The landmark signing of the FDCP-DOLE JMC No. 001 Series of 2020 is in response to the urgent need to address the gaps plaguing the film and audiovisual industry on working conditions, and safety and health of audiovisual workers. Set working hours, social welfare benefits, and the “no contract, no work” policy for members of the audiovisual industry are among those covered by the JMC which was signed between DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Dino last February 7, 2020.

Government agencies collaborate and release joint orders and issuances to streamline and ensure full coverage of policies and guidelines especially if these involve intersecting and inter-sectoral concerns and mandates. In the case of the FDCP-DOLE JMC, the policy includes health, safety, and labor matters over the film and the audiovisual sector during the audio-visual activities, especially in the context and similarities of the working conditions of film workers with other audiovisual workers in the sector.

FDCP recognizes its limitations in terms of its mandate and exercise of its function and thus partnered with regulatory agencies such as DOLE which covers and has jurisdiction in all sectors.

In accordance with the reportorial requirements of the OSH Standards, the producer shall submit to the Regional Offices the required OSH reports, including the notification of shooting location and schedule to the DOLE Regional Office having jurisdiction over the location and to the FDCP.

The Film and Audiovisual Production Companies and all other concerned have the following responsibilities:

1. Comply with the provisions of the FDCP- DOLE JMC and other relevant issuances in ensuring the health and safety of all individuals involved in film and audio-visual productions;
2. Establish the necessary controls (engineering, administrative and PPE) and referral mechanisms for COVID-19 mitigation in production shoots;
3. Ensure all individuals involved in production shoots adhere to the guidelines specified in this Order;
4. Report to FDCP and DOLE on their scheduled location shoots, in compliance with DOLE-FDCP JMC;
5. Submit other reportorial requirements of this Order or as may be required by FDCP, DOLE or DOH; and
6. Keep a record of all contacts of relevant government offices and health facilities for coordination and assistance in observance of the guidelines of the Order.

FDCP was created through Republic Act 9167 pursuant to the State Policy to formulate and implement policies and programs to upgrade the art and craft of film making and encourage the production of films for commercial purposes, intended for public entertainment. It aims to conduct film-related events that enhance the skills of the Filipino talents and also leads the film industry’s participation in domestic and foreign film markets, and local and international film festivals. It is also tasked to preserve and protect films as part of the country’s national cultural heritage.

Those that must register include all audiovisual productions that involve crew members working on a production site.

The FDCP-DOLE JMC shall apply to all workers whose service is engaged in Audio-Visual Production. These workers may include, but are not limited to a Director, Assistant Director, Director of Photography, Production Designer, Production Manager/Unit Production Manager, Location Manager, Technical Crew, Department Heads, Department Crews, On-Camera Performers, and Talents.

Registration for production shoots is a simple process.

• Step 1: Download the Safe Filming Registration Forms No. 1 and 3 http://fdcp.ph/media/health-and-safety-protocols-conduct-film-and-audiovisual-production-shoots-and-audiovisual-0
• Step 2: Fill out the forms. Form No. 1 contains the dates and details of production and the number of workers involved in the shoot, while Form No. 3 serves as a Health and Safety Commitment Declaration that declares that productions have read and understood the provisions of the JAO.
• Step 3: Email the forms to [email protected]
• Step 4: You will receive a reply letter from the Safe Filming team confirming your registration along with the rest of forms and manual that will help you in the conduct of your shoot.
• Step 5: Conduct your shoot.

No. But they are reminded that they must keep the Safe Filming forms and records during the shoots in the event of inspection. This is also in compliance with RA 11058 “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof”.

Each production company must register at least once for each project. Should the list of workers change for multiple production shoot dates, a new list must be submitted for records and monitoring purposes.

This is in line with Section 8 of DOLE-FDCP JMC No. 001, Series of 2020 on reportorial requirements and OSH Standards which provides that the producer shall submit to the Regional Offices the required OSH reports, including the notification of shooting location and schedule to the DOLE Regional Office having jurisdiction over the location and to the FDCP.

FDCP then reports this information to the LGU, DOLE, DOH and other relevant agencies concerned so these authorities may ensure the compliance of the productions to the set guidelines of the JAO.

All information to be submitted will be treated with utmost confidentiality and will not be used for purposes outside of the FDCP-DOLE JMC.

Seven (7) days allow for FDCP to record and submit the production forms to respective agencies for proper monitoring and compliance.

The Safe Filming is a program by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which implements the strategies and guidelines of the FDCP-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 001 Series of 2020 on the Guidelines Governing the Working Conditions and Occupational Safety and Health of Workers in the Audio-Visual Production. It provides a global resource website that outlines the principles of safe production and provides information about systems, resources, forms, and all related documents and issuances to ensure working safely in the Philippines for both local and international film and audiovisual productions.

