NCCT to monitor TV networks' compliance with Children's TV Act

MANILA, Philippines - All local television (TV) networks are going to be closely monitored in their compliance of a provision of the Children’s Television Act in allotting 15 percent of their daily airtime for child-friendly television shows.

This after the implementing rules and regulations of the said law, enacted in 1997, was launched last week by the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Aside from the requirement for TV networks to offer child-friendly shows, the law also encourages independent producers and executives to produce television programs for children with assistance from the NCCT’s National Endowment Fund. The NCCT is an attached agency of the Department of Education.

The launch of the IRR comes after months of consultations with various child advocacy stakeholders all over the country, participated in by network executives and TV producers, parents, educators, NGOs and media after a series of fora held in Manila, Baguio, Cebu and Davao.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro, in launching ceremonies at the DepEd central office in Ortigas, Pasig City, said the DepEd was all set to assume oversight over compliance with the IRR of the said law.

“We should not leave parenting to television. It is a fundamental obligation of the adults and a social responsibility of the networks to actively pursue child-friendly programming that can have a lasting imprint on the minds of our young, “ said Luistro.

Luistro also inducted the celebrity “champions for child sensitive television,” namely showbiz couples Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola, Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan, Christopher Roxas and Gladys Reyes, and Paolo Abrera and Suzi Entrata.

The couples were chosen by the NCCT, headed by its chairperson Mag Cruz Hatol and members Dr. Honey Carandang, Dr. Nina Lim Yuson, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Prof. Carla Pacis.

The champions are tasked to mobilize public interest by clamoring for more vigilant parenting in the face of television’s perceived adverse effects. The champions will also grace most of NCCT’s programs, projects and events.