Solon: Banning foreign shows won’t help PH entertainment, tax cuts would

Image: Courtesy of the office of Rep. Angelica Natasha Co.

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker claims that a ban on foreign films and television series would not increase appreciation for the local entertainment industry, suggesting that the government should cut taxes on ticket prices of both local and foreign productions instead.

BHW Rep. Angelica Natasha Co, in a statement on Monday, said that since fast internet speed is still not accessible to a lot of people in the country, the primary form of entertainment for some is still going to the movies. However, in some cases, people prefer watching plays and theater shows that require tickets.

However, the lawmaker claims that many people fail to go to the movies or the theaters because ticket prices for these shows are high.

“Bringing ticket prices down by cutting down all local and national taxes on productions, both local and foreign, would be a step in the right direction. Watching movies and stage plays should be valued more for their economic impact and be considered necessities that benefit families and promote mental and public health, not luxury activities,” Co said.

“Filipino productions have yet to fully harness the power of online platforms and online access to the masses is limited because internet speeds and coverage are still slow and low for most Filipinos. Therefore, in-person viewing of movies in theaters and plays on stage is still the main mode available to them. But current ticket prices are prohibitive and Filipinos are price-sensitive,” she added.

Co also stressed that instead of mulling a ban on foreign products — like the recent talk about banning Korean dramas in the country — the government could focus on supporting the implementation of Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.

“Banning or taxing foreign films, tv series, and other creative media output are not the strategies that will create opportunities for Filipino creative talents and entrepreneurs. Rather, building upon and supporting the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (RA 11904) will get a significant part of that challenge done,” Co noted.

The lawmaker’s remarks came after Senator Jinggoy Estrada, during a Senate hearing on the proposed 2023 budget of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), mentioned that banning K-dramas crosses his mind.

READ: Banning K-dramas sometimes crosses my mind – Estrada 

Estrada’s remarks drew backlash as netizens — mostly K-drama supporters and cultural workers — demanded better shows from the local industry instead of nitpicking on the Korean products.

READ: Jinggoy Estrada: Just airing frustration but no plans to suggest ban of K-dramas 

Instead of the ban, Co urged lawmakers and content providers to listen to the demand of the Filipino audience — implying that people would support shows if they provided good content.

“The Pinoy audience is telling all of us the kind of quality they want in movies, tv series, and music. They have also been clamoring for strong support for Filipino creatives, support from the government, the private sector, and civil society, but often their clamor falls on deaf ears and blind vision,” she said.

Co is not alone in reminding the government that bans have not worked in favor of boosting local sales. According to Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, the government needs to copy the systems that allowed South Korea to be a powerhouse in cultural products, saying that the Filipino content can be original but the strategies can be mimicked. With reports from Joshua Go, trainee

READ: K-drama ban won’t be good; use South Korea’s method as a model instead – solon 

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