Republic of the Philippines 

Office of the President

FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES 

ADVISORY NO. 01

Series of 2020

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 922, Series of 2020 declaring a State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines relative to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the FDCP DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM is hereby activated as of March 23, 2020 with the following guidelines issued:

1. Definition of Disaster-affected Freelance Audio-Visual Workers. These are audio-visual workers who have become suddenly unemployed or suddenly out of work as a direct result of the COVID-19 Enhanced Community Quarantine and subsequent State of National Calamity and are not eligible for government instituted benefits from other government agencies. 

2. Coverage. The program covers freelancers in the audio-visual industry, with priority to technical crew and production staff on a no-work no pay status, and those that are not formally affiliated with a company with an earning of no more than P 20, 000.00 a month. Program coverage is nationwide.

3. Conditions. Any one of the following unemployment or loss of work conditions must be satisfied by applying workers as a direct result of the COVID-19 situation:

a. The worker was scheduled to work, but were unable to reach the workplace.

b. The worker was scheduled to start work but the job was cancelled or does not exist anymore.

c. The worker developed an illness, sustained an injury, or became sick and thus, are unable to work.

d. The worker’s employer/ producer has temporarily or permanently closed for business.

4. Qualifications. Freelance audio-visual workers intending to apply for the DEAR Program must satisfy all of the following qualifications. 

a. The individual must have lost at least seven (7) work days that were scheduled on or after the declared date of the disaster. For the COVID-19 situation, March 15-April 14, 2020 is the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.

b. The individual’s employment/scheduled jobs must have been suspended or cancelled as a direct result of the COVID-19 situation 

c. The individual must not have unemployment insurance benefits from either his/her employer/ producer, or from any other government agencies (e.g. SSS, DOLE, Local Government, etc.).

d. The individual must earn no more than P 20,000 a month. 

5. Benefit Payment. Approved beneficiaries of the DEAR Program for Freelance AV Workers will receive a one time cash financial assistance of Eight Thousand Pesos (P 8, 000) tax free to cover expenses during the disaster period, like personal needs, medical expenses, housing and rent, and other essentials. The beneficiaries will be required to sign a Declaration and Agreement with FDCP agreeing and abiding to all the terms of the Program and certifying that all details of the application and documents submitted are factual and authentic.

6. Application Process. Relative to the COVID-19 situation, applications may be submitted to FDCP from March 23 – April 23, 2020 or within 30 days of the activation of the DEAR Program through this Advisory. Online submissions via email to [email protected] are preferable and hard copy applications are discouraged. However, drop boxes for DEAR applications will still be available at the FDCP Office at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila starting March 23, 2020. 

7. Documentary Requirements. Freelance audio-visual workers who intend to apply are required to substantiate loss of employment or self-employment or to substantiate work that was to begin on or after the declared date of the disaster. The following documents shall be submitted by each applicant:

• Copy of current membership to National Registry for Audio-Visual Workers (NRAW). For non-members, filled out NRAW membership applications (which will be automatically approved after the DEAR Application is  approved). 

• Filled out DEAR for Displaced Freelance AV Workers Application Form
• Affidavit of Unemployment (Template downloadable at the website)
• Copy of Latest ITR or any proof of income (e.g. latest 3-4 payslips)
• Proof of Engagement/s

e.g. Call Sheet, Contract of Service, Certificate of Engagement/s, or any Certification duly signed by the Employer/Producer

• Evidence of Unemployment

e.g. Emails regarding suspension of work, Proof of cancellation, etc.

If documentary proof cannot be provided at the time the claim is filed, applicants have twenty one (21) calendar days from the time of application to submit the complete documents. 

8. Disbursement of Financial Support. The concerned FDCP personnel shall issue the financial support directly to the affected worker’s bank account or via available money remittance services at the soonest possible time upon the approval of the application.

9. Effectivity. The DEAR Program for Freelance AV Workers shall be effective on 23 March 2020 upon its publication. Applications will be open from March 23- April 23, 2020.

Attached as ANNEX A is the full Guidelines regarding the DEAR Program.

For information and guidance.

See signed document here:

FDCP Advisory Activating DEAR ACTION! (No. 1)

ANNEX A 

Republic of the Philippines

Office of the President

FILM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF THE PHILIPPINES 

FDCP NATIONAL REGISTRY 

DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM

OBJECTIVE

The FDCP DISASTER/EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND RELIEF (DEAR) PROGRAM is a disaster-triggered funding mechanism of the Film Development Council of the Philippines that provides financial assistance to its stakeholders and is activated as a direct result of a major natural disaster. A major disaster means any typhoon, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water or tidal wave, earthquake, drought, fire, public health emergency or other catastrophes as declared by the President that warrants government assistance to communities and individuals in the country. The DEAR Program is administered by the Film Development Council of the Philippines through the FDCP National Registry and is available to its duly registered members, subject to qualifications.

