Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos clarified on Saturday, February 20, that the suggestion on the reduced capacity in cinemas did not come from them.
In a statement, Abalos said the 20 to 30 percent seating capacity in cinemas once the reopening is approved, “was just the suggestion of the economic team and not in any way the proposal of MMDA.”
He reiterated that the Metro Manila Council “strongly opposes and have voted unanimously against the reopening of cinemas ” and filed a motion for reconsideration with regards to the interagency task force (IATF) position on the matter.
Abalos also maintained that the Metro Manila mayors believe that “now is not the right time to reopen the cinemas.”
“In the event that the final decision would be to allow the reopening of the cinemas, it is the Metro Manila Mayors and not the MMDA, who would determine the seating capacity they will impose on cinemas within their jurisdiction. They have full discretion as to the guidelines,” he added.