QC councilor wants free movies for QC’s PWDs

A Quezon City councilor has asked cinema owners to treat persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the locality to a free movie once a week.

Jessica Castelo Daza cited the duty of the city council under the Local Government Code “to provide for the care and benefit of the disabled persons.”

She asked her fellow councilors to support the request for cinema owners to grant free admission to PWDs once a week, pointing out that the state considers them “similarly situated” with senior citizens.

Daza said a 2009 council resolution provides that cinema owners in the city should offer free admission for the city’s elderly on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Makati is implementing a similar measure where PWDs are allowed to watch movies for free in all theaters of the city, provided that they present movie booklets from the local government.

This is apart from the 20 percent discount in goods and services, free physical therapy at the Ospital ng Makati for indigents and parking allowances beyond three hours in the city’s Central Business District.

The ordinance implemented in compliance with Republic Act No. 9442, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, which gives a 20 percent discount for commodities and services, and cinema tickets.