Veteran filmmakers Joey Reyes and Carlitos Siguion-Reyna have urged lawmakers to prioritize affordable cinema tickets over additional charges, opposing a proposal to impose a ₱2 tax on every movie ticket to help finance a proposed National Film Commission. During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, October 21, the directors argued that lowering admission prices could encourage more Filipinos to return to theaters and strengthen the local film industry, which continues to face challenges in attracting audiences.
Reyes, who chairs the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), emphasized that making moviegoing more accessible should be a priority as lawmakers consider measures to support Philippine cinema. Among the proposals under discussion is Senate Bill No. 479, which seeks to establish a film commission supported partly by a special levy on ticket sales. Reyes and Siguion-Reyna questioned the wisdom of collecting additional money from moviegoers when high admission costs are already a concern, urging policymakers to explore other sources of funding. Their position reflects a wider industry discussion about ticket affordability, theater attendance, and the financial sustainability of Filipino films.
The debate comes as cinema operators and filmmakers explore ways to bring audiences back to the big screen. Discounted screenings, including the ₱100 regular admission offered during National Cinema Day in September, have demonstrated public interest in more affordable moviegoing experiences. Although the proposed ₱2 levy remains subject to legislative deliberation, the filmmakers’ appeal raises a central question for the industry’s future: whether efforts to support local productions should begin with additional ticket charges or with policies that make Filipino films more accessible to audiences.