(Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Cinemas in the provinces may resume operations by December, the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) told senators Friday.
During the Senate hearing on the board’s proposed budget for 2021, MTRCB chairperson Rachel Arenas said the revival of movie industry, one of the hardest hit sectors amid the pandemic, is expected by the end of the year.
“Ngayon po naguumpisa na pong magbukas, may dalawa pong drive-in cinemas ang SM. So unti-unti nang nagbubukas yung mga cinemas and hopefully by December, maguumpisang magbukas yung mga cinemas, according to the provinces,” Arenas said.
“So, siguro, it will pick up by the end of the year,” she added.
Further, the MTRCB chief said the board is coordinating with other agencies to extend assistance to the film industry.
“We are also coordinating with other agencies para matulungan din yung industriya the little way that we can,” Arenas said.