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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1152
■22 AUG 15 A9 39
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING SENIOR CITIZENS FREE MOVIE ACCESS TO ALL MOVIE 
THEATERS NATIONWIDE AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Our senior citizens are the repository of the country's history and a living testimony 
of our people's legacy. In recognition of their value, it is proper for the government to 
provide measures that will enable senior citizens to enjoy their twilight years.
In the Philippines, senior citizens as defined under Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, 
otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010", are those aged 60 years 
or over. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) May 2020 Census data, 
there were 12,336,355 ^ilipinos aged 60 years old and over. The total number of senior 
citizens was 11.31 percent of the country's estimated total population based on the 2020 
Census of Population and Housing.1 Moreover, according to the PSA, the poverty 
incidence among the seniors in the country is estimated at 9.1% in 2018.2
1 Philippine Daily Inquirer, https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1497408/ph-senior-citizen3-in-a-time-of- 
pandemic
2 Philippine Statistics Authority.
https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Table%204.%20Poverty%20Incidence%20and%20Magnitude%20o
f%20Poor%20Senior%20Citzens%2C%20by%20Region%2C%202015%20and%202018.xlsx


With the increasing number of senior citizens in the country and the decline in 
their productive capacity that exposes them to various vulnerabilities, the State must 
guarantee that this sector is not condemned to oblivion. The government must be ready 
to respond appropriately to the unique challenges and demands they encounter. Since 
the adoption of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, several laws have been passed 
promoting and upholding the rights of our senior citizens, such as: RA No. 7432 or "An 
Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation-building"; RA No. 9994 or 
the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010" which further amended RA No. 7432 which 
grants benefits and special privileges to Senior Citizens; RA No. 10868 or the "Centenarian 
Act of 2016"; and RA No. 11350 or the "National Commission of Senior Citizens Act".
This bill seeks to provide senior citizens greater support in raising and developing 
their artistic and cultural awareness, nourishing their souls, and upBftIng their spirits in 
their twilight years. Several local government units have already passed ordinances 
granting the free admission of senior citizens to movie theatres, but this privilege Is limited 
and discretionary on the part of the LGUs concerned. This proposed measure will make 
the privilege nationwide in scope and mandatory in application.
With our country's aspiration of ensuring that the well-being, self^orth and quality 
of life of our elderly are maintained, the immediate passage of thl/bill is/earnestly sought.
CHALIaN


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
]
First Regular Session 
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 1152
*22 AUG 15 A 9 39
8V
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROVIDING SENIOR CITIZENS FREE MOVIE ACCESS TO ALL MOVIE 
THEATERS NATIONWIDE AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free Movies for Senior
2 
Citizens Act".
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Objectives. - The 1987 Philippine
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Constitution declares as policy of the State the promotion of a just and dynamic social
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order that will ensure the prosperity of the nation and free the people from poverty
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through policies that provide adequate social services and an improved quality of life.
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It further declares under Article XV, Section 4 that it is the duty of the family to take
9 
care of its elderly members while the State may design programs of social security for
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them.
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Consistent with these constitutional policies, this Act seeks to achieve the
12 
following objectives:
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(a) To recognize the rights of senior citizens and their proper place in society,
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not only In terms of health care and related services but also in the improvement of
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their well-being and quality of life;


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(b) To motivate and encourage senior citizens to contribute to nation-building 
through the enhancement of their artistic faculties and exposure to cultural activities;
(c) To encourage families and communities to reaffirm the Filipino tradition of 
valuing and caring for our senior citizens; and
(d) To recognize the important role of the private sector in the improvement of 
the welfare of senior citizens and actively seek their partnership.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms and 
phrases shall apply:
(a) Free Movie Privilege refers to the absolute privilege granted to senior 
citizens under this Act. The term "free" shall mean that fees, charges, and taxes of all 
kinds shall not be imposed.
(b) Movie Theater refers to a theater, cinema or movie house where films are 
shown. The commercial operations of this type of establishment are In the form of 
selling movie tickets for purchase of the general public. For purposes of this Act, the 
term includes only regular movie theaters, expressly excluding premium 
establishments such as 3D, 4D, IMAX, or director's club theaters and cinemas. The 
privilege also does not cover special events such as sponsored movie premiers, pay 
per view showing, and other similar movie screenings that cater to special productions.
(c) Senior Citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty 
(60) years old.
SEC. 4. Scope and Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all movie theaters in the 
country and may be availed of by all senior citizens nationwide.
SEC. 5. Free Movie Privilege, Avaiiment and Non-transferabiiity. - The free 
movie privilege shall be non-transferable and exclusively given to senior citizens upon 
their personal presentation of a duly issued Senior Citizens Identification (ID) Card. 
Allowing another person to use one's ID shall result in the revocation of the free movie 
privilege under this Act. Senior citizens shall be entitled once a week to the free movie 
privilege unless the movie theater where they seek admission to has extended the


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free movie privilege more than once a week. Every free movie access ticket shall be 
valid only for a single viewing.
SEC. 6. Local Government Units and Compliance Monitoring of Movie Theaters. 
- Local government units (LGUs) in their respective territorial jurisdictions shall ensure 
the implementation of this Act in movie theaters within their localities. Each movie 
theater shall be required to provide an official monitoring sheet where senior citizens 
shall register and write their full names, signatures, and Senior Citizens ID numbers 
every time they avail of the privilege. The LGUs shall require movie theaters to submit 
such monitoring sheets and other relevant reports as proof of compliance.
SEC. 7. Penalty Clause. - Any movie theater operator who fails to comply with 
the provisions of this Act shall be meted a fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos 
(PhP20,000.00) for every violation.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Interior and 
Local Government, in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. The implementing rules and 
regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
SEC. 9. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current appropriations of the 
LGUs. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect.


SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with 
or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, amended or repealed 
accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,