Promote OPM, or face raps

Lawmakers are calling for the immediate imposition of sanctions on radio stations who are not promoting original Pilipino music.

Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro and Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez made the call as they asked the House of Representatives Committee on Information and Communication Technology to investigate the failure of some radio stations to promote original Pilipino music which they said is in violation of Executive Order 255.

The solons filed House Resolution No. 247 to check the reason behind the radio stations’ non-compliance of the law.

“Non-compliance of some radio stations with EO 255 puts the local music industry at a disadvantage,” they said.

“Even President Benigno Aquino has observed this non-compliance by radio stations,” they added. The President called for compliance when he inducted the officers of the Pilipino musicians group led by Ogie Alcasid in Malacanang.

The brothers defined OPM as any musical composition created by a Filipino.

The lawmakers urged the House panel to summon the National Telecommunications Commission, the broadcast, television and radio industry associations and the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit to shed light on the matter.

Rodriguez said EO 255 requires all radio stations with musical format programs to broadcast a minimum of four original Pilipino musical compositions in every clock hour.

EO 255 observed that radio stations with musical formats allot very limited playing time to original Pilipino music.

“To ensure the growth of the local music industry, the airplay of original Pilipino music in our stations must be increased,” the EO said.

Under Section 2 of the EO, any franchise holder or operator of a radio station that fails to broadcast the minimum number of original Pilipino musical compositions in every clock hour of a program with a musical format shall be fined P100 per violation.

The NTC may, after due hearing, suspend or cancel the Certificate of Registration and authority to operate any radio station in the event of repeated violations, the EO said.