Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
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-Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force, according to Section 18, Article 
II of the 1987 Constitution. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare". The 
right to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities 
is also guaranteed by the Constitution. They will also be entitled to job security, humane working 
conditions, and a living wage. 
As members of the labor force, media, and entertainment workers play an important role in 
our society and economy. They provide news, entertainment, and other essential content to keep us 
up to date on all of the current events going on around us. Behind the news and entertainment 
content, media and entertainment workers work day and night to provide the general public with 
accurate information and coverage. 
Equal opportunity can be classified into four types: formal quality of opportunity, substantive 
equality of opportunity, equality of fair opportunity, level playing field, and meritocracy. As a 
result, with this measure, people-centered legislation is proposed. 
News and Media workers are the main objectives of this measure. 
The dedication of media and entertainment workers to public service is undeniable. In 
recognition of their invaluable contribution to society and the hazardous conditions they face during 
crises, it is proper to compensate them with just emoluments and additional labor protection under 
the law. 
This proposed measure seeks to improve the protection, security, and incentives for media 
workers by providing an additional health insurance package, overtime and night differential pay, 
and other benefits. This bill also requires a written contract signed by the media entity and the 
employee to ensure maximum protection from unjust compensation and that their labor rights are 
well protected and their welfare is not neglected. 
The passage of this measure is urgently requested. 
REP. GERALDINE B. ROMAN 
District Representative 
Bataan, 1st District
February 15, 2023
11:38 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, BENEFITS, AND 
INCENTIVES FOR NEWS AND MEDIA WORKERS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled. 
SECTION. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “News and Media Workers Act 
of 2023.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  This Act shall be known as the "Media Workers' 
Welfare Act". 
SEC. 3. Declaration of the Principle of Equal Opportunity. – The State recognizes 
that all individuals have the right to equal opportunity to live decently and with dignity. Every 
individual has the right to participate and be given access to information relating to the 
decision-making processes that affect their lives and well-being.  
The State further declares that workers in the news and media sector are individuals 
deserving of secured rights of a decent life, dignity, and humane employment. They should be 
allowed to live a life of normalcy, living in co-existence with other workers who are living a 
peaceful and productive life, secured, and protected by law. 
SEC. 4. – Coverage. – The provisions of this Act shall apply to all workers in the news 
and media industry, whether on a contractual or regular basis, in the public and private sectors. 
SEC. 5. – Minimum Compensation for News and Media Workers. – To ensure that 
news and media workers shall be properly compensated, entry-level positions shall receive the 
minimum monthly compensation determined by the National Wages and Productivity 
Commission (NWPC). 
SEC. 6. – Normal Hours of Work. – The normal hours of work of a worker in the media 
and news sector, whether in the public or private sector, shall not exceed eight (8) hours per 
day or forty (40) hours per week. The hours of work shall include, but not be limited to the time 
in which:  
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(a) The worker in the media and news sector concerned is required to be present and on 
 
active duty at the prescribed place of work; 
(b) The worker in the media and news sector concerned is permitted to work, whether 
or not such work is done at the prescribed place of work; and 
 
(c) The worker in the media and news sector concerned is required to work in places 
other than the prescribed place of work.  
 
 
SEC. 7. – Overtime Work. – Where the exigencies of the service so require a worker in 
the media and news sector, whether in the public or private sector, may be required to render 
service beyond the regular eight (8) hours per day, inclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and non-
working holidays. In such cases, the worker in the media and news sector concerned shall be 
given additional compensation in accordance with existing laws on the matter.  
 
 
SEC. 8. – Social Security and Welfare Benefits. – News and Media workers shall be 
covered by the Government Service Insurance System, the Home Development 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 news and media worker and 
the employer, when applicable, in accordance with existing rules and regulations. News and 
Media workers shall also be entitled to retirement benefits as provided under RA No. 11199, 
otherwise known as the “Social Security Act of 2018” 
 
SEC. 9. – Hazard Pay. – News and Media workers are required to physically report for 
work in dangerous areas such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, 
disease-infested areas, or 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 news and media workers may be increased as 
decided upon by the News Media Tripartite Council created under Section 17 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.   
 
SEC. 10. – Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits. – Employers shall provide 
additional insurance coverage to news and 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 pesos (P200,000.00) for each news and 
media worker who shall suffer a total or partial disability, whether permanent or 
temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of duty; and 
 
 
c) Medical insurance benefit for each news and media worker of up to One hundred 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00). 


 
 
SEC. 11. – Other Compensation Benefits. – All workers in the media and news sector, 
in addition to the compensation and benefits already provided by existing laws, shall be entitled 
to the following compensation and benefits: 
 
a) Representation Allowance and Travelling Allowance; 
b) Subsistence Allowance; 
c) Longevity Pay; 
d) Clothing Allowance; 
e) Housing Allowance; 
f) On-call Pay; and 
g) Vehicle Loan. 
 
SEC. 12. – Security of Tenure. – News and 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 news 
and 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. 13. – Right to Join Organizations. – Workers in the media and news sector shall 
have the right to autonomy in terms of joining associations, organizations, or unions for 
purposes not contrary to law, in the protection of their mutual interests, and in the pursuit of 
seeking redress for grievances through peaceful concerted activities.  
 
SEC. 14. – Settlement of Disputes. – All labor-related disputes shall be elevated to the 
DOLE regional office that has jurisdiction over the workplace. 
 
SEC. 15. –  Compliance. – The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the provisions of 
this Act. 
 
SEC. 16. – 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. 17. – News Media Tripartite Council. – The DOLE shall initiate the creation of 
the News Media Tripartite Council which shall serve n as a link among various stakeholders, 
and provide a platform where news and media workers and employees can agree upon mutually 
beneficial policies that will promote the interest of the media industry, and serve as an avenue 
to express their aspirations, discuss their programs or settle conflicts 
 
 
SEC. 18. – Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity 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. 19. – Separability Clause. – If for any reason, any section, clause, or term of this 
 Act is held to be illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 
SEC. 20. – Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive 
orders, letters of instruction, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


 
 
 
SEC. 21. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,