Twenty-six lawmakers have sought the creation of the Music Development Council of the Philippines to promote the country’s artistic and cultural heritage and protect the rights of the artists in the local musical industry.
Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia led the filing of House Bill No. 7563 or the proposed Philippine Music Industry Act of 2020 to ensure the development of the country’s music industry and promote its participation in both local and international markets.
“During these turbulent times, we have seen how Filipino music and musical artists have been instrumental to our survival,” the lawmakers said in their bill’s explanatory note.
“Pursuant to the Philippine state policy to promote and develop the music industry and to safeguard the rights and welfare of artists and its other stakeholders, and the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression and mandate to protect and promote the country’s artistic and cultural wealth, this bill seeks to create the Music Development Council of the Philippines to help pump-prime its contributions to our cultural landscape, nation-building, and to our economy,” they said.
Joining De Venecia in filing the bill are Deputy Speakers Loren Legarda, Evelina Escudero, Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Vilma Santos-Recto and Reps. Sharon Garin, Manuel Sagarbarria, Victor Yap, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ann Hofer, Strike Revilla, Rosanna Veragara, Cristal Bagatsing, Roman Romulo, Weslie Gatchalian, Sol Aragones, Krsitine Singson-Meehan, Marlyn Alonte, Juan Miguel Arroyo, Camille VIllar, Francisco Benitez, Alfred Vargas, Edward Maceda, Jose Atienza, and Lianda Bolilia.
Under HB No. 7563, the 12-man Council is tasked to craft and spearhead the implementation of a National Music Industry Development Plan and work for its adoption and implementation.
It is also expected to develop and promote programs to enhance the talents and skills of artists and various stakeholders such as not but not limited to music theory, composition, sound production, and engineering, as well as financial literacy and business and marketing capability of Filipino artists.
The Council is also required to work alongside the Department of Education (DepEd) in improving the state and quality of music education in the Philippines as part of MAPEH (Music, Art, Physical Education, and Health) in the K-to-12 system.
The bill provides that the Council shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary at the call of the Chairperson or a majority of the members of the Council.
HB No. 7563 provides that all radio and television stations that have programs with a musical format shall broadcast a minimum of four original Filipino musical compositions in every clock hour of a program with a musical format or shall cumulatively broadcast original Filipino musical compositions for at least 20 percent of the total number of minutes dedicated to programs with a musical format per day, which ever is applicable.