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| (Image Source: Facebook/National Council For Children's Television) |
The National Council for Children's Television (NCCT) has successfully staged the Philippine Conference On Children & Media (PCCM) 2026 last October 25-28, 2026 at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City, under the theme “Building A Safe, Dynamic, And Child-Friendly Media Environment”, alongside the global celebration of Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week and its call to action, “We All Play A Part – Media And Information Literacy For The People”. Commemorated every year on October 24-31, the Global Media and Information Literacy Week is a major occasion for mobilizing worldwide stakeholders to raise awareness, increase national take-up, and celebrate the progress achieved towards Media and Information Literacy for all.
A Call For Stronger Media Literacy, Information Integrity, And Child Protection
Day 1 of the conference focused on four (4) key areas shaping the Filipino children’s media environment: expanding equitable access to information and bridging the digital divide, safeguarding information integrity by building media literacy and combating misinformation, navigating AI and digital transformation to maximize educational benefits while protecting child privacy, and driving partnerships and cross-cutting cooperation across government, tech, media, and civil society to build strong protective frameworks. The event was officially opened by NCCT Chairperson and Council Member representing the Child Development Specialists Sector Dr. Luis P. Gatmaitan, followed by a keynote address from Assistant Secretary Patricia Martin of the Presidential Communications Office’s Maging Mapanuri Program. Subsequent sessions brought together representatives from government, child-rights institutions, media and information literacy organizations, and private institutions. In addition to the plenary sessions, the conference featured parallel activities advancing media and information literacy among learners and educators. These included the 5th National MIL Quiz Bee, the National Competition for MIL-Harmonized Lesson Plan, and the Makabatang Midya Caravan. These activities complemented the conference’s broader objective of promoting media literacy, child protection, and developmentally appropriate content while encouraging collaboration among institutions working toward better media experiences for children.
Strengthening Children's Media Policy, Research, And Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
Strengthening policies, improving inter-agency coordination, and advancing research were key areas of focus on Day 2 which centered on the role of the Comprehensive Media Program for Children (CMPC) in policymaking, the state of children’s media in the Philippines, and opportunities to strengthen the NCCT’s mandate and institutional capacity. The morning sessions examined the children’s media policy landscape including child protection concerns, governance challenges, and the implementation of inter-agency policies and programs. Representatives from government, non-government, and civil society organizations discussed institutional mandates, implementation realities, and coordination gaps in protecting children across media and digital platforms. The program also featured a presentation on the key features of a proposed bill on children and media along with an advocacy response from the Children and Media Compact. These discussions provided a venue for stakeholders to consider shared policy priorities and approaches to strengthening child protection in the media environment. In the afternoon, the National Research Forum on Children and Media 2026 connected policy discussions with research evidence on children’s media experiences, digital engagement, and child-friendly media practices. Researchers and education practitioners presented studies on Generation Alpha’s social media engagement and parental safety practices, digital media literacy and child protection awareness among senior high school learners, children’s media and information literacy, inclusive classroom experiences, the production of short-form and vertical video news content, and the use of digital applications to improve hygiene awareness and handwashing practices among learners. The presentations were organized around research themes addressing children’s media preferences and representation, media literacy and digital engagement, gaps and standards in children’s media, sustainable media production ecosystems, and innovations for advancing child-friendly media. Roundtable discussions and open forums allowed participants to exchange perspectives on the studies and their implications for policy and practice. The day concluded with a multi-sectoral policy and research dialogue, followed by a synthesis of discussions and ways forward. The exchange underscored the importance of connecting research, policy development, and multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing the evolving needs and experiences of Filipino children in the media environment.
Spotlighting The Philippine Children's Content Industry, Honoring Child-Friendly Media Champions
The role of the creative industries in shaping a safer, more inclusive, and child-friendly media environment was on the spotlight on its third day which focused on strengthening the Philippine children’s media industry, fostering international collaboration, and promoting quality television content that supports children’s rights, learning, and development. The morning sessions explored the Philippine creative industries and the importance of protecting children in an evolving media landscape. Keynote presentations and discussions examined opportunities for the children’s media sector including international experiences and approaches to developing content that responds to children’s needs. Philippines Creative Industries Council Secretariat Deputy Executive Director Paolo Federico Ramos delivered the keynote presentation on the Philippine creative industries while Joanna Camille R. Jacinto-Lizardo of the Council for the Welfare of Children also addressed children’s rights and protection in a shifting media landscape. The Glocal Convergence sessions brought together international and Philippine stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the children’s media industry. International speakers included Colin Ward of the Children’s Media Foundation, Jenny Buckland of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, and Yu An Lu, a children’s media advocate from Taiwan. The discussion on the Philippine children’s content and media industry also convened representatives from the NCCT, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS), and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The exchange provided a platform to discuss opportunities for collaboration and the development of locally relevant, high-quality content for Filipino children. The afternoon session of Day 3 culminated in the inaugural Child-Friendly Content Awards (CFCA), marking the launch of the National Council for Children’s Television’s (NCCT) annual recognition program for excellence in child-friendly television content, advocacy, and media practice. