Film Academy Signs Partnerships with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and PhilHealth to Support Film and Audiovisual Workers
In the Photo. New agreements connect film and audiovisual workers with legal assistance, rights education, and health services.
The memorandum of agreement with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Quezon City Chapter was signed by (4th from left) Film Academy Director-General Jose Paolo L. Villaluna and Quezon City Chapter President Atty. Rowell D. Ilagan, joined by Atty. Karl Anthony T. Dionisio of the Film Academy and Atty. Charis S. Antalan, Director of the Quezon City Chapter. The memorandum of understanding with PhilHealth Regional Office NCR was signed by Villaluna and Regional Vice President Bernadette C. Lico, M.D., joined by Film Academy industry consultant Ana Patricia “Patti” Lapus and, from PhilHealth, Atty. April Aceron of the Legal Department, Atty. Louie Rosario of the LHIO Quezon City, and Melanie Luczon.
QUEZON CITY, May 27, 2026 — The Film Academy of the Philippines signed agreements with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Quezon City Chapter and PhilHealth Regional Office NCR to strengthen access to legal assistance, rights education, health information, and health services for Filipino film and audiovisual workers.
The two agreements were signed during SANGGA 2026, the Film Academy’s Solidarity Assembly for National Growth of Audiovisual Workers, held May 26 at Ichikawa Hall in Diliman, Quezon City. The day-long assembly brought institutional support directly to the film community, with a focus on freelance and below-the-line workers who often have difficulty accessing legal and government services.
Atty. Rowell D. Ilagan, President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Quezon City Chapter, said the partnership between the Academy and the IBP reflects a broader view of where legal protection should reach. “As lawyers, we believe that justice should not exist only inside our courtrooms. It should reach the communities that need protection the most, including the people who preserve our culture through film and storytelling,” he said. “Through this collaboration, we hope to make legal assistance more accessible, educate industry workers about their rights, and remind every filmmaker and creator that they do not have to face these challenges alone. When we work together, we strengthen not only the industry, but also the very stories that define us as a nation.”
Under the memorandum of agreement with the IBP – Quezon City Chapter, the two parties established a continuing partnership for legal education, free legal assistance, and advocacy for fair policies in the film community. The agreement aims to provide free legal consultation, advice, and representation for qualified film and audiovisual workers in need. It also commits both sides to educating filmmakers and workers on their legal rights through workshops on the Eddie Garcia Law, intellectual property rights, and contracts and obligations.
The memorandum of understanding with PhilHealth Regional Office NCR is intended to bring PhilHealth services closer to Filipino film and audiovisual workers. Grounded on the National Health Insurance Program, the Universal Health Care Act, and the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, or YAKAP, the agreement promotes public information about PhilHealth programs, registration
and membership updating, and YAKAP enrollment. YAKAP is PhilHealth’s expanded primary care benefit, giving members access to free consultations, laboratory and cancer screenings, and a wider range of essential medicines; it is intended to reduce out-of-pocket expenses through preventive and primary care.
Bernadette C. Lico, M.D., Regional Vice President of PhilHealth Regional Office NCR, said the partnership extends PhilHealth’s commitment to every sector of Philippine society by strengthening its efforts to provide service for the people behind Filipino productions. “Behind every movie, series, and production are hardworking people. And while you continue to bring joy to the Filipino people through your craft, we at PhilHealth NCR are committed to ensuring that your health and well-being are equally taken care of,” she said. “Healthy artists, healthy production teams, and healthy creatives mean a stronger and more vibrant creative industry for the Philippines. Sama-sama nating alagaan ang mga taong nagbibigay ng kulay, kwento, at saya sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino.”
Under the agreement, PhilHealth PRO-NCR will set up on-site registration booths at Academy activities for membership registration, record updating, and YAKAP enrollment where feasible, and will provide technical assistance for related orientations and the assignment of registrants to YAKAP-accredited clinics. The memorandum of understanding took effect upon signing yesterday morning and will run for three years.
“The signing of the MOA with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Quezon City Chapter (IBP QC), and the signing of the MOU with PhilHealth for the YAKAP program at the SANGGA event marks a turning point for the audio-visual industry,” said Atty. Karl Anthony T. Dionisio, head of the Legal Division of the Film Academy. “These partnerships realize a thoughtful and considerate vision of professionalization, providing free legal services and protecting health security while signaling a meaningful step toward raising the global standing of Filipino cinema.” #
