxa, chairman of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. (MOWELFUND) and Film Academy of the Philippines, said the high taxes and rampant piracy are the two biggest concerns of the industry.

It was also agreed during the meeting that a government-private sector task force would be formed composed of representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and Presidential Consultant on Entertainment Vic del Rosario to study possible amendments to the school curriculum to include film appreciation.

The thrust includes "initiating a film appreciation program that has a watch list system with reduced price package for students and integrate a workshop cinema module in the ladderized curriculum."– Paolo Romero