Film: TV and film shoots to begin again in the Philippines as FDCP releases interim guidelines and safety protocols

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines is among the first few countries which will see cameras can rolling again, as film, television, and other audiovisual shoots have been permitted to take place in most parts of the country, following the changes in the community quarantine classifications that took effect on May 16 and will last until May 31, 2020.

The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) released the 6th Memorandum on the Interim Guidelines on Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audio-Visual Production Shoots to Mitigate Covid-19.

Aside from the mandatory social distancing, the guidelines state that no more than 50 people should be allowed on-site, and that workers must maintain a one-meter distance from colleagues; cameras must be two meters away from talents. Big crowd scenes like concerts, rallies, parties, and championship games are not allowed while intimate scenes require that both actors must test negative for COVID-19 and give their consent before filming.

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Certified medical personnel must also be on the set at all times to do temperature checks and enforce health precautionary measures when a cast or crew falls ill. Producers and employers are required to provide for their workers face masks, hand sanitizers and alcohol, packets of tissues, and access to handwashing areas on the set. Face masks and other applicable PPEs must be worn by the cast and crew.

Sanitation must be done regularly throughout the shoot especially in common areas such as studios, wardrobe, and makeup rooms, holding areas, and bathrooms. The habitual disinfection of equipment, props, wardrobe, and vehicles must also be carried out. Work hours during the COVID-19 situation will also be limited to 12 hours. Productions should also follow local ordinances and abide by the curfew that is still in effect whether an area is under ECQ, MECQ, or GCQ.

“The resumption of production work is welcome news for the film and audiovisual industry. During our meetings with the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, and other frontline agencies, the FDCP asserted how film and the audiovisual industry have been integral to our country during this pandemic,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra.

“As we were stuck in our homes, with nothing to do, films, series, and television shows accompanied us during these challenging times. They even served as sources of joy, strength, and inspiration,” she added. “We are pleased that our government has allowed us to gradually ease into this new normal. But as we move towards this, compliance is of utmost importance. We need to make sure that we can keep each other safe while we set the ball rolling for our industry that was among the hardest-hit business sectors in the COVID-19 crisis.”

The Philippines remains under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) except for Metro Manila, Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Zambales, and Angeles City that have a Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status and Cebu City and Mandaue City that are under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Film, music, and TV production is among the Category III sectors that are allowed in MECQ and GCQ areas, with strict compliance to health and safety protocols prescribed by the government. Production work in MECQ and GCQ areas is partially allowed with a 50 percent operational capacity while production work in ECQ areas is prohibited.

CLICK HERE to view the FDCP’s Memorandum Order No. 6, Series of 2020 on the Interim Guidelines on Safety Protocols for the Conduct of Film and Audiovisual Production Shoots to Mitigate COVID-19.