Television and radio stations should devote 20 minutes of airtime daily for Public Service Announcements on social issues such as drug abuse and prevention and emergency preparedness which affect their lives.
In House Bill 7981, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of the Second District said the media should help in educating the public on welfare rights and benefits, environmental issues, education, suicide prevention and voter and civic education.
Through the PSAs, the public will be made aware of policies and laws, road and traffic rules, physical and mental health issues, government processes, disaster preparedness and public safety, Barbers said.
“Public service announcements are effective in generating public awareness on critical issues as well as promote behavioral change,” said Barbers, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
“If done correctly, PSAs may foster an informed discourse among community members on societal problems,” he said.
Barbers said laws that grant broadcasting companies the franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations in the mandate to allot time for public service.
“The problem is the franchises given to the media companies do not stipulate a preset number of hours, and the truth is, these companies seldom comply with the provision,” Barbers said.
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” he added.
Under the measure, a 30-second PSA shall be aired before the primetime news of all television and radio stations.
Barbers said the PSAs shall be non-commercial, non-denominational, and non-political and may be changed every six months to cover a wide array of social issues.