Gatchalian seeks to pause, change rules on video and online gaming

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is now pushing for a bill that would help curb video game addiction especially among minors in the Philippines.

Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill No. 1063 or the Video and Online Games and Outdoor Media Regulation Act, which will expand the powers and functions of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include regulation of video and online games and provide the agency authority to regulate video and online games.

Gatchalian said it is imperative to uphold the safety and well-being of children amid their exposure to new technologies, by amending certain provisions in Presidential Decree No. 1986, the law that created the MTRCB.

“Habang patuloy na nagbabago at lumalawak ang paggamit natin sa teknolohiya, dapat din nating tiyakin na nabibigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon at paggabay ang ating mga kabataan, lalo na mula sa mga hindi magagandang impluwensya at epektong maaaring idulot ng mga teknolohiyang ito (As our use of technology continues to change and expand, we must also make sure that our young people are given adequate protection and guidance, especially from the negative influences and effects that these technologies can cause),” Gatchalian said in a statement.

He said a 2020 gaming statistics reveal that 43 million gamers drove the unprecedented rise in the Philippine gaming industry and across Southeast Asia, with 74 percent of the Philippine online gaming population playing on their mobile devices, 65 percent on PC games, and 45 percent playing on the classic console games.

Moreover, 43 million gamers in the country spent $572-million on games in 2019, making the Philippines the world’s 25th’s biggest market by game revenues, as well as a key driver of Southeast Asia’s overall games market during that time.

Aside from video and online games, Gatchalian’s bill also mandates the MTRCB to also regulate outdoor media, which includes advertising signs, Light Emitting Diode (LED) signs and billboards, ground signs, roof signs, and sign infrastructures.

In approving and disapproving the exhibition of video and online games, and outdoor media, he said the procedure that applies on a motion picture, television program, still and other pictorial advertisements shall apply.

On the other hand, the procedure on examination and review, as well as banning of media deemed unfit for consumption in the Philippines, will also apply to video and online games, and outdoor media.

Likewise, Senate Bill No. 1063 prohibits the sale or distribution of any video game that has been rated “Adults Only” by the MTRCB.

Under the bill, it would be unlawful for a minor to buy or receive games rated “Adults Only,” and use false evidence of age to obtain copies of these video games.

The bill also provides that the packaging of any video game and any printed or digital publicity material that is sold and distributed in the Philippines must display its rating in an easily viewable, legible manner, on the front side in the style and manner prescribed by the Board.

The proposed law also seeks to ensure that digital copies of the games display the rating label on the menu screen.