Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking a comprehensive review of the National Council for Children’s Television's (NCCT) mandate in promoting high-quality, educational television content tailored for Filipino children.

The senator said this even as NCCT recently unveiled new child-friendly television programs. He previously filed a resolution (Senate Resolution No. 1047) seeking for the review. 

The NCCT operates under the supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd).

“Sa panahong laging nakatutok ang mga bata sa kanilang mga gadget, mahalagang magkaroon sila ng alternatibong pagkakalibangan habang natututo, tulad ng panonood ng mga makabuluhang palabas sa telebisyon (In an age where children are constantly focused on their gadgets, it's important for them to have alternative forms of entertainment while learning, such as watching meaningful television shows),” Gatchalian said.

“The NCCT has not created and delivered any new children’s television programs for three years, from 2018 to 2020,” Gatchalian added, citing the 2021 Commission on Audit (COA) report. 

He also pointed out that, in an era when children are increasingly engaged with online platforms, the NCCT has failed to fully utilize the National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV), which was established to promote the development of high-quality, locally produced programs for children’s television and media.

The COA also noted that the NCCT lacks comprehensive investment, withdrawal, and usage policy guidelines to ensure the effective, efficient, and sustainable administration of the fund. According to Gatchalian, this could jeopardize the continuous provision of developmentally appropriate television programs for children in compliance with the NCCT mandate.

The COA had recommended that the NCCT take steps to maximize the use of the NEFCTV. However, in the commission’s 2022 report, it reiterated its comments, citing the NCCT’s failure to act on prior recommendations.

The NCCT was formed under the Children’s Television Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8370) to promote and encourage the production and broadcasting of developmentally appropriate television programs for children. While the NCCT was originally attached to the Office of the President, Executive Order No. 23 series of 2003 transferred the supervision of the agency to the DepEd.

Gatchalian also flagged that even though the NCCT is an attached agency of the DepEd, it is not designated as a member of the NCCT Council or its Advisory Committee.