“They were children themselves who now have children of their own. It should not be difficult to get them to cooperate,” National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) chair Mag Cruz Hatol said of TV execs whose networks are being required by law to allot 15 percent of broadcast time to child-friendly programs.
Hatol happily noted the networks’ positive response during the recent consultative forum that the NCCT hosted on the drafting of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act No. 8370 or the Children’s Television Act of 1997.
First in series
The forum was held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan inside the Department of Education complex in Pasig City. It was the first in a series of public consultations on the drafting of the IRR. Similar events are set on May 4 in Baguio City; May 8, Iloilo City, and May 10, Davao City.
Stakeholders
Hatol told the Inquirer that all stakeholders—parents, educators, faith groups, child-focused agencies and, of course, the networks —will be asked for their inputs.
“This is so that we can all be happy in executing the law,” Hatol said.
Child psychologist and NCCT council member Ma. Lourdes Carandang thought the forum was “very successful.” She explained: “Everyone seemed to have understood that TV is very powerful and that the child’s mind is very vulnerable to what TV produces.”
Child rep
During the exchange, Hope for the Youth Foundation Inc. executive director Aleta Santos suggested that a child representative be included as NCCT member. She said kids should be consulted about the IRR as well.
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board legal counsel Jonathan Presquito said the IRR should clearly define what child-friendly programs are, and indicate that child-viewing hours should be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
National Nutrition Council officer Marilou Enteria recommended routine airing of “infomercials” on the ill-effects of cigarettes and alcohol, and the negative consequences of eating unhealthy food.
Join hands
Former National Commission for Culture and the Arts executive director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez suggested that the NCCT join hands with foundations promoting the same cause to disseminate information about the law.
Hatol said the NCCT was aware of the difficulties that TV stations might face in producing more child-focused shows. “It will require a lot of funding,” he said. “They have the will, that’s for sure, but we all know how the spirit is often willing, but the flesh is weak, so to speak.”
Networking
“We know we should network with a lot of other groups regarding the IRR,” Carandang added. “Many sectors are fighting for child protection on their own. We just have to tap them, harness their resources.”