Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian wants to bring not only television programs and movies under the jurisdiction of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) — but also video games, billboards, LED signs, etc.
This is exactly what the senator is promoting now in his Senate Bill 1063, something called the Video and Online Games and Outdoor Media Regulation Act. It plans to amend Presidential Decree No. 1986 to work in 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,” said Gatchalian.
If enacted, the MTRCB will give the following ratings to video games:
- “G” or For General Patronage (can be of all ages)
“P” or Parental Guidance Suggested
“R” or Restricted (for adults only)
“X” or Not for Public Viewing
He said it appeared in gaming statistics in 2020 that 43 million gamers grew such an industry in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The aforementioned is said to have spent over $572 in 2019.
Gatchalian wants MTRCB to regulate online, video games
According to the senator, the Philippines is now considered the 25th largest market for video game revenues. It is also said to have made the largest contribution to the games market of Southeast Asia in that year.
Gatchalian’s SB 1063 also aims to “ban” the sales of any video game rated “Adults Only” from the MTRCB. Minors will also be prohibited from purchasing and receiving games with such a rating.
The use of any fake evidence of age to purchase such games will also be prohibited. The rating should also be clear on the packaging of any video game and any printed or digital publicity material that will be used in the Philippines.
Aside from games, Gatchalian also now recommends that outdoor media, including advertising signs, Light Emitting Diode (LED) signs and billboards, ground signs, roof signs, and sign infrastructures, be brought under the MTRCB.
Currently, there are rating systems for video games through the ESRB (Canada and the United States), PEGI (for the European Union except for Germany and Russia), etc.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.