Paranaque, MTRCB ink accord to promote responsible viewership

The City of Parañaque has officially become the first local government partner of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in its renewed drive to promote responsible TV and movie viewership particularly among children and young audiences in the country.

PARTNERS FOR RESPONSIBLE VIEWING. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has chosen Parañaque City as its first local government partner in promoting responsible TV and movie viewing especially among children and young people. Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez (seated, center) and MTRCB Chairman Eugenio Villareal (seated, 3rd from left) are shown signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the MTRCB during simple ceremonies held at the Parañaque City Hall. Also in photo are Vice Mayor Rico Golez (seated, 2nd from left) and Parañaque City 1st District Rep. Eric Olivarez (seated, extreme right), as well as other officers of both the city government and the MTRCB.

Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez and MTRCB Chairman Eugenio Villareal signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the details of the partnership that includes, among others, development and cooperative activities to promote awareness about TV and movie classification ratings, film and media literacy, and audience empowerment.

“It is a great honor for the City of Parañaque to be chosen as the first LGU partner of the MTRCB in our mutual desire not only to protect our children and other vulnerable sectors, but also to raise awareness about the big influence that movies and television play in nation-building and economic development,” Mayor Olivarez said during the MOU signing ceremony held at the Parañaque City Hall last October 17.

“We in government must always be aware of our responsibility to shield our citizens from all forms of negative influences, and this partnership should help us promote and protect the physical and social well-being of our constituents, especially children and the youth,” the mayor added.

For his part, MTRCB Chairman Villareal said that, indeed, movies and television play a big part in the development of children, whom he said usually imitate what they see and hear on TV.

“Even our teenagers always look for role models, which is why we must be careful about what might influence them in the (entertainment) media,” he said.

The signing ceremony was attended by other MTRCB board members led by actresses Gladys Reyes and Jackie Aquino together with Eric Mallonga, Maria Gabriela Concepcion, Cecilia Nubla, Jose Antonio Veloso and Jay Revestir.

After the MOU signing, the MTRCB conducted a media education seminar called “Matalinong Panonood Para sa Pamilya nina Juan at Juana” for city hall officials and employees in attendance.

The seminar discussed the Board’s revised television and movie ratings followed by a workshop led by Ms. Gladys Reyes.