SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized that the National Council for Children’s Television must remain committed to its core mandate of promoting high-quality, educational television content for Filipino children.

This statement followed the NCCT’s recent unveiling of new child-friendly television programs.

As part of his advocacy, Gatchalian had earlier filed a resolution to conduct a comprehensive review of the NCCT’s mandate.

The NCCT operates under the Department of Education.

“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,” 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 noted that, especially in an era when children are increasingly engaged with online platforms, the NCCT has failed to maximize the use of the National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV). This fund was established to promote the development of high-quality, locally produced programs for children’s television and media.

The COA further highlighted that the NCCT lacks comprehensive investment, withdrawal, and usage policy guidelines, which are crucial to ensuring the effective, efficient, and sustainable management of the fund.

According to Gatchalian, this oversight could undermine the ongoing provision of developmentally appropriate television programs for children, in line with the NCCT’s mandate.

The COA had recommended that the NCCT take immediate action to optimize the use of the NEFCTV. However, in the 2022 COA report, it reiterated its concerns, noting that the NCCT had failed to implement previous recommendations.

Established under the Children’s Television Act of 1997, the NCCT was tasked with promoting and encouraging the production and broadcasting of developmentally appropriate television programs for children.

Although originally attached to the Office of the President, Executive Order No. 23, series of 2003, transferred the agency’s supervision to the DepEd.

Gatchalian also pointed out that despite being an attached agency of DepEd, the NCCT is not designated as a member of either the NCCT Council or its Advisory Committee.