The National Commission for Children’s Television (NCCT) is alarmed over the dwindling number of child-friendly television shows.

It is doubly alarming now that networks have less Filipino-produced shows, said NCCT Chair Mag Cruz Hatol, during the Baguio leg of the consultative forum on the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 8370 or the Children’s Television Act of 1997. 

Hatol said locally produced shows are a better vehicle to depict traditional Filipino values and culture, compared to the canned shows bought abroad by TV networks.

“We are losing in broadcast media. We are not as child-sensitive compared to years ago,” Hatol lamented saying a ratings-driven mentality resulted in the axing or rescheduling of child-friendly programs.

At present, there are only five Filipino-produced child-friendly programs. These are Tropang Potchi, Why Not, KNC Show, Igot Liit, and Batibot.

Add to this dilemma is how TV networks interpret the 15 percent daily airtime allotment for child-friendly shows.

The NCCT observed most child-friendly shows are shown only in the morning when kids are expected to be home. Hatol said networks failed to consider that there are children who also watch TV in the afternoon and therefore should have access to child-friendly shows at this time.

NCCT Executive Director Frank Rivera said networks divide the 15 percent in schedules where adults are also expected to watch hence dividing the audience, supposed to be allotted for the viewership of children.

Passed in 1997, RA 8370 still does not have an IRR. 

RA 8370 created an advisory committee composed of the executive director of the Council for the Welfare of Children, the executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the president of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa  Pilipinas, president of the Philippine Association of National Advertisers, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Information Agency, chairperson of the Movie, Television Review and Classification Board and a representative of the National Telecommunications Commission.

The advisory committee assists the NCCT in the formulation of policies pertaining to children’s broadcast programs, and in the monitoring and implementation of these policies.