TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. S07
■UlMV
25 AUG-4 PI :27
RtCEiVEDBV
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS FOR 
MEDIA WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As of July 2025, thirty-nine (39) journalists and media staff have already been 
killed worldwide1, underscoring the perilous environment in which they operate. Aside 
from the tragic killings, Filipino media workers endure persistent intimidation, harassment, 
cyber-attacks, cyber-libel suits, death threats and unlawful arrests; although the 
Committee to Protect Journalists reported zero work-related journalist deaths in 2024— 
signaling a reduction in fatalities—the absence of killings alone obscures the ongoing 
erosion of press freedom, as the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility emphasizes 
that true media freedom must be measured by the full spectrum of non-lethal threats and 
systemic constraints confronting journalists today.2
The 2019 South East Asia Media Freedom Report characterizes the country's media 
freedom as "seriously declining" with a safety rating deemed "poor or worsening," 
affirming that the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous places to practice 
journalism, having been dubbed the "most murderous" for journalists in 2005, with a total 
of 186 media workers slain since the restoration of the country's democracy.3
1 International Federation of Journalists. (2025, July 17). Journalists & media staff killed in 2025. 
Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.ifj.org/.
2 Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. (2025, May 3). The state of media freedom in the 
Philippines 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://cmfr-phil.org/press-freedom-protection/press- 
freedom/the-state-of-media-freedom-in-the-philippines/https://cmfr-phil.org/press-freedom- 
protection/press-freedom/the-state-of-media-freedom-in-the-philippines/.
3 International Federation of Journalists on behalf of South East Asia Journalist Unions. (2019). Holding


A March 2021 survey by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines found 
that 44% of over 200 respondents earned P15,000 or less per month, and 15% earned 
P5,000 or below—far beneath even the lowest regional minimums. Seven (7) in ten (10) 
media workers reported needing side "rakets" or small businesses just to make ends 
meet.4 This demonstrates that, in practice, many media practitioners receive 
compensation below statutory minima, underscoring the necessity to close a long­
standing gap in media employment.
The Media Workers' Welfare Act is a legislative measure aimed at addressing the 
unique challenges faced by media professionals. It seeks to ensure fair compensation, 
social insurance, and protections against hazards, both physical and digital. This bill seeks 
to transform what has often been "newsroom culture" into enforceable rights, affording 
journalists the same baseline protections as other workers.
This bill seeks to expand the government's existing protection mechanisms for 
media workers, who serve as frontline responders to every critical event and emergency 
across the archipelago, whether natural disasters, armed conflicts, industrial accidents, or 
pandemics.
As true "information heroes," journalists and media staff willingly brave hazardous 
environments, health risks, and even active hostilities, ensuring that Filipinos receive 
timely, accurate reporting; without their courage and dedication, communities would be 
left in the dark at moments when reliable information is most vital.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
LOREN LEGARDA
the line: South East Asia media freedom report 2019. Asia-Pacific Regional Office of the International 
Federation of Journaiists. Retrieved July 18, 
2025, from
https://data.laos.opendevelopmentmekong.net/library_record/holding-the-line-south-east-asia-media- 
freedom-report-2019.
4 National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. (2025). NUJP's comments on proposals for a Media 
Workers' Welfare Act. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from
https://nujp.org/nujps-comments-on-proposals-for-a-media-workers-welfare-act/?utm_source=.


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Senate
- rtatp
25 ftUG-4 PI 27
SENATE
807
RtCElVtDBV.
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS FOR 
MEDIA WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "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 the 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) c) Promote an atmosphere that is conducive to 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;
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b) Media entities refer to persons or organizations, including media
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networks and operators that actively gather information of potential
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interest to a segment of the public, turn collected information into a
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distinct work or distribute that work to an audience within the
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Philippines; and
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c) Media workers refer to those who are legitimately engaged in news
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media practice, directly or indirectly, including those online or digital-
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only journalists and their supporting staff, whether as a principal
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occupation or not.
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Sec. 6. Minimum Compensation and Benefits. - Media workers shall not receive
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less than the applicable minimum wage rate prescribed by the Regional Tripartite
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Wages and Productivity Board and shall be entitled to overtime pay and night shift
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differentials, as well as other forms of compensation provided by Presidential Decree
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No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines", and
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other related laws and issuances.
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Sec. 7. Social Security and Welfare Benefits. - Media workers shall be covered
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by the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG
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Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation upon engagement. The
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payment of monthly contributions shall be jointly shared by the media worker and the
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employer, when applicable, in accordance with existing rules and regulations. Media
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workers shall also be entitled to retirement benefits as provided under RA No. 11199,
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otherwise known as the "Social Security Act of 2018".
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Sec. 8. Hazard Pay and Safety Equipment -
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a) Any media worker required to physically report for duty in any of the
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following hazardous assignments shall receive hazard pay at a rate of
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Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per day, computed as:
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Hazard pay = P500 x number of days physically reporting for work
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b) Hazardous assignments include, but are not limited to:
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i) 
Coverage in strife-torn or embattled zones;
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ii) 
Deployment to distressed or isolated stations;


