NTC monitors radio stations for compliance with EO 255

MANILA, Philippines - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued a memorandum to all its regional offices requiring them to monitor radio stations to ensure compliance with a recent presidential directive that at least four original Filipino songs be played every hour.

President Aquino has directed the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the NTC to strictly implement Executive Order 255 issued in 1987 that required all radio stations with musical format programs to broadcast a minimum of four original Pilipino music (OPM) songs every hour.

The NTC said it issued the order yesterday to further implement the EO requiring radio stations to air OPM songs.

The NTC also sent a letter to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) yesterday reiterating the need to emphasize Filipino songs and compositions.

Mr. Aquino earlier tasked the Presidential Management Staff to remind the DOTC and the NTC about the forgotten EO, issued by his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

A music buff himself, Mr. Aquino wanted to have the EO enforced as soon as possible and hear OPM songs aired often.

The President made the directive in response to the request of Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mangaawit president Ogie Alcasid, whose new set of officers earlier took oath in Malacañang.

Mr. Aquino said his administration would support the protection of the intellectual property rights (IPR) of musicians, which contributed 4.25 percent to the gross domestic product.