‘No shoot policy’ shot down by Luneta, Intramuros officials

The National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) and Intramuros Administration (IA) clarified that, “There is no such thing as a ‘no shoot policy’ as the public may take personal photos in all public places of the Rizal Park and Intramuros." Last Friday, Nov. 11, around a hundred photographers of the Bawal Mag-Shoot Dito (BMSD) group staged a “photo-walk" to protest against the practice of “overzealous security guards" who allegedly prevent photos of the Rizal monument to be taken by ordinary Filipino citizens. In a press release posted Tuesday on the Department of Tourism (DOT) website, NPDC Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas and IA Administrator Jun Capistrano said in a joint statement that both parks are open to the public and that everyone may take personal or souvenir photos. “In fact, we encourage the public and all the visitors to take as much of photos of themselves, document their visits, to talk about it and share it with their families and friends all over the world," said Villegas. “However, those intending to use both venues for commercial advertisements, video infomercials, events (such as prenuptial, et cetera), and other similar events are encouraged to secure a permit, and coordinate with the respective agencies, to facilitate the documentation of activities," said the joint NPDC-IA statement. According to Villegas and Capistrano, nobody has the power to prevent the public, especially Filipinos, to take photos in the historical parks. The two officials said the parks are attached agencies of the DOT, and that the department continues to exert efforts to complete the rehabilitation of Luneta and Intramuros to help revive the old glory and beauty of these tourist spots. Recently, Rizal Park’s management granted permission to about 300 professional and amateur photographers to take part in the Photo Walk for an international competition. Some 50 bloggers also participated and took photos of the park for their websites. — MRT/ELR, GMA News