CinemaBravo

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) organized the Responsableng Panonood Family and Media Summit on June 27 to empower Filipino families in making informed choices about media consumption.

The summit, held in Quezon City, welcomed esteemed guests including Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Carleen Sedilla, Safe Schools Chairperson Dr. Arlene Escalante, and representatives from the National Council for Children’s Television chaired by Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, along with Presidential Communications Office Director III-STRATCOM, Sheryll Mundo.

Aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s commitment to enhance media and information literacy nationwide, the event aimed to equip families with tools to navigate today’s rapidly evolving media landscape.

“In this digital era, media evolves rapidly. As both MTRCB Chair and a mother, I understand the challenges of guiding our children,” remarked MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto-Antonio in her opening speech.

“It’s crucial to empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge needed to guide the younger generation in consuming media responsibly,” she emphasized.

Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored the importance of adult responsibility in the digital age: “This dialogue on responsible media consumption is pivotal. By empowering adults with knowledge, we can be more discerning about what content our children are exposed to.”

Award-winning broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas stressed the need for moderation and content management: “Balancing screen time with physical activities is crucial. The type and quality of content our children consume have a significant impact.”

MTRCB Chair Sotto-Antonio highlighted the central role of the Responsableng Panonood campaign: “At its core, Responsableng Panonood centers around the Filipino family. As the fundamental unit of society, homes are where children first learn about the world. Therefore, it’s essential for parents and guardians to actively manage their media exposure.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Chair of the National Council for Children’s Television, discussed efforts to create a child-friendly TV environment in the country.

Launched in 2023, the Responsableng Panonood campaign emphasizes the crucial role of Filipino families in shaping media habits and aims to provide tools for managing screen time and selecting quality content.

Experts at the family and media summit shared insights and strategies for promoting positive and suitable media content for children.