President Rodrigo Duterte signed a proclamation declaring the month of October of every year as “National Anti-Piracy Month.”
Proclamation No. 596, signed by Duterte on Monday, underscored the need to raise the consciousness of the masses on piracy.
“There is a need to continuously elevate the awareness of the public regarding piracy or counterfeiting of optical, magnetic and such other emerging similar media, and its adverse effects on the economy,” the proclamation said.
Also, according to the new proclamation released on Wednesday, all government agencies and instrumentalities, including state universities and colleges, as well as local government units, are enjoined to support the programs and activities of the Optical Media Board.
The OMB, the President’s arm on recording media production and distribution, aims to increase public awareness on all forms of media piracy or counterfeiting.
Duterte has amended the previous Proclamation No. 448 ordered by then-President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003, declaring the month of October of every year as “National Anti-Video Piracy Month.”
Meanwhile, Duterte, through Proclamation No. 595, has also declared September 26 of every year as “World Environment Health Day” in the Philippines.
“The Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health, through its lead agencies, the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall promote the observance of the World Environmental Health Day in the Philippines, as well as determine the theme and identify the programs, projects, and activities for the yearly celebration thereof,” the proclamation read.
It also directed all other agencies under the government and encouraged private sectors to cooperate in the advocacy.
Both proclamations were released by the Palace on Wednesday.