Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _8740

Introduced By Representative: ALLAN BENEDICT 8. REYES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the State shall adopt an
integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to
make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at
affordable cost. For this purpose, there shall be priority for the needs of the vulnerable
members of society including the elderly. Similarly, Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution

, declares that 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.

Republic Act No. 9257," otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
2003" aims to, among others, recognize the important role of the private sector in the
improvement of the welfare of our dear senior citizens and to actively seek their partnership.
The said Act also established in all cities and municipalities an Office for Senior Citizens
Affairs (‘OSCA") which plans, implements and monitors yearly work programs in pursuance
of the objectives of the said Act?

Some local government units (LGUs) also implement their respective local ordinances
or resolutions that provide senior citizens with additional benefits and privileges in excess of
what is required by national laws. For instance, some LGUs provide free medicines and
subsidized health care services, cash gifts, birthday cake and vehicle coding exemption ? In
partnership with private establishments, particularly cinema owners, certain LGUs are also
able to extend the joy of watching movies to our senior citizens free of any charge.

, An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens, Further Amending Republic Act No. 7432, as
amended, Otherwise Known as “An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Geant

Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes”, 15 February 2010, [hereinafter, “Expanded Senior Citizens

Act of 2003”)

Section 6, Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003.

3 See Benefits of Senior Citizens in Quezon City available at htrox:/ /quezoncity.gov.ph/gcitiz
card /#:~:text= Benefits’ 2of 2) Senines20Citizens* 2200 uezoni2NCiry etext Free

n2%<20ups20io lat AMlocated”4 Pin 2ithe”éaeiny (ast accessed 7 February 2021)

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This Representation believes that this modest privilege of being able to watch movies
for free should be enjoyed by all our dear senior citizens in the entire country instead of just
those residing in certain cities and municipalities. Sharing to them this simple form of
recreation is @ good way to give full support to the improvement of their total well-being as
wwe rightfully recognize their rights to take their proper place in Philippine society.

|n view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

QUA SW

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES
Representative
3" District, Quezon City

Pace 2 ofA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8740

Introduced By Representative: ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

AN ACT GRANTING EXCLUSIVE FREE MOVIE PRIVILEGE TO ALL SENIOR CITIZENS
IN THE ENTIRE PHILIPPINES:

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Free Movie Privilege
for Senior Citizens Act of 2021.”

1

2

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4 SECTION 2. Coverage. - The privilege under this Act shall be exclusively enjoyed
5 _ byall senior citizens in the Philippines or those who, as defined under Republic Act 7432,
6 are resident citizens of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old. For this purpose, the
7 best evidence to proof eligibility to the privilege under this Act is the Senior Citizen Card
8 — duly issued by the government.

10 All movie theaters or cinemas or such similar establishments and institutions that
11. show movies or films for the general public are required to comply with the provisions of
12 this Act.

14 SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
15 the promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper
16 implementation of its provisions shall be formulated by the Department of Social Welfare
17 and Development (DSWD) in coordination with all the stakeholders and covered
18 establishments and institutions.

20 SECTION 4. Penaities- Any person or movie establishment who refuses to extend
21 to a senior citizen the privilege provided under this Act shall suffer the same penalties
22 under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, fo wit:

24 (a) For the first violation, imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more

25 than six (6) years and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not
26 exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00);

‘ ‘An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grants Benefits and Special
Privileges, 23 April 1992.

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(b) For any subsequent violation, imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but
Not more than six (6) years and a fine of not less than One Hundred thousand pesos
(Php100,000.00) but not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000.00); and

(c) Any person who abuses the privilege granted herein shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and a fine of not less than Fifty thousand
Pesos (Php50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00).

If the offender is a corporation, partnership, organization or any similar entity, the
Officials thereof directly involved such as the president, general manager, managing
partner, or such other officer charged with the management of the business affairs shall
be liable therefor.

If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, he/she shall be deported immediately after
service of sentence.

Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper
authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to
Operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any person, establishment or
business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
ules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

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