Cebu City urged: Help anti-piracy campaign

CEBU, Philippines - Theater owners in Cebu City asked the city government to help curb movie piracy to bring back the old glory of the movie industry.

To eliminate movie piracy, which is the greatest challenge of players in the movie industry, comes first in their wish list while admitting that lower amusement tax would also ease up their burden.

Bobit S. Avila, whose family owns Oriente Theater in down town, told the City Council that the city government could help the movie theater industry in two folds if it will be able to stop establishments from selling pirated DVDs and VCDs which prevents people from going to cinemas.

Avila was in the council session last Wednesday for the public hearing of the proposed reduction in the amusement tax from 30 percent of the gross income to 15 percent.

While he said he welcomes the move of the council to help theater owners increase their income a bit, he also appealed for help in the fight against piracy in Cebu as the Optical Media Board is apparently lax in its campaign.

“If government will be able to avert piracy, musaka ang sinehan. Movies that are new will no longer be a problem,” Avila said.

Avila said that the trouble brought by pirated videos was the reason that Republic Act 9640 was created.

RA 9640 lowered the amusement tax from 30 percent of the gross income to 10 percent. But the said law, he said, is not being recognized by the city government.

During the public hearing for the proposed reduction of amusement tax, theater owners express support but insisted that Cebu City adopt the provisions of RA 9640 which only mandates them to pay 10 percent in amusement tax.

Avila said by adopting RA 9640, the city government eliminates the confusion. (FREEMAN)