Guidelines for child-friendly TV launched

To further promote child-friendly television programming in the Philippines, the National Council for Children's Television officially launches today the Children's Television Act's Implementing Rules and Regulations with Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC as keynote speaker.

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.

"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.

A salient point in the law enacted in 1997 requires all local TV networks to allot 15 percent daily airtime for child-friendly television shows. Independent producers and executives are also encouraged to produce television programs for children with assistance from the agency's National Endowment Fund.

Luistro also inducts the celebrity champions for child sensitive television during the affair. They are showbiz spouses Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola , Maricel Laxa and Anthony Pangilinan, Christopher Roxas and Gladys Reyes, and Paolo Abrera and Suzi Entrata as the celebrity champion couples.

The couples were chosen by the NCCT, headed by chair Mag Cruz Hatol and members Dr. Honey Carandang, Dr. Nina Lim Yuson, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Prof. Carla Pacis. They will 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. - PIA — ARA