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Gov't incentives boost film industry in Ilocos Norte

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GOV'T INCENTIVES. Visitors at the Paoay sand dunes in this undated photo. The provincial government said on July 10, 2026 that it continues to offer incentives to filmmakers, offering its cinematic landscapes such as this. File photo 



By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY—The film industry in Ilocos Norte is getting a boost as the provincial government strengthens initiatives to attract local and international productions through a 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 waiver, logistical coordination, and access to the province's diverse natural landscapes, heritage sites, and cultural attractions.

It is also part of the province's broader strategy to strengthen film tourism and promote Ilocos Norte as a competitive destination for local and international productions.

“At present, the provincial government’s Media Incentives Desk extends this assistance to filmmakers shooting in Ilocos Norte,” Edison Justine Deus of the Provincial Information Office said.

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 July 10, 2026, 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 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 said 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 like director, producer, and actor Carlos Siguion Reyna who transformed the raw landscapes of Ilocos Norte in the 1990s as a living and breathing character on screen with many Filipino movies shot in the cinematic landscapes of Pagudpud, Burgos, and Bacarra before other filmmakers discovered it as ideal shooting locations.

At the conference, he shared his experiences, including open discussions on policies and incentive programs designed to encourage local and international productions to film in the province, creating opportunities for employment, skills development, and business growth.

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