In Makati, disabled city folk can watch movies for free

Makati residents with physical disabilities can watch movies in any theater in the city for free, Mayor Jejomar Binay announced Sunday. In a statement, Binay said the “free movies" privilege that first covered all senior citizens in Makati will now benefit people with disabilities following the implementation of City Ordinance No. 2006-066. Binay said the ordinance entitles all registered Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who are holders of the Makati PWD ID cards. “We believe that just like our senior citizens, the so-called PWDs who are bona fide Makati residents should also enjoy the pleasure of watching movies anytime, without limitations, because they, too, deserve our care and compassion," Binay said. Binay said the Makati Social Welfare Department has started distributing the free movie ID cards and movie booklets to a total of 961 initial recipients in 1 barangays (villages). These include barangays San Lorenzo, with 27 recipients; Kasilawan, 87; Comembo, 60; West Rembo, 103; Singkamas, 54; Pio del Pilar, 69; Bangkal, 53; South Cembo, 53; Pitogo, 61; Palanan, 70; La Paz, 36; Pembo, 173 and Rizal, 115. Binay said there are 2,104 registered people with disabilities in Makati so far. He said the program will have the same mechanics like for the senior citizens, in which the city government will pay to cinema owners its 25 percent subsidized share for the movie tickets of PWDs who avail themselves of the privilege. The beneficiaries, according to Binay, can freely choose any movie they want to watch in Ayala cinemas, Power Plant cinemas, ABC Tri-Cinema in Guadalupe Nuevo and Cinema 2000 of WalterMart Makati. “The same rule shall be followed by the PWDs in securing their free movie tickets and so they must present their free movie ID card and movie booklet to the ticket booth tellers," he said. “The city government pays more than P5 million a year to these four cinemas owners for the subsidized movie tickets of senior citizens." - GMANews.TV