Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1985 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Media workers serve as frontliners in ensuring public information, promoting freedom 
of the press and expression, and upholding democracy. They contribute to shaping public 
discourse and act as watchdogs in government accountability issues that, at times, jeopardize 
their safety and security. Despite their significant role in our society and the nature of their 
work, media workers face a wide array of labor standards and protection issues in the country. 
These include contractualization, lack of security of tenure, and dangerous working conditions. 
Section 10, Article XVI of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The State shall provide 
the policy environment for the full development of Filipino capability and the emergence of 
communication structures suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation and the balanced 
flow of information into, out of, and across the country, in accordance with a policy that 
respects the freedom of speech and of the press.” Further, Section 18, Article II of the same 
provides that “The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the 
rights of workers and promote their welfare.” 
In line with the government’s responsibility to protect Filipino media workers and its 
effort towards the realization of these constitutional mandates, this proposed measure aims 
to:  
●
Ensure that media workers receive a minimum wage, overtime pay, night shift
premiums, hazard pay, and other forms of compensation provided in the Labor Code
of the Philippines and other related laws and issuances.
●
Provide media workers with social security and welfare benefits, as well as mandatory
additional insurance benefits such as death benefit, disability benefit, and medical
insurance benefit.
●
Deem media workers as regular employees after six months from the start of
employment.
●
Mandate the Department of Labor and Employment to create a News Media Tripartite
Council, which will serve as a platform for media workers and their employers to craft
mutually beneficial policies and settle conflicts.
This proposed measure was approved on third and final reading by the House of
Representatives in the 19th Congress, showing the overwhelming support for improving the 
welfare of Filipino media workers.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
July 16, 2025
11:25 am


HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE 
HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1985 
Introduced by HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. VINCENZO 
RENATO LUIGI R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA, AND 
HON. TERRY L. RIDON 
AN ACT PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS 
FOR MEDIA WORKERS  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:   
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Media Workers’ Welfare Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote and improve the 
social and economic well-being of media workers, including their living and working conditions. 
Towards this end, the State shall provide the necessary support to ensure that media workers 
are protected, secured, and well compensated. 
SECTION 3. Objectives. – This Act shall have the following objectives: 
(a) Ensure that media workers shall, at minimum, be paid the wages, allowances, and
benefits provided by law to workers;
(b) Motivate and encourage media workers to be truthful and responsible sharers of
information; and
(c) Promote an atmosphere that is conducive to productive, free, and fruitful media work.
SECTION 4. Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all media workers and media entities in the 
private sector.   
SECTION 5. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
(a) Blocktimer refers to one who buys airtime from radio and television franchise holders;
(b) Media entities refer to persons or organizations, including media networks and
operators that actively gather information of potential interest to a segment of the
public, turn collected information into a distinct work, or distribute that work to an
audience within the Philippines; and
(c) Media workers refer to those who are legitimately engaged in news media practice,
directly or indirectly, whether as a principal occupation or not.


SECTION 6. Minimum Compensation. – Media workers shall not receive less than the 
applicable minimum wage rate prescribed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity 
Board, and shall be entitled to overtime pay and night shift premiums, as well as other forms 
of compensation provided by the Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known 
as the “Labor Code of the Philippines”, and other related laws and issuances.   
 
SECTION 7. Social Security and Welfare Benefits. – Media workers shall be covered by 
the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG Fund, and 
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation upon employment. The payment of monthly 
contributions shall be jointly shared by the media worker and the employer, when applicable, 
in accordance with existing rules and regulations.  Media workers shall also be entitled to 
retirement benefits as provided under Republic Act No. 11199, otherwise known as the “Social 
Security Act of 2018”.   
 
SECTION 8. Hazard Pay. – Media workers required to physically report for work in dangerous 
areas such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, disease-infested 
areas or in areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency for the duration thereof 
which expose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activity or eruption, 
occupational risks or perils to life as determined by the Department of Labor and Employment 
(DOLE), shall be compensated with a hazard pay in the minimum amount of Five hundred 
pesos (P500.00) per day, with no diminution, which shall be computed as follows: 
 
 
Hazard pay = P500 x number of days physically reporting for work in dangerous areas.  
 
The base amount of the hazard pay of media workers may be increased as decided 
upon by the News Media Tripartite Council created under Section 15 of this Act. 
 
Employers shall also provide media workers covering events in dangerous areas with 
basic safety gear and equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets, first-aid kits, fire 
protection jackets, face shields, medical grade protective equipment, harnesses, safety shoes, 
and life vests. 
 
SECTION 9. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits. – Employers shall provide 
additional insurance coverage to media workers as follows:   
 
(a) Death benefit of two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each media worker 
who shall perish in the line of duty;   
 
(b) Disability benefit of up to two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each media 
worker who shall suffer total or partial disability, whether permanent to temporary, 
arising from any injury sustained in the line of duty; and 
 
(c) Medical insurance benefit for each media worker of up to one hundred thousand pesos 
(P100,000.00).   
 
SECTION 10. Security of Tenure. – Media workers shall be deemed as regular employees 
after six (6) months from the start of employment, regardless of the nature of employment. 
However, the said six (6) months period shall be computed cumulatively if a media worker is 
repeatedly engaged for shorter periods. An employer shall not terminate the services of a 
media worker except for a just or authorized cause, and with the observance of procedural 
due process.  
 
SECTION 11. Settlement of Disputes. – All labor-related disputes shall be elevated to the 
DOLE regional office that has jurisdiction over the workplace.   
 


SECTION 12. Liability of Media Entities. – Media entities shall be responsible for all content 
released under their name. Owner of media entities or franchise holder shall be liable for 
claims arising from gross negligence, malicious acts, and violation of laws in connection with 
the work of blocktimers and media workers, regardless of the nature of engagement, except 
when the owners of the media entities or franchise holders can prove that due diligence was 
exercised or that the fault is attributable solely to the concerned blocktimer or media worker. 
Any agreement to the contrary shall be void.  
 
SECTION 13. Compliance. – The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the provisions of this 
Act.  
 
SECTION 14. Administrative Penalties. –Violations of the provisions of this Act shall be 
subject to applicable penalties provided in Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, and 
other related laws and issuances.  
 
SECTION 15. News Media Tripartite Council. – The DOLE shall initiate the creation of the 
News Media Tripartite Council, which shall serve as a link among various stakeholders, 
provide a platform where media workers and employers can agree upon mutually beneficial 
policies that will promote the interests of the media industry, and serve as avenue to express 
their aspirations, discuss their programs or settle conflicts.   
 
SECTION 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, in coordination with media 
groups, associations, publishers, guilds, and other concerned groups, issue the necessary 
rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.   
 
SECTION 17. Separability Clause. – If any part, section, or provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain 
in full force and effect.   
 
SECTION 18. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.   
 
SECTION 19. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
 
Approved,