P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions

President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to fully implement Executive Order No. 255 requiring all radio stations to play in the airwaves at least four original Filipino music every hour from hereon.



The President issued his directive during the oath taking of the officers of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM) at the Rizal hall of Malacañang on Friday afternoon.

“I am directing the head of the PMS to call up the DOTC and remind the NTC to fully implement the existing Executive Order as soon as possible,” the President said.

E.O No. 255 was issued in July 1987 by the President’s mother, the late President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino, requiring all Radio Stations with Musical Format Programs to Broadcast a Minimum of Four Original Pilipino Musical Compositions in Every Clockhour and for Other purposes.”

The directive was an immediate answer to the request of OPM president Ogie Alcasid who, in behalf of the industry, expressed support for the President’s sincere leadership to bring about change and social transformation through good governance, transparency and moral ascendancy.

Alcasid said Cory was the “great icon of democracy” while the President has emerged as “the new symbol of change and social transformation.”

Alcasid also requested the President’s support for the professional development of young musicians and artists including assistance for the sick and elderly members of the industry.

The President suggested to the OPM officers the possibility of putting up an organization much like the Movie Industry Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND) through the funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) or even the President’s Social Fund (PSF).

The President said his administration will also support the protection of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of musicians which he said contributes some 4.25 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The President thanked the music industry which, he said, has been at the forefront in promoting the country’s arts and culture and in uplifting the hopes and dreams of every Filipino.

“For a country that is developing like us that has so many problems, the arts for man’s sake really deserves all the support we can have,” the President said.

Aside from Alcasid, the President administered the oath of office of OPM chairman Mitch Valdez, OPM executive director Elmer Beltran Ingles, Gary Valenciano (VP for internal affairs), Noel Cabangon (VP for external affairs), Christian Bautista (VP for special projects), Jose Mari Chan (treasurer), Dingdong Avanzado (secretary) and ex-officio trustees Jim Paredes and Celeste Legaspi-Gallardo.

The officers, beefed up by Regine Velasquez and Jessa Zaragoza, later rendered the song “Kaya Natin,” which was composed in the aftermath of the massive flooding and devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy last year.

Established in October 1986, the OPM is the leading and most respected organization of Filipino professional singers in the country.

P-Noy calls for hourly broadcast of original Pilipino compositions