Consumer spending seen to settle at 5.5% this year

The BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, has projected that the Philippines’ household spending this year would settle at 5.5 percent as consumer confidence continues to recover since its all-time low in the second quarter of 2022, the height of the pandemic.

The research group said the consumer spending outlook in 2023 is lower than the 8.7 percent estimated growth for 2022 due to elevated inflation over the past few months. “Inflationary forces will remain elevated across 2023, but nominal income growth is still forecast to outpace inflation, which ensures real income growth for consumers, giving greater propensity for spending. However, inflation is likely to remain elevated, and we expect the central bank to tighten monetary policy further in an attempt to maintain control,” the BMI said in its commen- tary released to the media on Wednesday.

From 2023 to 2027, the BMI sees consumer spending in the Philippines settle at an average of 5.9 percent.

“The slowdown in growth is in line with expectations, but the pace of deceleration was more modest than predicted. Elevated energy prices and tightening monetary policy will result in further deceleration during the forecast period,” it added.

20th City Council

3rd Regular Session

Series of 2023

PRESENT:

Vice Mayor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr.

Councilor Marissa S. Abella

Councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr.

Councilor Luna Maria Dominique S. Acosta

Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula

Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag

Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag

Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre

Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr.

Councilor Conrado C. Baluran

Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan

Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan

Councilor Pilar C. Braga

Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III

Councilor Jonard C. Dayap

Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr.

Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod

Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus

Councilor Rodolfo M. Mande

Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic

Councilor Bonz Andre A. Militar

Councilor Temujin B. Ocampo

Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz

Councilor Alberto T. Ungab

Councilor Lorenzo Benjamin D. Villafuerte

Councilor Trisha Ann J. Villafuerte

Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT:

- Presiding Officer

3.6 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT. The City Government of Davao shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with all cinemas, cinema owners, and cinema operators within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao upon the effectively of this Ordinance. The Memorandum of Agreement shall provide the specific day and time when the privilege may be availed of, the allotment of seats for PWDs, and the proof of identification required to be presented to avail of the free movie access in the available movie theaters of the cinema operators.

The free movie privilege granted to PWDs under this Ordinance shall be counted under the cinema’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.

3.7 MONITORING SHEET. Cinema owners and operators must provide a monthly monitoring sheet where the PWDs will register their full name, signature, and PWD ID number upon availing of the privilege.

The Monitoring Sheet shall serve as proof of compliance to this Ordinance, and must be available at any time for tracking purposes.

3.8 POSTERS AND NOTICES FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS. All cinemas within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao are required to display posters or notices on the cinema booths where cinema viewers transact to buy tickets. The posters or notices shall be written in big, legible text and shall contain the privilege of PWDs to free movie access, the date and time of screening, and the number of seats allotted for PWDs who may avail of the said access.

The posters or notices shall serve the purpose of generating public awareness of the free movie privilege of PWDs and ensuring that the provisions of this Ordinance are duly implemented.

3.9 THEATER SEATS. Cinemas shall allocate and reserve comfortable and convenient seats for PWD viewers. The reserved seats shall also be easily accessible to PWD viewers. However, PWD viewers may opt to sit anywhere aside from the reserved seats within the cinema to their liking.

PWD viewers in wheelchairs must have a designated space within the cinema, in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or “An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons by Requiring Certain Buildings, Institutions, Establishments and Public Utilities to install Facilities and Other Devices”.

SECTION 4. SCOPE AND COVERAGE – This Ordinance shall be enforced in all cinemas within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao.

SECTION 5. PENALTY – Any person who commits fraudulent means to avail of this privilege shall be penalized as follows:

5.1 First offense – a fine of Two Thousand Pesos (PhP 2,000.00);

5.2 Second offense – a fine of Three Thousand Pesos (PhP 3,000.00);

Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. - OB- Attended the Liga ng mga Barangay National Executive Board (NEB) Meeting/Assembly in Manila

ORDINANCE NO. 0155-23 Series of 2023

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING PERSONS WITH DISABILITY, WITH DULY ISSUED IDENTIFICATION CARDS BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF DAVAO, FREE MOVIE PRIVILEGE TO ALL CINEMAS IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as the “Persons with Disability Free Movie Privilege Ordinance”.

SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS – For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms are defined:

2.1 Persons with Disability (PWDs) are defined by Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons as persons suffering from restriction of different abilities, as a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being. An impairment is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure of function. Disability shall mean (1) physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or activities of such individual; (2) a record of such an impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment.

Persons designated by law as PWDs, such as Cancer Survivors pursuant to Republic Act No. 11215 or the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, persons with Rare Diseases under Republic Act No. 10747 or the Rare Diseases Act of the Philippines, and other related laws shall be considered as PWDs.

2.2 A Cinema or Movie theater is a venue, usually a building or located within malls, that contains seating for an audience for the purpose of public entertainment. It is a commercial operation that plays films or movies for paying customers.

