Bill mandates playing of Pinoy music in inbound int’l flights, hotels, resorts

The House of Representatives has approved the third and final reading of a bill mandating the playing of Pinoy music in hotels, resorts, restaurants, tourist buses, and all inbound international flights to the Philippines.

The House Bill No. 10305 is the policy of the State to promote Philippine music pursuant to Article II, Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which states that the State “shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.”

With the foregoing policy, it is hereby mandated that 50% of the playlist of inbound international flights and tourists buses must be local songs, whereas hotels, resorts, and restaurants must have at least 25% of Filipino music on their playlist.

The measure imposes fines on violators: Airline companies failing to play the required music as their aircraft lands in the country will pay PHP 300,000USD 5,112INR 433,380EUR 4,869CNY 37,230 fine, while bus operators will pay PHP 50,000USD 852INR 72,230EUR 812CNY 6,205 for every offense. However, the fine for hotels, restaurants, and resorts is PHP 20,000USD 341INR 28,892EUR 325CNY 2,482 for every offense.

For purposes of this Act, the term “Philippine music” (or Pinoy music) refers to a composition, whether purely instrumental or with lyrics, which has been originally composed, written, arranged, performed, or played by Filipinos. Moreover, songs that were originally composed and written by Filipinos, regardless of whether the lyrics thereof are in Filipino, English, or in any Philippine regional language or dialect, shall be considered as Philippine music.

The bill tasks the Department of Tourism (DOT) to promulgate necessary rules and regulations 60 days from the effectivity of this Act.

Further, the bill will be sent to the Senate for its approval.

Source: Congress.gov.ph