Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo.___ 3216

Introduced by ALFELITO M. BASCUG, Representative,
187 Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

“AN ACT GRANTING SENIOR CITIZENS A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE OF
FREE MOVIE-ACCESS IN ALL OPERATING MOVIE THEATERS OR
CINEMAS NATIONWIDE”

Explanatory Note

This bill is for the purpose of giving significance to one of the most
important figures in our community — the Senior Citizens.

Their existence up to their twilight years is in itself exemplary by
standing as the living foundation of our history, our families, and our
country. Their simple being helped preserve the sense of morality of
each individual and families which in tur is a reflection of our virtuous
outlook in the society.

Free movie access is already practiced in some Local Government
Units (LGUs) particularly in Metro Manila. However, the privilege is
limited within their respective LGUs. This bill sought to further value our
Senior Citizens with a special privilege of free movie-access anywhere in
the country that will provide them wider latitude to enjoy said privilege.

This bill is also significant for Senior Citizens given the kind of
world we are living ~ a technology driven fast-paced globalizing world —

1


that creates generation gap in geometric fashion. Movies will not only
provide entertainment for elderlies but, more importantly, become a
source of their socialization to an unfolding new world our elderlies
would otherwise find alien. This will significantly bridge the perennial
generation gap that besets every generation and keep them an integral
and significant part of the changing world.

Furthermore, in this age where every person's business is
inevitably taken over by hectic demands of work, there is a tendency for
our elderlies to suffer from neglect. The State in its capacity as the
ultimate parens patriae beginning with our forefathers, have the
obligation to fill in the gaps. While this initiative is not a win-all solution it
will greatly contribute in our Senior Citizens quality of life, well-being and
self-worth even as they approach their twilight years.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.

Pans M. ae


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Constitution Hills, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

311
House Bill No. My

Introduced by ALFELITO M. BASCUG, Representative,
1 Legislative District of Agusan del Sur.

“AN ACT GRANTING SENIOR CITIZENS A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE OF
FREE MOVIE-ACCESS IN ALL OPERATING MOVIE THEATERS OR
CINEMAS NATIONWIDE”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of
the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “SENIOR
CITIZENS’ FREE MOVIE-ACCESS ACT OF 2019”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. Pursuant to Article XV, Sec. 4
of the Constitution, it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly
members while the State may design programs of social security for
them. In addition to this, Article Il, Sec. 10 provides that the State shall
provide social justice in all phases of national development.

The Government on its part has been realizing these constitutional
mandates by promulgating relevant measures that give generous
understanding and welfare to the elderly as embodied in various
legislations such as the Senior Citizens’ Act and Presidential

3


Proclamation No. 470 which establishes a week-long feat for the elderly.

For this purpose, the State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach towards social development by giving priority
to elderly among others.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. The following terms as used in this
Act shall be defined as follows:

a. Senior Citizens- refers to any resident citizen of the

Philippines who is sixty (60) years of age and above.

Free movie-access- refers to the absolute privilege
granted by this Act. By the term “free” means that fees
and charges of all kinds including taxes shall not be
imposed. “Movie-access” should refer to the privilege of
admission in movie theaters or cinema houses without
charge.

. Special types of movie theater/cinemas- refers to

special theaters/cinemas such as Imax theaters, directors
club, and 4D theaters.

Movie Theaters or Cinemas- is a venue, usually a
building that contains an auditorium for viewing films, for
entertainment. The commercial operations of this type of
establishment are in the form of selling movie tickets for
purchase of the general public.

These terms may be used interchangeably. This may
also be called as a movie house

. Related events- refers to screenings for special events

like sponsored movie premiers, pay-per-view showing and
similar others.

SECTION 4. Scope and Coverage. This Act shall be enforced in all

4


movie theaters or cinemas in the Philippines and may be availed of by
all Senior Citizens nationwide.

SECTION 5. Availment of free movie-access. Every Senior Citizen
shall enjoy the special privilege of free movie-access or pass to any film
of their choice in any movie house or theater/cinema throughout the
Philippines. They shall be allowed to avail of the privilege only once
every month and is good for one viewing.

Senior Citizens should transact personally with the cinema personnel
upon availing of the privilege. They must present their personal
identification card issued by Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
The privilege is not imbued with special seat plan/arrangement except
for Senior Citizens on wheelchair where a designated space shall be
allocated for them.

Movie theaters or cinemas must keep a logbook or booklet for record
purposes of the time and date when the privilege was availed of.

This free movie-access is a non-transferrable privilege.

SECTION 6. User Card. A user card must be issued by Office of
Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

For availment of the privilege for the first-time, operating movie
theaters or cinema house through their personnel must stamp and sign
the same. This user card is also non-transferrable.

SECTION 7. Exclusion of Special types of movie theater/cinemas
and related events. This free-movie access privilege shall not bound
special types of movie theaters or cinemas operating in the country.
Furthermore, the privilege shall not also be availed during related events
such as movie premiers, pay-per-view showing and similar others.

SECTION 8. Participating Movie Theaters or Cinemas. The
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall enter into
a Memorandum of Agreement with all movie houses, theater owners and
operators engaged in said business, providing therein the specific day
and time when the privilege may be availed of, as well as the proof of
identification required to be presented to avail of this free movie-access
in their preferred cinema.

SECTION 9. Penalty Clause. Any movie theater or cinema operator

5


who shall fail to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be meted a
fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P 20,000.00) for every commission of
the offense.

SECTION 10. Duties of the National Government and Local
Government Units. - The National Government and the Local
Government Units in their respective territorial jurisdiction where such
movie theater or cinema house is located shall undertake to enhance the
well-being of Senior Citizens. They shall encourage and ensure the
recognition of this Act among movie theater/cinema establishments in
their respective territorial jurisdictions to deliver the privilege granted by
this Act to the elderly.

SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DSWD,
DILG, and OSCA shall craft the necessary implementing rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

Within six (6) months following the approval of this Act, DSWD
shall issue the implementing rules and regulations and circulars
necessary to effectively implement the provisions hereof.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or
the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or the application of
such provision to other person or circumstance shall not be affected by
such declaration.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, letters of
instructions, executive orders and rules and regulations and other
issuances or parts thereof in consistent or in conflict with any provision
of this Act.

SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen

(15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of
general circulation.

Approved,