Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 1202

Introduced by Representative
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Media workers play a critical role in upholding democracy and ensuring that
information is accessible, timely, and accurate. They serve the public interest often
under difficult, hazardous, and even life-threatening conditions. Despite their
indispensable function in society, many media workers remain vulnerable to job
insecurity, poor compensation, lack of benefits, and threats to their safety and well-
being.

This proposed measure, the Media Workers’ Welfare Act, seeks to promote and
improve the social and economic welfare of media workers by institutionalizing fair
wages, providing hazard pay and insurance benefits, ensuring access to social
security programs, and strengthening the security of tenure. It also mandates media
entities to take greater responsibility for the welfare of media workers under their
operations, including blocktimers and non-regular employees.

By establishing clear guidelines for compensation, social benefits, safety, and dispute
resolution, this bill aims to cultivate a safe, just, and conducive working environment
for all media practitioners. It also empowers the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) to monitor compliance and lead the creation of a News Media
Tripartite Council to institutionalize dialogue between government, employers, and
workers in the media sector.

It is important to note that this same measure was passed on Third Reading by
the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress, affirming the
Chamber's longstanding commitment to protect and promote the rights and welfare
of Filipino media workers.

In light of continuing threats to press freedom and labor rights, the immediate
passage of this bill is urgently sought.
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REP. ZIAYR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG
‘ict, Lanao del Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL No. 1202

Introduced by Representative
ZIAUR-RAHMAN “ZIA” ALONTO ADIONG

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 “Media Workers’ Welfare Act.”

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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;

C. Promote an atmosphere that is conducive to a productive, free, and fruitful
media work.

SEC. 4. Coverage
This Act shall apply to all media workers and media entities in the private
sector.


SEC. 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;

C. Media workers refer to those who are legitimately engaged in news media
practice, directly or indirectly, whether as a principal occupation or not.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.”

SEC. 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.

SEC. 9. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits
Employers shall provide additional insurance coverage to media workers as follows:

* Death benefit of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each
media worker who shall perish in the line of duty;

* 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 or temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of
duty;

* Medical insurance benefit for each media worker of up to One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00).

SEC. 0. 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.

SEC. 11. Settlement of Disputes
All labor-related disputes shall be elevated to the DOLE regional office which has
jurisdiction over the workplace

ity of Media Entities

Media entities shall be responsible for all contents released under their name.
Owners of media entities or franchise holders 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 are able to 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

SEC. 13. Compliance
The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the provisions of this Act

SEC. 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

SEC. 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 an avenue to express
their aspirations, discuss their programs, or settle conflicts

SEC. 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

SEC. 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

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause
All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 19. Effe
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,