IRR to encourage child-friendly shows

Encouraging close supervision by adults and set viewing hours for children

The long wait is over.

Finally, after fifteen years of promoting and advocating excellent television for the Filipino children --- and in between, struggling to make a difference in the Philippine television landscape, the National Council for Children's Television (NCCT), an attached agency of the Department of Education (DepEd) is poised to make its mandate even stronger by encouraging television networks and cable operators to produce more shows that portray children in a good light, tackle issues and promote child's rights.

The NCCT was established in 1997 via the Children's Television Act.

Through its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the NCCT hopes to work closely with TV networks and independent content providers to adhere to the requirement set by by the law.

"We are partners. Should not be adversarial," said Mag Cruz Hatol, NCCT chairman.  Prior to the promulgation of the IRR, four public consultations were conducted in Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao.  These were coupled with seminars on good TV viewing habits which were attended by parents, guardians and some children.

The IRR iterates the law that requires TV networks to allot fifteen percent of their daily total airtime for  education children's programs that shall serve as a condition for the grant of a Broadcast Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN)/Provisional Authority (PA)/franchise/license or for their renewal with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

It also provides endowment fund for production of indigenous programs for children.  The National Endowment Fund which the networks can avail of, is meant to develop and produce high quality television programs that are culturally-relevant and developmentally-appropriate for children and to help develop media programs that contribute to Filipino children's awareness and appreciation for their cultural identity, national heritage and social issues.  Per the IRR, the sources of fund shall be from grants, contributions or donations from private corporations and international donors.

It will also be stricter in the enforcement of the law.  The viewing hours from six in the morning to nine in the evening are considered fit for children to watch television.  In coordination with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the Council shall prescribe an appropriate set of criteria for evaluating programs that takes into account the sensibilities of children when it comes to sex, violence and other abuses shown in the small screen.  The latter is currently implementing content rating system before any show begins to air.

The IRR, however does not have a penalty clause.

"I think the right authority should run after those who will not follow the rule.  So what's the punishment?," said Lita Orbillo, a mother and government employee.  She said that any violation should have an attendant penalty, financial or otherwise.

Under the IRR, the Council is mandated "to act and investigate motu propio or on reports of other government agencies or offices or public complaints of violations of the Act, its IRR and pertinent government policies and regulations, in accordance with its own procedures, with the goal of protecting children from negative and harmful influences".  It also allows to cause or initiate the prosecution of violators of the Act.

During the presentation of the IRR to the media, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares lauded the accomplishment of NCCT as a remarkable feat in the best interest of the child. "It is not easy to come up with an IRR," Llamanzares said.

She also cited the efforts of the DepEd in building more classrooms to address the long-standing shortage.  "Mind you, they are building them not shifting classes."

Anthony Pangilinan, Maricel Laxa, Gladys Reyes, Christopher Roxas and their daughters

Child-champions or child-rights couple-advocates were also given recognition during the forum:  TV personality and parenting counselor Maricel Laxa and entrepreneur-husband Anthony Pangilinan, character actress Gladys and actor-husbant Christopher Roxas,  and TV hosts Tin-tin Bersola and husband Julius Babao and Suzie Entrata and husband Paolo Abrera.  With the exception of the last two pairs who were not present, the celebrity couples pledged to continue their advocacy in promoting children's welfare in their chosen profession.

"Hindi po ako kontrabida ngayon.  Para ako sa mga bata (I am not a villainess today.  I am for the children)," Reyes said, referring to her role in the TV soap Mara Clara, opposite Judy Ann Santos.

The NCCT is yet to submit a comprehensive media program for children that will enable the formulation of policies and recommendation of plans and priorities towards the promotion, development, production and broadcasting of appropriate programs for children.