Manila: The film industry in Ilocos Norte is receiving a significant boost as the provincial government strengthens initiatives to attract both local and international productions through a comprehensive package of incentives and streamlined support services. The initiative aims to position Ilocos Norte as a premier filming destination by offering assistance with site matching, location fee waivers, logistical coordination, and access to the province's diverse natural landscapes, heritage sites, and cultural attractions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative is part of the province's broader strategy to strengthen film tourism and promote Ilocos Norte as a competitive destination for local and international productions. Edison Justine Deus of the Provincial Information Office explained that the provincial government's Media Incentives Desk currently extends this assistance to filmmakers shooting in Ilocos Norte. The presence of the Media Incentives Desk under the provincial government simplifies procedures for production companies and encourages more film, television, and digital media projects in the province.
On Friday, government officials, tourism stakeholders, filmmakers, and representatives from the creative industry gathered at the Ilocandia Cultural Center for the pioneering Film Tourism and Media Incentives Conference. The conference aimed to further explore strategies for promoting the province as a premier destination for film production while boosting tourism and economic development. Ilocos Norte Tourism Officer Aianree Raquel noted that the conference focused on the role of film and digital media in showcasing destinations, attracting visitors, and generating investments.
In partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the conference featured resource speakers such as director, producer, and actor Carlos Siguion Reyna. Reyna is known for transforming the raw landscapes of Ilocos Norte in the 1990s into a living and breathing character on screen, with many Filipino movies shot in the scenic landscapes of Pagudpud, Burgos, and Bacarra before other filmmakers discovered it as an ideal shooting location. At the conference, Reyna shared his experiences and participated in discussions on policies and incentive programs designed to encourage local and international productions to film in the province, thereby creating opportunities for employment, skills development, and business growth.