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Gatmaitan underscored the importance of collaboration among government agencies, legislators, broadcasters, content creators, educators, and child advocates in promoting children’s rights and well-being through quality media content. He emphasized that creating a safe, empowering, and child-friendly media environment requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders. Messages of support were likewise delivered by partner organizations and legislators, reaffirming their shared advocacy for child-friendly programming and responsible media engagement for Filipino children. A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the revised Child-Friendly Content Standards (CFCS) and Television Violence Rating Code (TV-VRC), followed by the ceremonial turnover of the documents to stakeholders and members of the NCCT Advisory Committee. The revised frameworks aim to further strengthen standards for child-sensitive and developmentally appropriate content across media platforms. Delivering the inspirational message, psychologist and National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV) CY 2024 Technical Working Group (TWG) member Joanne Trina Moreno-Javier emphasized the crucial role of media in nurturing children’s character, values, resilience, and lifelong learning. The conference also featured the launch of four television programs funded under the National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV). Anchored on the theme “Karakter, Karunungan, At Kasanayan Sa Buhay”, the projects include WOW by Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc., Teen Journeys by LoveLife Project for Health & Environment Inc., PASTPort Adventures by Probe Productions Inc., and Planet XP by GMA Network Inc. These programs seek to provide Filipino children with engaging content that promotes character formation, knowledge-building, and essential life skills. As the centerpiece of the afternoon program, the NCCT honored 14 Pioneers of Children’s Television, including posthumous honorees, in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of child-friendly and educational broadcasting in the Philippines. Four individuals were likewise recognized as Child-Friendly Television (CFTV) Champions for their advocacy and support for child-sensitive media. The NCCT also recognized exemplary Child-Friendly Television Advertisements, Child-Friendly Television Programs, and Child-Friendly Broadcast Television Networks (BTNs) that demonstrated excellence in producing and airing educational, values-oriented, and developmentally appropriate content for Filipino children. To conclude the ceremony, NCCT OICE Maria Jowelyne A. Abendan led the Pledge of Commitment, reaffirming the shared responsibility of stakeholders to advance children’s rights and welfare through quality media. In her closing remarks, NCCT Council Member Sally M. Lopez, representing the Broadcast Media Sector, emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among government, industry, and civil society in building a safe, dynamic, and child-friendly media environment for every Filipino child.
The Rise Of Children And Media Compact, A Call For Collective Action For Filipino Children
From advancing media literacy and child protection to strengthening policy, research, and children’s content production, PCCM 2026 concluded its four (4)-day gathering with a call to turn shared commitments into sustained action for a safer, more dynamic, and child-friendly media environment for every Filipino child. The conference culminated in the formal launch of the NCCT Children and Media Compact, marking a key step toward strengthening collaboration among government agencies, media organizations, educators, researchers, civil society, and the creative industry in advancing children’s rights and welfare in the media environment. The final day centered on the role of sustained partnerships in carrying forward the discussions and initiatives developed throughout the conference. The launch of the Children and Media Compact presented a shared platform for engagement among partner agencies and organizations with the program recognizing advocacy, policy, learning, and creative partners whose respective roles contribute to a child-friendly media ecosystem. A key highlight of the culminating program was the Grants Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing for the Special Grants Fund (SGF) CY 2026, recognizing the grantees and their respective projects under the theme “Stories On Values: Stories that teach lessons in character and good conduct through everyday situations”. The five grant-supported projects are designed to use storytelling and children’s content to convey values, encourage positive behavior, and provide meaningful viewing experiences for young audiences. The grantees and their projects are Ready, Set, Roll! By Dr. Katrina Marie O. Hernandez, Animal Code by GMA Network Inc. – Public Affairs, Planet XP by GMA Network Inc. – Entertainment, Hiwaga Hunters by Meryl Chan, and Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang by Nelson A. Caliguia Jr. The MOA signing underscored the role of the Special Grants Fund in supporting the development of children’s television content that promotes character formation and good conduct through relatable stories and everyday situations. It also reinforced the importance of investing in creative projects that can contribute to a more meaningful and child-friendly media environment for Filipino children. Across its four (4) days, PCCM 2026 addressed interconnected priorities in children’s media. Discussions explored media literacy and information integrity; the state of children’s media and the need for responsive policies; research on children’s digital engagement, representation, and media experiences; and the role of the creative industry in producing meaningful, developmentally appropriate content. The conference also featured the presentation of the Revised Child-Friendly Content Standards (CFCS), the Television Violence Rating Code (TV-VRC), the launch of National Endowment Fund for Children’s Television (NEFCTV)-funded programs, and recognition of contributions to child-friendly television. Together, these discussions and initiatives highlighted the need to connect evidence, policy, industry practice, and public advocacy. A child-friendly media environment cannot be achieved by one institution or sector alone. It calls for coordinated action among those who develop policies, produce content, educate audiences, protect children’s rights, and create opportunities for children to participate meaningfully in the media. As PCCM 2026 came to a close, the Children and Media Compact stood as a forward-looking expression of the conference’s central message: building better media for children is a shared responsibility — and the work must continue beyond the conference.
Through PCCM 2026, the NCCT continues to advance conversations and collaboration that place children’s education, protection, development, participation, and empowerment at the center of the media environment. Through continued partnerships and concrete commitments, the NCCT and its stakeholders aim to help shape a media environment where Filipino children are protected from harm, represented with dignity, empowered with knowledge, and supported in their learning and development.
