MANILA, Philippines?On the day Malacañang accepted his resignation as chair of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Rolando S. Atienza talked with Inquirer Entertainment to assess his five-year tour of duty.

A former movie producer for Bancom Audiovision (which bankrolled Lino Brocka?s Cannes entry ?Jaguar? in 1980), Atienza was appointed to the FDCP in 2005 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada recommended actor Tirso Cruz III for the top FDCP post in a letter to President Aquino last week. An officer-in-charge has taken over as the film body awaits the appointment of its new head later this week, according to former FDCP executive director Lali Suzara.

Atienza, an Ateneo and Wharton-trained economist, said FDCP?s mandate was ?to improve the quality of local films and ensure the survival of the industry.?

The council earlier commissioned Social Weather Stations to conduct a study, which confirmed that local films were now patronized by viewers from higher income groups, noted Atienza.

Since the audience has become more ?discerning and demanding,? there should be greater emphasis on ?quality,? he said.

This was addressed by the Cinema Evaluation Board, an office under FDCP headed by Christine Dayrit, and which, by law, awards tax incentives to ?quality? films.

The FDCP is also tasked to attract foreign productions to shoot in the country. For this, Atienza said, the Philippine Film Export Services Office, headed by Digna Santiago, was established.

Santiago reported that two major productions were shot in the Philippines this year: US filmmaker John Sayles? ?Amigo? in Bohol and Indian director Ajay Bhuyan?s ?Project #14? in Manila.

One development that coincided with Atienza?s tenure was the full flowering of Filipino independent films in foreign film festivals, said last year?s Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza.

Related Suzara, ?The FDCP provided grants and subsidies to filmmakers. We encouraged directors, actors and even behind-the-scenes people to attend festivals abroad for exposure to world cinema.?

Mendoza said he ?really appreciated? FDCP?s help in this aspect.

?With all the awards Filipino films have won abroad, we?ve proven that we have the talent and creativity. It?s just a matter of selling these films to make them economically viable and self-sustaining,? said Atienza. ?And it?s time for an insider to guide the movie industry.?