Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

Houle Bilt No, 4008

Introduced by Rep. Christopher P. De Venecia

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Television remains to be one of the most accessible and influential mediums to
Filipino children, A recent study, conducted by the National Council for Children’s Television
(NCCT) from late February to March 2015, shows most Filipino children, defined in Republic
Act No, 8370 as all persons below eighteen (18) years old, still prefer watching television
when they get home after school, Four thousand three hundred ninety five (4,395) children
below eighteen (18) years old from Grades 3 to 10 enrolled in two hundred nine (209) public
and private elementary and high schools all over the country were surveyed, revealing that
during weekdays, many children watch television from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. ~ considered the
prime time of Philippine television replete with news shows and teleserye programming.

The study also revealed that most Filipino children watch television for close to three
(3) hours during weekdays, and six (6) hours during weekends. Both are beyond the
‘American Academy of Pediatrics recommended daily exposure to television, which is only
one (1) to two (2) hours.

The NCCT is the sole policy-making agency mandated to encourage and promote the
production and broadcast of children’s and child-friendly television programs for the Filipino
children, The agency was created by Republic Act No. 8370, otherwise known as the
“Children’s Television Act of 1997”. NCCT works together with an Advisory Committee,
which assists the NCCT in the formulation of national policies pertaining to children’s
broadcast programs and in monitoring its implementation, to ensure that quality television
programs are offered to Filipino children for their empowerment and holistic development.

Television programs not specifically created for children are detrimental to their
growth, even without the existence of vulgarity and violence in its content. Concepts that
are improperly interpreted by children could mean a shift in their worldview and
perspective, and any incorrect inferences to what is ‘real’ and ‘socially acceptable’ or
‘correct’ could lead to possible conflicts in a child's development. Various studies and
research has shown the following negative health effects because children cannot
discriminate between what they see and what is real: violence and aggressive behavior;
sexuality; academic performance; body concept and self-image; nutrition, dieting, and
obesity; and substance use and abuse patterns.

In light of the alarming statistics bared by the abovementioned study, there is a need
to ensure that the NCCT is advised knowingly and prudently in the formulation of national
policies pertaining to children’s broadcast programs, since the future lies in the hands of our


children. Thus, a review and amendment of the composition of the NCCT Advisory
Committee is necessary.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

lose
REP. CHRISTOPHER P. DE VENECIA

Fourth District, Pangasinan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4503

Introduced by Rep. Christopher P. De Venecia

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO, 8370, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CHILDREN’S
TELEVISION ACT OF 1997”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 6 of Republic Act No.8370, otherwise known as the “Children’s
Television Act of 1997”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 6, The Advisory Committee and Its Composition. - There is
hereby constituted an Advisory Committee which shall assist the Council in
the formulation of national policies pertaining to children’s broadcast
programs and in monitoring its implementation. The council and the Advisory
Committee shall meet at least once every quarter of a year.

“The members of the Advisory Committee shall be composed of the
following:

"a) the Executive Director of the Council for the Welfare of
Children;

"b) [the—Chairman—er—Executive—Directorof_the—National—
Commmission-for-Culture-and-the-Arts] THE HEAD OF THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS
COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL EDUCATION AND.
INFORMATION;

c) the President of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa
Pilipinas;

"d) the President or Executive Director of the Philippine
Association of National Advertisers;

Ne) [Prass-Undersecretary/] Officer-In-Charge of the Philippine
Information Agency CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION SERVICES
DIVISION;


"f) the Chairman of the Movie and Television Review and
classification Board; [and]

"g) a representative from the National Telecommunications
Commission REGULATION BRANCH; AND

"h)A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE NATIONAL YOUTH
COMMISSION.

“Whenever any member of the Advisory Committee is unable to attend, he
or she shall designate a representative to attend as his or her alternate.”

SEC, 2. Separability Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive
orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SEC, 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,