Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Lopez Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), who chairs the House Special Committee on Creative Industries, underscored the vital role of local government units (LGUs) and the creative sector in advancing responsible viewership and national development.
His remarks were delivered during the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board’s (MTRCB) 40th Founding Anniversary celebration at the Solaire Resort North in Quezon City on Wednesday, Oct. 15, a press release said.
Drawing from his experience as the former mayor of Victorias City, Benitez shared concrete examples of how partnerships between LGUs and the MTRCB have achieved measurable social impact.
He cited the 2023 Responsableng Panonood Seminar in Victorias, which successfully gathered nearly 200 parents, teachers, and community leaders. This was followed by a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024 that formalized the city’s collaboration with the Board.
“Local schools have reported fewer incidents of bullying and aggression among children,” Benitez said, emphasizing that media literacy programs help shape empathy and responsible behavior among the youth.
“The partnership between the MTRCB and LGUs is a model for building a creative economy grounded in innovation and integrity,” he added.
As committee chair, he highlighted the creative sector’s growing contribution, noting that it currently accounts for 7.3 percent of the country’s GDP and provides over six million jobs nationwide. He underscored its immense potential to drive inclusive growth.
“As we champion creative freedom, we must also recognize that representation matters,” he said.
He encouraged the MTRCB to remain open to LGBTQ+ themes and narratives, noting that stories once deemed taboo now play an essential role in portraying the truth and diversity of the Filipino experience.
He acknowledged the need to balance such openness with the boundaries set by Presidential Decree No. 1986, the agency’s founding law.
Benitez lauded the Board for “four decades of integrity, responsibility, and service to the Filipino viewing public,” praising its transformation from a censoring body into a strong advocate for media literacy and creative empowerment under the leadership of Chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio.
“Tonight, we celebrate an institution that has embodied this constitutional promise, not just as a regulatory body, but as an educator and protector of Filipino families,” he said.
The milestone celebration, themed “40 Years of Integrity,” gathered government officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders from the film and television sectors to honor the Board’s continuing commitment to responsible media and the creative industry, the press release said.*