City, film council forge pact

THE local government and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) formally entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday paving the way for the construction of a cinematheque, a theatre that will screen for free restored Philippines movies in Zamboanga City.

The signing ceremony spearheaded by Mayor Celso Lobregat and FDCP Chair Briccio Santos was held at the City Hall conference room.

The MOA signing was witnessed by vice mayor Cesar Iturralde, FDCP executive director Teodoro Granados and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-Zamboanga deputy director Melodino Patiño.

The local government, based on the agreement, shall lease to the FDCP, a portion of the lot covered by a usufruct agreement with the BSP covering 406 square meters for a period of 20 years and renewable for another 20 years.

The lot located at Pettit Barracks will be leased at P1 per month.

Upon expiration of the lease contract, ownership/possession of the building and other improvements shall be transferred to the city without compensation to the FDCP.

The FDCP shall undertake the construction and development of the cinematheque in Zamboanga at Pettit Barracks at its own expense. It shall likewise observe the provisions of all existing ordinances, laws, rules and regulations and the usufruct agreement of the BSP and the City Government in the construction of the building and the usage of the premises assigned taking into consideration that Pettit Barracks is a heritage zone.

In the meantime, while the cinematheque construction is still under process, the FDCP has agreed to provide the necessary equipment to include projector and screen to be installed as a permanent fixture at the multi-purpose hall of the multi-purpose building at the Paseo del Mar, which will be for perpetual use for film showing.

The FDCP also agreed that said equipment shall no longer be removed when it moves to its new and permanent cinematheque once it is constructed.

It likewise agreed to provide and spend for the personnel that will operate the projector during screenings by the FDCP at the multi-purpose hall.

Santos thanked the City Government for providing the site for the project and commended the city officials for sharing in the vision and goals of the FDCP. (Bong Garcia)