Request of the Philippine Red Cross to Cinemas

Last January 5, 2012, the first ever Committee Hearing for the year 2012 was held at the Vice Mayor's Conference Room sponsored by the Committee on Ways and Means of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. It was chaired by no other than Hon. Eduardo D. Leyson IV.

The committee discussed the "Resolution Requesting the Management of Cinema Houses at KCC Mall and Robinsons Place, all in General Santos City, to collect additional P1.00 for every ticket issued to movie goers, the proceeds thereof shall serve as aid to the Philippine Red Cross, General Santos City, Sarangani Province Chapter, Province Chapter starting December 2011 to December 2012".

At the hearing, Ms. Merlie Gludo informed the attendees that with the help of both cinemas, they were able to collect a huge amount from both Robinsons Place and KCC Mall from January to September 2011 with the same resolution. The said amount was confirmed by Ms. Gludo to be P310,270.00.

With some concerns being brought up, the chairman of the Committee, Eduardo D. Leyson IV manifested that Ms. Gludo has already shown him a passage of the previous resolution which authorizes to raise funds that any project of national agencies as long as it has coordinated with the Local Government Unit, then there will be no illegality surrounding the said resolution.

Atty. Taniegra added that the said resolution can be done because a resolution is just expressing the sentiments, not an ordinance that is actually penalizing. It is up to the above-mentioned cinemas whether to accept the said request and there is also no basis in forcing them to collect from the moviegoers.

Hon. Lourdes Casabuena, city councilor, ABC President and member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Red Cross, manifested her undying support of the said request. On the other hand, Assistant City Treasurer Rodilon Lacap advised to just make a clarification to the public that it s not a local imposition but a voluntary contribution of the patron to the Philippine Red Cross.

The resolution was amended into Resolution Supporting the Request of the Philippine Red Cross to the Management of Cinema Houses, KCC Mall and Robinsons Place, subject to style, without time duration.

Members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod who were present during the committee hearing were Hon. Lourdes F. Casabuena and Hon. Elizabeth B. Bagonoc.

With no further queries and concerns, the said item was ruled approved in the committee level. The amended resolution was scheduled for second reading the next session and was later on approved for third and final reading last January 17, 2012.