Movie free privileges for seniors, PWDs set in SM

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Starting June 10, senior citizens and persons with disability in the city may avail of more movie privileges courtesy of the city government and SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan recently signed a memorandum of agreement with SM represented by SM Lifestyle Inc. Senior Vice President Maria Anicia Naval for the grant of a 100 percent discount on SM Cinema admission prices to the SM Cinemas “once a day from Monday to Friday, anytime and any movie.”

              The privilege however does not apply during sneak previews, advance screenings, premiere nights, special public screenings, sports or live events, film festivals and to 3D format, large screen format, DC format, IMAX format, R13 and R16 horror movies.

In exchange, the city will grant SM an incentive through an ordinance that provides a rebate of three percent from the amusement tax of ten percent of the gross receipts from movie house admission fees.

               Councilor Elmer Datuin, chair of the council committee on finance which facilitated the negotiations with SM said that with the agreement, the elderly and the PWD may now watch movies at their preferred time any day from Monday to Friday instead of just Tuesdays. 

Datuin said that beginning May 8, senior and PWD residents can process their movie pass booklets or signed privilege availment form at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) along Mabini St. 

This form along with their senior citizen IDs will be required of them to be let into the cinemas.

To prevent any anomaly, the city will furnish SM with a master list of the qualified beneficiaries for counterchecking.  

             Those not in the list cannot avail of the privilege.