SOMETIMES, you do not have to resort to drastic measures, controversies and unnecessary conflict to get the support of industry stakeholders and the public. This has time and again been proven by Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairman Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who has remained one of President Benigno Aquino 3rd’s most laudable appointees.

In their continuing quest toward self-regulation, the MTRCB last week began the implementation of the new Strong Parental Guidance rating, or SPG, pursuant to Memorandum Circular 12 2011 to help parents further guide the watching habits of their younger children.

Llamanzares said the new SPG rating was conceived to balance the interest of the state to protect and promote the development and welfare of the youth, with the interest of the broadcast industry to freedom of expression, in relation to the self-regulatory schemes undertaken by the different networks.

The rationale behind the new rating was simple says Poe-Llamanzares, “If you notice almost every show on TV has carried the PG rating, however, the shows differ in intensity.

“May mga ibang shows na Parental Guidance pero very mild, so yung sinasabi nating intermediate PG, yung medyo violent ng kaunti, yun ang SPG.”

Programs classified SPG, may contain more serious topic and theme (such as violence, drugs, language, sex or horror), which may not be advisable for children to watch, except under the very vigilant guidance and presence of a parent or adult.

Currently, cartoons like Spongebob Squarepants, as well as action movies, and violent sports such as mixed martial arts all merit the same PG rating.

The MTRCB said this new rating serves as a challenge for the networks to prove that they are looking after the welfare of their viewers by being fully aware of the content of their programs.

“We believe that adults can basically decide for themselves what is right or wrong, but the truth is almost a third of our population is composed of young people; and since TV remains as the most prevalent form of media, we have to be extra cautious of what they are watching,” Poe explained.

“With this new classification, we are encouraging the network producers to know the full content of their programs because they will have to specify exactly what [it is] in their content warrants an SPG rating. They cannot just slap an SPG without indicating if it is the violence for example the sex or language that made it such.”

Poe, however, quickly clarified that programs classified as SPG are not worth watching, she also added programs rated SPG will not be assigned a specific time slots.

“Marami diyan intense, kaya nagiging SPG, but they have literary values or redemption values, and are better suited to mature audiences.

“The SPG should serve as an additional warning to the parents about the content of the TV program. This alerts them to become more vigilant and if possible accompany their children so they could properly guide and explain things to them. Let us remember that ang tamang gabay ay naguumpisa sa bahay,” the MTRCB chairman elaborated.

Last week, top executives of all the major TV networks signed a memorandum of understanding to show that they support the new rating and express their commitment in airing the new MTRCB commercial.

Llamanzares thanked the network executives saying the MTRCB greatly appreciate their commitment to air the commercial.

“Nagpapasalamat kami dahil sila [networks] mismo ang nag-donate ng kanilang airtime.

“Although puwede kaming magkaroon ng regulation to force them to show the infomercial we don’t want that, kasi we’re trying to awaken the spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the country,” she explained. “Sa amin lang, sana they can show it often especially during the first few weeks.”

Unlike, most government commercials that prominently feature the head the agency, the MTRCB chose Carmina Villaroel, Zoren Legaspi and their two children to be the endorsers of the infomercial.

“We chose them because their family is so pleasant to look at, and if you look at the parents, even if Carmina and Zoren are very busy, they still make it a point to spend time with their children. It only shows that in a dual income household, you can still monitor the upbringing of your children.”

Llamanzares then thanked the family for agreeing to do the commercial for free and awarded plaques of appreciation to everyone involved in the project.