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iii) 
Reporting in disease-infested or biohazardous areas;
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iv) 
Work in zones under a declared state of calamity or emergency;
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v) 
Live coverage of civil disturbances, mass protests or large-scale
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crowd events;
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vi) 
Prolonged night shifts or continuous operations exceeding eight
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(8) hours;
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vii) 
Assignments involving credible threats of violence, kidnapping or
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cyber-harassment
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c) The base amount of the hazard pay of media workers may be increased
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as decided upon by the News Media Tripartite Council created under
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Section 15 of this Act.
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d) Employers shall also provide media workers covering events in
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hazardous assignments with appropriate safety gear and or personal
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protective equipment, including but not limited to bulletproof vests,
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helmets, first-aid kits, fire protection jackets, face shields, medical-grade
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protective equipment, harnesses, safety shoes, 
and life vests.
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Sec. 9. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits. - Employers shall provide
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additional insurance coverage to media workers as follows:
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a) Death benefit of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each
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media worker who shall perish in the line of duty;
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b) Disability benefit of up to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00)
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for each media worker who shall suffer total or partial disability, whether
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permanent or temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of
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duty; and
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c) Medical insurance benefit for each media worker of up to One hundred
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thousand pesos (PI00,000.00).
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Sec. 10. Security of Tenure. - Media workers shall be deemed as regular
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employees after six (6) months from the start of employment, regardless of the nature
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of their initial employment. However, the said six (6) months period shall be computed
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cumulatively if a media worker is repeatedly engaged for shorter periods. An employer
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shall not terminate the services of a media worker except for a just or authorized
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cause, and with the observance of procedural due process.


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Sec. 11. Settlement of Disputes. - All labor-related disputes shall be elevated
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to the DOLE regional office that has jurisdiction over the workplace.
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Sec. 12. Liability of Media Entities. - Media entities shall be responsible for all
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contents released under their name. Owners of media entities or franchise holders
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shall be liable for claims arising from gross negligence, malicious acts, and violation of
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laws in connection with the work of blocktimers and media workers, regardless of the
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nature of engagement, except when the owners of the media entities or the franchise
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holders are able to prove that due diligence was exercised or that the fault is
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attributable solely to the concerned blocktimer or media worker. Any agreement to
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the contrary shall be void.
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Sec. 13. Compliance. - The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the provisions
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of this Act.
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Sec. 14. Administrative Penalties. - Violations of the provisions of this Act shall
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be subject to applicable penalties provided in Presidential Decree No. 442, as
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amended, and other related laws and issuances.
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Sec. 15. News Media Tripartite Council. - The DOLE shall initiate the creation
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of the News Media Tripartite Council which shall serve as a link among various
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stakeholders, provide a platform where media workers and employers can agree upon
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mutually beneficial policies that will promote the interests of the media industry, and
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serve as an avenue to express their aspirations, discuss their programs or settle
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conflicts.
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The Council shall promulgate and enforce policies ensuring that all freelance
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and blocktimer media workers enjoy standardized engagement agreements, detailing
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scope of work, rates and timely payment schedules, and a dedicated grievance
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mechanism with expedited resolution procedures.
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The Council shall establish and operate a centralized Digital Harassment
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Response Portal ("Portal") through which media workers may securely report online
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threats, harassment or cyber-attacks, and access assistance in coordination with the
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National Telecommunications Commission and the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group.
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Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, in coordination
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with media groups, associations, publishers, guilds, and other concerned groups, issue


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the necessat7 rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act is
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such
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declaration shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and
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regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
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accordingly.
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Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,