SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian filed a bill that seeks to expand the power and functions of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board to include regulation of video and online games.

Senate Bill 1063 or the Video and Online Games and Outdoor Media Regulation Act will amend Presidential Decree No. 1986 that created the MTRCB. The senator said his measure will provide better protection to children.

“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,” Gatchalian said.

The bill prohibits the sale or distribution of any video game that has been rated “Adults Only” by the Board. It will also 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.

Also, the packaging of any video game and any printed or digital publicity material sold and distributed in the Philippines must display its rating in an easily viewable, legible manner. Digital copies of games, on the other hand, must display the rating label on the menu screen.

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

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

Gatchalian also proposed that the MTRCB also regulate outdoor media, which includes advertising signs, Light Emitting Diode signs and billboards, ground signs, roof signs, and sign infrastructures.