QUALIFYING EVENTS

Based on the recommendation of the concerned Departments or Disaster Task Force, the President of the Philippines may declare a State of Calamity or equivalent and similar proclamations e.g. State of Public Health Emergency. The declaration identifies the major disaster which provides the full range of disaster assistance available under the law for the country. 

In special cases like these, FDCP can activate its emergency funds. Disaster-triggered support may be made available to provide assistance or aid to its stakeholders who do not qualify for assistance under other programs of frontline government agencies.

DEAR for Displaced Freelance AV Workers

A targeted program for disaster-affected freelance audio-visual (AV) workers who become suddenly unemployed or suddenly out of work as a direct result of a major disaster and are not eligible for government instituted benefits.

Individual Eligibility 

When a major disaster is declared by the President, DEAR for Displaced Freelance AV Workers will be generally available to a displaced freelance individual registered under the National Registry for Audio-Visual Workers (NRAW) who worked, or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the declared period of the disaster. 

In cases where funding is insufficient to serve all eligible displaced workers, FDCP may prioritize low-income individuals. 

Conditions of Unemployment

One of the following conditions of loss of unemployment or engagement from a company, or inability to perform services in self- employment must have occurred as a direct result of the disaster:

• The individual is unable to reach his/her workplace.
• The individual was scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists or the individual was unable to reach the job.
• The individual cannot work because of an injury or illness .
• The individual lost a majority of income or revenue because the employer or self-employed business was damaged, destroyed, or closed by the government either temporarily or permanently.

Qualification

In order to qualify for this benefit, the individual must satisfy all of the following:

• The individual must have had at least seven (7) work days of loss of employment or engagement during the declared dates of the major disaster. 
• The individual’s engagement or self-employment must have been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster as declared by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. 
• The individual must have been determined not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits under any Local or National Law such as from SSS, DOLE, LGU or from his/her own employer and similar agencies. 

Application Process

To file a claim, individuals who are suddenly unemployed or suddenly out of work as a direct result of the disaster should contact the Film Development Council of the Philippines National Registry. 

Applications for DEAR for Displaced Freelance AV Workers must be filed by an individual within thirty (30) days of the announcement of the activation of the DEAR Program through an FDCP Advisory released online and through mass media channels. Applicants must follow the instructions in the FDCP Advisory and file for an application based on the filing methods used by the Agency (i.e. in person, mail, telephone, or online). 

Documentation 

Applicants are required to substantiate loss of employment or engagement or self-employment or to substantiate work that was to begin on or after the declared date of the disaster. 

If documentary proof cannot be provided at the time the claim is filed, individuals have twenty one (21) calendar days from the time of application to meet this requirement. 

Requirements

• Copy of current membership to National Registry for Audio-Visual Workers (NRAW). As for non-members, applications may be lodged to NRAW concurrent with the DEAR application.

• Filled out DEAR PROGRAM form for Displaced Freelance AV Workers
• Affidavit of Unemployment (Template available on the website) 
• Copy of Latest ITR or Any Proof of Income
• Proof of Engagement that Accounts for at Least 7 Work Days of Cancelled/Suspended Work (During the Declared Period of the Disaster) e.g. Call Sheet, Contract of Service, Certificate of Engagement, or any Certification duly signed by the Employer/Producer
• Evidence of Unemployment (During the Declared Period of the Disaster) e.g. Emails regarding suspension of work, Proof of cancellation, etc.
• Copy of the Official Executive/Memorandum Order on the declaration for the State of Calamity

Failure to submit documentation within twenty one (21) days after the date of application will result in the denial of DEAR support and any benefits already paid will be considered overpaid. The applicant will then be required to repay any overpaid benefits to FDCP.

Benefit Payment

A one-time flat rate cash financial assistance (tax-free) will be made to a displaced freelance AV worker whose application has been approved.

Duration of Benefits 

DEAR benefits are payable only for the dates that fall within the Disaster Assistance Period which is covered by a one-time cash financial support.

Restrictions on Entitlement 

DEAR benefits are not payable to individuals who are entitled to or qualified for regular unemployment compensation, waiting period credit or benefits from SSS, DOLE, LGU, their own employer, and similar agencies.

Return Service

As the DEAR Program is a government fund and in the spirit of serving the community and stakeholders,  the beneficiary must commit to rendering return service by participating in at least two (2) FDCP-led or supported event, activity or project as a volunteer worker or professional, serving in the capacity of their field. The service must be rendered for free within two (2) years upon the receipt of the assistance.  

Declaration and Agreement

Each approved beneficiary worker of DEAR must sign a Declaration and Agreement with FDCP, agreeing and abiding to all the terms of the Program and certifying that all details of the application and documents submitted are factual and authentic. 

For more information, please contact:

FDCP NATIONAL REGISTRY

855 T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila

[email protected]

http://fdcp.ph/dear-program

Forms are downloadable at http://fdcp.ph/dear-program