Question & AnswerQ&A (VALENZUELA CITY ORDICE NO. 159 SERIES OF 2014)
The main policy is to provide a privilege to senior citizens of Valenzuela City by directing cinema owners/operators to grant free admission to all senior citizens of the city on specific occasions.
Senior citizens who are duly registered in the City of Valenzuela and present a valid Senior Citizens Identification Card are eligible to avail of the free admission privilege.
Senior citizens must present their Senior Citizens ID card, and the person accompanying them must pay the regular admission fee. The privilege is only available on Valenzuela Day (November 12, whole day), Senior Citizens' Birthday Month (Monday to Friday only), and Elderly Month (October, Monday to Friday only).
The free admission is not available during weekends, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), advanced screenings, special screenings, sneak previews (except the last day of MMFF), and during organized group activities of senior citizens.
The first offense results in a fine of Php 5,000; second offense Php 10,000; and third offense Php 15,000. These are administrative fines imposed by the Business Permits and Licensing Office during business license renewal.
Upon conviction, the penalties are: first offense - Php 5,000 fine or imprisonment of up to 1 month or both; second offense - Php 10,000 fine or imprisonment of 1-2 months or both; third offense - Php 15,000 or imprisonment of 2-3 months or both.
No. The ordinance specifically states that tours or organized group activities (more than 10 senior citizens) are excluded from availing this privilege.
Theater owners or persons in charge of movie houses, theaters, or cinema operations are empowered to require the presentation of the Senior Citizen ID to prevent unauthorized use of the privilege.
OSCA, in coordination with BPLO and the Task Force Disiplina, handles complaints filed by affected senior citizens and enforces administrative penalties against violators.
The ordinance takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.