THE joint hearing of the House Committee on Public Information, chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan, and the Committee on Government Reorganization, chaired by Bulacan Rep. Salvador Pleyto, on Monday approved a substitute bill seeking to abolish the Optical Media Board (OMB)
The substitute measure consolidated House Bills 8686, 8797, 8858, and 9083. It would repeal Republic Act 9239, also known as the “Optical Media Act of 2003,” once enacted into law.
Bulacan Rep. Agatha Paula Cruz, who presided over the joint hearing, said the proposal aims to streamline bureaucracy while ensuring effective and responsive governance.
“Before us this afternoon are four measures proposing for the abolition of the Optical Media Board, legislative proposals that recognize the need to streamline bureaucracy while ensuring that governance remains effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people,” she said.
Cruz said the OMB played a key role in protecting intellectual property rights during the height of piracy involving CDs, DVDs, and other optical media.
The lawmaker pointed out, however, that technology “has fundamentally transformed the way content is created, distributed, and consumed.”
She added that while optical disks have become less relevant, the need to protect intellectual property rights remains critical as piracy continues to evolve in the digital space.
Under the measure, the relevant powers and functions of the OMB shall be transferred to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL).
The substitute bill consolidated the measures filed by Suan, Pleyto, Valenzuela City Rep. Kenneth Gatchalian, and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
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