The AKO Bicol Party-list in the House of Representatives is pushing for the establishment of a rating system for video games in the Philippines.
Through the party’s proposed Video Games Act of 2018, or House Bill 7909, introduced by Reps. Rodel M. Batocabe, Alfredo A. Garbin Jr. and Christopher S. Co, the proposal covers all video games for arcade machines, computers, and smartphones sold and distributed in the country.
Due to the classification of video-game addiction as a disorder by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its 11th International Classification of Diseases, the bill seeks to mitigate unforeseen issues caused by the extreme popularity of video games across all age groups.
The WHO characterized “gaming disorder” as the impairment of control over gaming, the increasing priority given to gaming, and continued or escalating gaming habits despite the occurrence of negative consequences.
“Uncontrolled gaming addiction definitely has a negative effect to children’s mental health, as was validated by the recent classification made by the WHO,” Batocabe said.
The bill expressed the need to ensure that video games do not cause harm and addiction, as well as regulate its availability to children to similar to the classification of movies and television shows.
“The extreme popularity of these video games, and the unregulated access to so many video games exposes our youth, especially very young children, to gaming addiction,” Batocabe said, adding that “as a parent, I understand the challenges in filtering what their children are exposed to.”
HB 7909 also mandates the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to establish and maintain a rating and classification system for all video games introduced to the Philippine market
Additionally, GAB will have additional functions, including: the promulgation of rules and regulations; the review and examination of all public materials of video games; the ability to approve or disapprove the importation, exportation, sale and distribution of video games’ public materials; the classification of video games into categories similar to the international rating systems; the ability to close gaming establishments; assessment and adjustment of rate of fees in exercising its functions; deputation of representatives from associations in the video game industry; prosecution of violators; prescription of internal and operational procedures of GAB; and the ability to exercise its functions as necessary to the objectives of the act.