(Photo courtesy: Society of Live Musicians of the Philippines (SoLiMoP) Facebook page)
MANILA, (PIA) — A recent survey by the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) revealed that more than half of Filipinos employed in the music industry earn below the minimum wage implemented in the National Capital Region.
The DOST-NRCP nationwide survey, which included 700 respondents from various music professions, businesses, and affiliations, revealed that workers in the music industry earn less than P20,000 ($380 USD) a month, barely exceeding the minimum wage in Metro Manila. The new daily minimum wage in the capital region ranges from P573 to P610 across its sectors.
It found that 61.1 percent of those working in music creation, production, distribution, and consumption hold college degrees, with a majority being freelance artists.
“Local artists would always have to go through what we normally identify as ‘sariling sikap’ (self-reliance),” said Maria Alexandra Chua, project leader of the DOST-NRCP funded “Musika Pilipinas” project. “That is, without any government intervention and support in music training, marketing, and promotiona.”
The survey also highlighted the significant role music plays in Filipino life, with Filipinos averaging 126 minutes, or over two hours, of daily listening time – the highest globally.
Despite the Philippines having a Creative Industries Development Act, music lacks its own dedicated sector within the Council.
It is currently grouped under performing arts and audiovisuals. This, according to the research, leads to a lack of representation for the music industry in policy discussions and hinders efforts to quantify its economic contribution.
Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows the country’s creative industries grew from P1.61 trillion (US$30.8 billion) in 2022 to P1.72 trillion (US$32.7) in 2023.
However, the music sector’s contribution remains relatively small at 8.8 percent, amounting to P18.1 billion (US$343 million).
Chua emphasized the need for a centralized music coordinating council to address industry concerns, develop strategic plans, and tackle challenges faced by stakeholders.
Additionally, she highlighted the importance of protecting the intellectual property rights of Filipino artists.
“The Philippine music industry should be understood as those Filipino and non-Filipino individuals, groups, institutions, companies, and other stakeholders who engage in the entire process of music creation, production, distribution, and consumption within the Philippines,” Chua explained.
“Anyone creating, producing, reproducing, distributing, or consuming music within the Philippines, or producing music while representing the Philippines and whose activities benefit the Philippine economy, are part of the music industry of this country.” (PIA-NCR)
