The Mandaluyong City local government on Tuesday, Jan. 30, announced the temporary suspension of the assessment, collection, and payment of the 10 percent amusement taxes in its bid to support locally produced movies and films.
Mayor Ben Abalos
Mandaluyong City Mayor Ben Abalos inked Ordinance No. 965, S-2024 suspending the assessment, collection, and payment of the 10 percent amusement taxes for the exhibition of locally produced movies and films for three years effective Jan. 29, 2024.
"The city, as a form of support to the local film industry, has reduced or temporarily waived amusement taxes imposed upon particular film and movie producers and theater operators within the city for numerous instances and on a case-to-case basis, evidencing its genuine intent to aid, assist, and provide means to the Philippine movie industry in achieving its highest artist pic and financial potentials," the ordinance read.
"The assessment, collection, and payment of the 10 percent amusement tax for the exhibition of locally produced films and movies is hereby suspended for a period of three years commencing on the date of this ordinance's effectivity, subject to all laws and existing legal rules and regulations. For the purpose of this ordinance, "locally produced movies and films" are movies and films which are produced by a local production company registered under Philippine laws and shall not include all kinds of movies and films which are merely distributed by any local production company," it added.
According to the city government, the ordinance will be automatically repealed after the three-year period.
Aside from Mandaluyong City, Makati had also suspended the collection of amusement taxes to boost its tourism and support local artists in the city.