2.3 PWD Identification Card (PWD ID) refers to the official Identification Cards issued by the City Government of Davao to persons classified as PWDs. It shall bear the name, picture and type of disability of the PWD;

2.4 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to a company’s voluntary commitment to conduct business in an ethical way, and to contribute to the development of society and the local community.

SECTION 3. GUIDELINES AND REGULATIONS – The following acts shall be observed in the implementation of this Ordinance:

3.1 FREE MOVIE PRIVILEGE. Persons with Disability with duly issued PWD IDs shall enjoy the privilege of free movie access to any film of their choice, in a cinema or movie theater. The free movie privilege shall be non-transferable and may only be availed of by the PWD. If the PWD cannot personally transact with cinema personnel, he/she may be represented by his/her companion for transaction purposes, provided, they are present during the transaction. Cinemas or cinema operators must strictly implement a “NO PWD ID, NO ENTRY” policy. The PWD must also present his/her movie pass booklet upon entry.

The free movie privilege only applies to regular movie screenings, excluding special cinemas such as Dolby Atmos, IMAX Theaters, Director’s Club, and 3D and 4D theaters. For blockbuster films, the free movie privilege may only be availed of during its second week. The said privilege does not extend to screenings for special events such as sponsored movie premiers, pay-per-view shows, and the like.

3.2 MOVIE PASS BOOKLET. The Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) shall issue availing PWDs with a Movie Pass Booklet. The said booklet shall contain the serial number, PWDs full name, photo, address, PWD ID number, and signature. The booklet shall also contain the dates and number of movies that the PWD may avail of during the entire year.

The movie pass booklet shall be non-transferable and must be presented by the PWD to the cinema personnel upon entry.

3.3 VERIFICATION. For purposes of verification of PWD IDs, Cinema Operators must refer to the Philippine Registry for Person with Disability Website (PRPWD). Should cinema operators wish to conduct further verification, they may also contact the Records Section of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) at (082) 286-3689.

3.4 AVAILMENT. The free movie pass may be availed of only by PWDs registered under the City Government of Davao. They may avail of the free movie privilege once a week, every Monday, and during the first screening only. However, cinemas are not prohibited from offering the free movie privilege on additional days of the week.

The free movie pass is good for one screening only per week. Should the PWD opt to screen another movie on the scheduled free movie privilege day, they will have to pay the regular movie entrance with the 20% discount provided for under the law.

3.5 PARTICIPATING CINEMAS. On the day that PWDs may avail of the Free Movie Privilege, cinema owners or operators should allot at least 5% of the total seating capacity of the movie theater for availing PWDs.

5.3 Third offense – a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00).

If the violation under Section 5 is committed through fraudulent means, s such as falsification of a PWD ID, the offender shall also be punished in a accordance with the provisions of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Cinema operators or personnel who encounter violators of this Ordinance under Section 5 may report to the nearest police station.

SECTION 6. ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT OR CITATION TICKET. – An Ordinance Violation Receipt, otherwise known as a “Citation Ticket” shall be issued to the violators of this Ordinance. The Citation Ticket shall state the name and address of the violators, the specific violation committed and the provisions of the succeeding Section on the “No Contest Provision”.

If the violation of this Ordinance be deemed to have been committed by a corporation, partnership or juridical entity, duly recognized in accordance with law, the chief executive officer, president, general manager, managing partner, or such other officer-in-charge, if known, shall be cited for the commission of the offense.

SECTION 7. NO CONTEST PROVISION – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance, who does not wish to contest the violation and is willing to pay voluntarily the fine imposed upon him or her under the Ordinance prior to the filing of a formal complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor shall be allowed to pay said fine with the City Treasurer’s Office to avoid being criminally prosecuted. The availment of the “No Contest Provision” shall exempt an individual from criminal liability under this Ordinance.

For this purpose, the City Legal Office and the City Treasurer’s Office shall provide the procedure for the availment of the “No Contest Provision” and establish a case inventory and recording system for all violations of this Ordinance.

Provided, that if a violator has already availed of the “No Contest Provision,” he or she can no longer avail of the same and the corresponding complaint for any violation of this Ordinance shall be immediately filed.

SECTION 8. TRANSITORY PROVISION – Within a period of six (6) months after the enactment of this Ordinance, the executive must release the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the execution of this Ordinance.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE – The provisions of any ordinance, resolution, order, rules and regulations that are inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SECTION 10. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, no other sections or provisions shall be affected thereby.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect after thirty (30) days following its approval and publication in a newspaper of local circulation consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Code.

ENACTED, on the 24th day of January 2023, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

MELCHOR B. QUITAIN JR. Vice Mayor Presiding Officer cns/mark

ATTESTED:

FRANCIS MARK H. LAYOG Acting City Administrator