PRESIDENTIAL
SOCIAL FUND TO HELP FAP PROJECTS
The
Presidential Social Fund is willing
to extend financial support or subsidy
to worthy projects of the Film Academy
of the Philippines and its member
guilds.
This was contained in
a letter signed by Atty. Erlinda de
Leon, special assistant to President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. FAP Director-General
Leo G. Martinez received the letter
on Wednesday last week, February 7.
Malacañang specifically
invited the Academy to submit programs
and project proposals aimed “to
develop and strengthen the film industry
and to protect and enhance the artistic
and technical skills of film industry
workers.”
In response to this
Palace move, Director-General Martinez
has called a meeting of the FAP board
of governors to line up the possible
projects which the Academy can seek
Malacanang funding for.
Martinez said the Malacañang
offer was very timely inasmuch as
the FAP is celebrating its silver
anniversary this year. He also said
that the FAP is still beset by financial
difficulties because of the slash
in its share of the Metro Filmfest
amusement tax rebates since 2006.
He said that the Academy
has already lined up several projects
to commemorate this year’s 25th
anniversary which will include the
annual Luna awards,
the Kantang-Kanta concert
of classic movie theme songs,
the Salin-Gamit fair and
the launching of the Panitikang
Pampelikula.
Reprinted below is the
Malacañang letter:
Office
of the President
of the Phlippines
Malacañang
February 5, 2007
Mr.
Leo G. Martinez
Director-General
Film Academy of the Philippines
Dear
Director-General Martinez:
We
would like to express our appreciation
for the efforts of the Film Academy
of the Philippines to develop and
strengthen the film industry and to
protect and enhance the artistic and
technical skills of film industry
workers.
In
line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s
unwavering support to the movie industry
and her concern for the welfare of
the film workers, may we invite you
to submit project/program proposals
for possible funding from the President’s
Social Fund. Through this, we could
work hand in hand in pursuing the
objectives for which the Academy was
established.
Thank
you,
Signed
ATTY. ERLINDA M.B. DE LEON
Special Assistant to the President
