NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
s. No.
irp o( tl)f J?:' c:rtai'p
23 JAN 25 P3S2
B1XEIVE03V.
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
PROVIDING PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS 
FOR NEWS MEDIA WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Journalists and media workers face serious risks in the performance of their 
tasks, which include gathering news, research, and dissemination of information to 
the public. Every step, especially in issues involving powerful individuals and 
organizations, are mired with threat to the safety and security of media workers
As recognized by the Constitution, these media workers aid in the overall 
development of our society including dealing and combating the proliferation of 
misinformation (unintentional mistakes), disinformation (false information that is 
intended to manipulate and cause damage), and malinformation (information that 
stems from the truth but is often exaggerated in a way that misleads and causes 
harm).
Truth and information are indispensable elements to our democracy. Well- 
informed voters elect better leaders and support more effective policies. As such, the 
protection and promotion of free press and strong and independent media should be 
considered as protection and promotion of our very democracy.
With this, it hereby proposed to make it a policy of the State to provide the 
necessary support to ensure that our media workers are protected, secured, and well-


compensated.
Unfortunately, despite having proven to be frontliners to various emergencies 
and to be faced with serious risks and threats, the media workers remain not well- 
protected and well-compensated. The protection, security, and benefits that they 
receive are not commensurate to the crucial tasks that they perform. Many of them 
do not enjoy the benefits of the Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and Philhealth. 
Further, they are vulnerable to unfair labor practices.
Thus, this bill aims to ensure that they are, at the minimum, paid the wages, 
allowances, and benefits provided by law to workers. This will, in turn, motivate and 
encourage them to be responsible and accountable in performing their duties.
Under this bill, the Department of Labor and Employment will be tasked to 
create a News Media Tripartite Council to serve as a link among various stakeholders 
to promote the interests of the news media industry and to serve as an avenue to 
express their aspirations, discuss their programs, or settle conflicts.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Lm#tnuel "1
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No.
(©fflfo of flip Bn-utt-ny
23 JAN 25 P3 :52
RtXEIVcO BV:
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
PROVIDING PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS 
FOR NEWS MEDIA WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
2 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the "News Media Workers'
3 
Welfare Act."
4 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State considers news media workers as
5 
chroniclers of our history and pillars of our democracy. As such, it is hereby declared
6 
the policy of the State to promote and improve the social and economic well-being of
7 
media workers, including their living and working conditions. Towards this end, the
8 
State shall provide the necessary support to ensure that media workers are protected,
9 
secured, and well-compensated.
10 
Section 3. Objectives. - This Act shall have the following objectives:
11 
a) Ensure that news media workers shall, at the minimum, be paid the wages,
12 
allowances, and benefits provided by law to workers;
13 
b) Motivate and encourage news media workers to be truthful and responsible
14 
sharers of information; and
15 
c) Promote an atmosphere that is conducive to productive, free, and fruitful
16 
news media work.
1


1 
Section 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all news media workers and
2 
entities in the public and private sector.
3 
Section 5. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
4 
a) Biocktimers refers to persons or organizations who buy airtime from radio
5 
and television franchise holders;
6 
b) Media entities refer to persons or organizations, including media networks
7 
and operators that actively gather information of potential interest to a
8 
segment of the public, turn collected information into a distinct work or
9 
distribute that work to an audience within the Philippines; and
10 
c) News media workers refer to persons who are legitimately engaged in
11 
journalism and news media practice, directly and indirectly, whether as a
12 
principal occupation or not.
13 
Section 6. Minimum Compensation. - News media workers shall not receive
14 
less than the applicable minimum wage rate prescribed by the Regional Tripartite
15 
Wages and Productivity Board and shall be entitled to overtime pay and night shift
16 
premiums, as well as other forms of compensation provided by Presidential Decree
17 
No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines", and
18 
other related laws and issuances.
19 
Section 7. Social Security and Welfare Benefits. - News media workers shall be
20 
covered by the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or the
21 
Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation upon employment.
22 
The payment of monthly contributions shall be jointly shared by the news media
23 
worker and the employer, when applicable, in accordance with existing rules and
24 
regulations. News media workers shall also be entitled to retirement benefits as
25 
provided under R.A. No. 11199, otherwise known as the "Social Security Act of 2018".
26 
Section 8. Hazard Pay. - News media workers required to physically report for
27 
work in dangerous areas such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated
28 
stations, disease-infested areas, or in areas declared under a state of calamity or
29 
emergency for the duration thereof which expose them to great danger, contagion,
2


1 
radiation, volcanic activity or eruption, occupational risks or perils to life as determined
2 
by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), shall be compensated with a
3 
hazard pay in the minimum amount of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per pay, with no
4 
deduction.
5 
The base amount of the hazard pay of news media workers may be increased
6 
as decided upon by the News Media Tripartite Council created under Section 15 of this
7 
Act.
8 
Employers shall also provide news media workers covering events in dangerous
9 
areas with basic safety gear and equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets,
10 
first-aid kits, fire protection jackets, face shiels, appropriate-grade protective
11 
equipment, harnesses, safety shoes, and life vests.
12 
Section 9. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits. - Employers shall provide
13 
additional insurance coverage to news media workers as follows:
14 
a) Death benefit of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each news
15 
media worker who shall perish in the line of duty;
16 
b) Disability benefit of up to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for
17 
each news media worker who shall suffer total or partial disability, whether
18 
permanent or temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of
19 
duty; and
20 
c) Medical insurance benefit for each news media worker of up to One hundred
21 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00).
22 
Section 10. Security of Tenure. - News media workers shall be deemed as
23 
regular employees after six (6) months from the start of employment, regardless of
24 
the nature of employment. However, the said six (6) months period shall be computed
25 
cumulatively if a news media worker is repeatedly engaged for shorter periods within
26 
a period of two (2) years. An employer shall not terminate the services of a news
27 
media worker except for a just or authorized cause, and with the observance of
28 
procedural due process.


1 
Section 11. Settlement of Disputes.-Ihe DOLE shall have exclusive jurisdiction
2 
over all labor-related disputes and claims under this Act provided that the DOLE shall
3 
likewise establish in the implementing rules alternative modes of dispute resolution.
4 
Section 12. Compliance. - The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the
5 
provisions of this Act.
6 
Section 13. Administrative Penalties. - Violations of the provisions of this Act
7 
shall be subject to applicable penalties provided in Presidential Decree No. 442, as
8 
amended, and other related laws and issuances.
9 
Section 14. News Media Tripartite Council. - The DOLE shall initiate the creation
10 
of the News Media Tripartite Council which shall serve as a link among various
11 
stakeholders, provide a platform where news media workers and employers can agree
12 
upon mutually beneficial policies that will promote the interests of the media industry,
13 
and ser\/e as an avenue to express their aspirations, discuss their programs or settle
14 
conflicts.
15 
Section 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
16 
from the approval of this Act, the Secretary of Labor and Employment shall, in
17 
coordination with media groups, associations, publishers, guilds, and other concerned
18 
groups. Issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
19 
Act.
20 
Section 16. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is declared
21 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall
22 
remain in full force and effect.
23 
Section 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions,
24 
rules and regulations contrary or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
25 
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
26 
Section 18. EffectMty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
27 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
28
Approved,