Safe Filming is also a platform that allows for active collaboration with support to stakeholders with their audiovisual activities and projects, which FDCP coordinates with government agencies such as DOLE, DOH, DILG, and LGUs for the monitoring of compliance to the guidelines of the FDCP-DOLE JMC and other Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) related concerns from the OSH Officers or workers, including work-related injuries, illnesses, and any unsafe working conditions, may also be coursed through the Safe Filming for proper inspection.

How are violations and penalties determined? There are 3 ways in which productions may be penalized for violations of the provisions of the FDCP-DOLE JAO upon inspection and investigation:

1. Violations in relation to the LGU's local ordinances where the shoot is located
2. Violations in relation to Occupational Safety and Health Standards pursuant to Republic Act 11058 and DOLE Department Order No. 28, S. 2020
3. Violations in relation to the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease pursuant to Republic Act 11332

The FDCP-DOLE JMC took effect after its signing in February 7, 2020 and shall remain in effect unless sooner repealed or modified by future issuances.

Please email us at [email protected] or call us at (+63) 917-SAFE-111for more information.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) personnel are those employed by the employer/producer to provide occupational health services in a production site or workplace and are mandated by RA 11058. They must have undergone mandatory training and seminars on basic occupational safety and health as prescribed by DOLE.

In the case of the FDCP-DOLE JMC, necessary OSH officer/s must be present in all workplaces and areas, at all times, during working hours. The number and types of OSH officers shall depend on the activities and total number of workers that are present in the shoot.

The qualified OSH personnel shall:

1. Conduct an ocular inspection of the area and institute the necessary control measures
2. Health and safety orientation to all workers prior to the start of the production, and
3. Ensure that COVID-l9 health and safety protocols will be in place for the safe conduct of production shoots and activities.

Securing a film location permit from the LGU is a standard requirement even before the pandemic and is required in order to be allowed to shoot in that particular locality.

What the JMC requires for registration is only specific for monitoring of compliance to the protocols and contact tracing purposes of production activities that are being conducted during the pandemic. This is not limited to production shoots in locations but also those conducted in studios and similar venues which need to also be reported to the LGU.

Yes. Through the Safe Filming Program, film and audiovisual companies and organizations are encouraged to develop their own applicable and specific guidelines provided that they are in line with the minimum standards of the FDCP-DOH-DOLE JAO No. 2020-001. Further, the same may be submitted to the Agencies for review and official endorsement.

In order to effectively communicate the provisions of the health and safety guidelines and support the companies and workers, the JAO provided for the Safe Filming Program of FDCP in partnership with the DOH and DOLE that will serve a centralized database for active collaboration with stakeholders. It will also create a resource website where they can refer to for all information, documents, references, forms, updates, and tools that will enable them to conduct their production shoots with the utmost safety for them and their workers.

There are 3 ways in which productions may be penalized for violations of the provisions of the JAO upon inspection and investigation:

1. Violations in relation to the LGU's local ordinances where the shoot is located
2. Violations in relation to Occupational Safety and Health Standards pursuant to Republic Act 11058 and DOLE Department Order No. 28, S. 2020
3. Violations in relation to the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease pursuant to Republic Act 11332

The FDCP-DOH-DOLE was released with effectivity last 7 June 2020 and shall take effect for the duration of the pandemic.

Please email [email protected] for more questions. These will be collated and we will be releasing a new set of FAQs as needed.

No.

It must be emphasized that the protocols of the JAO are only concerned with safety and health guidelines in the conduct of production shoots, the qualifier of which is the presence of workers in a production set, and shooting content with equipment and recording for platforms.

Regardless of the format (film, TV, ads, etc.), as long as workers are physically present in a production site to conduct the business activity - which, in this case, is to create content - they must follow the JAO's safety and health guidelines and are therefore covered.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) personnel are those employed by the employer/producer to provide occupational health services in a production site or workplace and are mandated by RA 11058. They must have undergone mandatory trainings and seminars on basic occupational safety and health as prescribed by DOLE.

In the case of the JAO, necessary OSH officer/s must be present in all workplaces and areas, at all times, during working hours. The number and types of OSH officers shall depend on the activities and total number of workers that are present in the shoot.

The qualified OSH personnel shall:

1. conduct an ocular inspection of the area and institute the necessary control measures;
2. health and safety orientation to all workers prior to the start of the production, and
3. ensure that COVID-l9 health and safety protocols will be in place for the safe conduct of production shoots and activities