Senator Win Gatchalian has filed a bill seeking to abolish the Optical Media Board (OMB), saying the agency is no longer relevant in today’s digital age.

The chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Gatchalian, contends the OMB’s focus on CDs and DVDs is no longer relevant. “Designed for a disc-based piracy economy, the OMB is no longer the optimal agency to address the challenges of a digital age,” Gatchalian said.  

“Sa halip na panatilihin ang isang ahensyang ang mandato ay hindi na umaayon sa kasalukuyang panahon, mas mainam nang maglaan ng pondo sa mga ahensyang may kakayahang tumugon sa mga hamon ng makabagong teknolohiya at ng digital na ekonomiya,” he added, stressing that this will promote a more efficient use of government funds.

The proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 1654, also seeks to transfer the OMB’s powers, functions, and resources to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), and to absorb the employees of the Secretariat of the abolished OMB without diminution of their salaries and other benefits.

Transferring the OMB’s functions to IPOPHL would streamline IP enforcement, shift the focus to digital piracy, and strengthen enforcement using IPOPHL’s existing authority. 

Photo by Mark Cayabyab / OS GATCHALIAN