Persons with disability (PWDs) in Davao City will soon have free access to movies in all cinemas in the city after the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed and approved an ordinance on the third and final reading Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
The “An Ordinance Granting Persons with Disability, with Duly Issued Identification Cards by the City Government of Davao, Free Movie Privilege to All Cinemas in the City of Davao”
Committee on Games and Amusement chairperson Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan, in a Viber interview with the City Information Office (CIO), said she expects the ordinance to be implemented within six months after it is signed by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
“Transitory provisions allow the executive department to release the implementing rules and regulations for the execution of the ordinance within six months,” she said.
The “An Ordinance Granting Persons with Disability, with Duly Issued Identification Cards by the City Government of Davao, Free Movie Privilege to All Cinemas in the City of Davao,” according to her, is the first of its kind for the city’s PWD community. The senior citizens first availed of the free movie privilege.
Being Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Games and Amusement committee head, Bonguyan said it is also fitting to grant free movie access to PWDs.
“This special privilege is one way of recognizing their existence,” she said.
The ordinance provides that PWDs with Davao City government-issued IDs shall enjoy the free movie benefit to any film of their choice in any cinema in the city. But their companions will have to pay for their movie tickets.
PWDs, as defined by Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, are persons suffering from restriction or different disabilities, as a result of mental, physical, or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. PWDs also refer to cancer survivors (RA 11215) and persons with rare diseases (RA 10747).
Bonguyan underscored that movie theaters will implement the “No PWD ID, No Entry” policy.
The ordinance also states, “The free movie privilege only applies to regular movie screenings, excluding special cinemas such as Dolby Atmos, Imax Theaters, Director’s Club, and 3D and 4D theaters.
The PWDs will have to pass their movie pass booklet upon entry to the cinemas every Monday when they can avail of the benefit.
Bonguyan added, “The first screening time is intended for the PWDs to ensure their safety since it is not yet crowded.”
She also said cinema owners will allocate five percent of their total seating capacity to PWD moviegoers during their scheduled Monday screening time.
Bonguyan, however, warned that any individual who commits fraudulent means to avail of the free movie privilege will be penalized with a fine of P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense. Citation tickets will be issued to violators. CIO
