Events and programs that are sponsored and partnered by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) may have been postponed in light of the community quarantine and national state of calamity due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). But the FDCP has ensured the continuity of its services by implementing alternative work arrangements composed of a work-from-home setup and an onsite skeletal team.

FDCP’s immediate establishment of the alternative work setup has truly helped normalize the Agency’s operations amid the COVID-19 situation. As soon as the suspension of work was announced by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March 12, 2020, the FDCP adopted an alternative work arrangement policy so that it can still fulfill its goals, meet targets, and finish deliverables. 

FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño noted, “We join the President in the efforts to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, and we urge the entire industry to unite in these challenging times by adhering to the precautionary measures as specified by the government. While we understand the inevitable economic consequences of these measures, we must keep in mind that the public’s safety is and will always be our top priority, and we implore everyone’s cooperation and understanding.”

To ensure productivity, the FDCP has set up its headquarters in a mobile app where it is possible to monitor current projects of each division with daily tasking and weekly deliverables so that employees can comply with expected outputs. As for its skeletal workforce, it is composed of employees from Security,  Admin and Finance, Office of the Executive Director, and Office of the Chairperson and CEO. The Philippine Film Archive also has a skeletal workforce team in order to safeguard the country’s cultural film heritage. 

FDCP, despite operating on alternative work arrangements, was able to launch on March 23 the Disaster/Emergency Assistance and Relief (DEAR) Program to support audiovisual (AV) industry stakeholders displaced by a state of calamity, caused by a public health emergency or major natural disaster, as declared by the President of the Philippines. DEAR agents have been dealing with inquiries via mobile and online means while DEAR verifiers have been processing applications online.

Other online initiatives of the FDCP are the information campaigns #NoodTayoNgSine and Binging During Quarantine. The former aims to remind the public of the importance of the cinema viewing experience while the latter seeks to promote the titles that are available in various streaming platforms, particularly Filipino films.

The FilmPhilippines Office continues to process inquiries and applications for co-production grants. The national film agency has taken part in online film festivals and markets such as the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market) of the Cannes International Film Festival. Soon, the FDCP Film School Online will start rolling.

The FDCP made known its new work arrangements to film industry stakeholders, film-related partners, and audio-visual industry members by issuing three Memorandum Orders in light of the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). According to Memorandum No. 1, the FDCP’s alternative work arrangements took effect on March 16. In addition, all public events and engagements hosted or participated in by FDCP locally and internationally are postponed until further notice.

The Agency encouraged all FDCP program applicants to contact FDCP via e-mail, social media, or the website during the community quarantine period. FDCP also announced that the release of physical documents such as cheques and certificates may be delayed. Meanwhile, the manual filing of applications or walk-in inquiries of any kind, as well as procurement within the said period, will not be accommodated. However, drop boxes were made available for DEAR Program applicants who found it more convenient to submit their requirements at the FDCP Office in Ermita, Manila. Such applicants were advised to practice social distancing while dropping off their hard copy applications.

“It is saddening that the film industry as well as other audio-visual industries are affected by the pandemic, but we have to put a premium on the safety of our workers. I thank my FDCP staff for their hard work and resilience. I also express gratitude to the companies that did not think twice in suspending their operations as a sign of cooperation in containing the virus and mitigating the pandemic. I know this has hit our economy hard but we will rise above this. Let’s all be safe until we weather this crisis together," added Diño.

The three Memorandum Orders issued by the FDCP reiterated the suspension of film and audiovisual productions, screenings, and activities in areas under Enhanced Community Quarantine. FDCP’s Memorandum Orders also expounded on other guidelines such as the postponement of regional film festivals and implementation of flexible work arrangements as recommended by the Department of Labor and Employment.