MTRCB Chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has organized a child summit to tackle issues that affect the welfare of kids as movie and TV talents. It aims to encourage more people to support the protection of children in the entertainment industry.
The summit is scheduled this afternoon at the Mabini Hall of Malacañang Palace in Manila, in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the National Council for Children’s Television.
Three categories will be addressed in the summit. “Children working in the entertainment industry, such as those auditioning for roles in movies, TV programs and advertisements, are in the first category,” said lawyer Eric Mallonga, who co-chairs the MTRCB’s Child-Protection Committee with lawyer Nelson del Prado.
FORMER child actress Aiza Seguerra
The second category is for children who are the subject matter of movies, news coverage and TV programs, Mallonga added. “This includes kids in conflict with the law—those who are stereotyped as criminals incapable of being rehabilitated. We want to emphasize that these kids shouldn’t be captioned as evil simply because they are in conflict with the law,” Mallonga stressed. “This group includes adopted children. They are often depicted as rebellious and disrespectful of their adoptive parents.”
Children as audience are in the last category, Mallonga reported. “We shall propose more classifications to ensure that children’s interests are adequately protected.” The MTRCB recently revised its classification ratings for TV shows to include “Strong Parental Guidance” or SPG.
Work schedule proposed
The work schedule of children and requirements imposed by the labor department will also be tackled during the summit, said MTRCB Chair Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares. She added that representatives from all broadcasting networks would be invited. “We want to know whether curfews are being followed, and whether children are encouraged to save a portion of their earnings” she said.
Roderick Paulate
The summit will include an open discussion with former child actors Aiza Seguerra, Niño Muhlach, Roderick Paulate and Sheryl Cruz, as well as ABS-CBN talents Robi Domingo and Rayver Cruz. Another highlight will be the presentation of the respective child protection policies of ABS-CBN, GMA 7 and TV5, Llamanzares added.
The event will culminate with a signed memorandum of understanding “to serve as testament to a shared vision for a secure and nurturing environment for our children.”