​QUEZON City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos Atayde urged his fellow lawmakers to approve his bill that would institutionalize film and television tourism as a national economic strategy. ​He said House Bill 384, or the Act Establishing a Framework for Film and Television Tourism in the Philippines, Creating an Inter-Agency Committee on Film and Television Tourism and for Other Purposes, aims to create a coordinated system that will attract both local and international productions through streamlined processes and strategic support mechanisms. ​Atayde said film and television productions do more than entertain; they influence travel decisions, shape international perceptions and transform filming locations into long-term tourism destinations. ​”There is a unique kind of pride that every Filipino feels when our country appears on the global screen,” Atayde said in a statement on Tuesday. ​The multi-awarded actor said global competition for film productions has intensified, with many countries offering tax incentives and simplified regulatory procedures to secure major projects. ​Without a competitive framework, he warned, the Philippines stands to lose not only filming opportunities but also employment generation, infrastructure development, tourism growth and sustained international visibility. ​Atayde said film tourism is one of the most cost-efficient forms of destination marketing, explaining that a two-hour film can promote Philippine landscapes for decades, especially in the age of streaming platforms that make exposure continuous. ​He added that the bill would create more opportunities for Filipino artists, technical crew members, creative professionals and local service providers to participate in global productions, strengthening the domestic film industry while elevating the country’s global profile. ​”This is not merely a cultural initiative; it is an economic strategy. It is an employment generator. It is an investment promotion tool,” Atayde said.