EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2021
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l</> T^MPV 10:51 am
BY
INDEX.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS FOR 
MEDIA WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press. It recognizes the 
invaluable role of the free press to a vibrant, working democracy and to the overall 
development of our society.
Journalists and media workers risk their life and limb to perform their duty to 
inform the public and deliver the meaningful stories that need to be known. At many 
times, they have proven to be frontliners and first responders to various emergencies 
like calamities, accidents, and war, to bring the condition of the affected areas and its 
residents. Especially at this time of the pandemic, their work bears an added risk of 
contracting the disease, and extra burden brought by strict travel restrictions and 
health protocols. Moreover, their profession becomes especially crucial to counter the 
proliferation of fake news and disinformation in this digital age and massive use of 
social media platforms.
This bill seeks to promote and ensure the welfare of the media workers, such 
as the field reporters, news writers, cameramen, photographers, among others, 
through institutionalized social security benefits, insurance coverage, hazard pay, 
security of tenure and minimum compensation. It aims to respond to the various labor 
issues reported in the print, broadcast and online media industry, and protect the basic 
rights of journalists as workers.


The measure also seeks to create the News Media Tripartite Council which will 
serve as a platform among different stakeholders where media workers and their 
employers can come together to discuss mutually beneficial policies and resolve their 
issues.
Passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 2021
E-FILED ^2:
[uJ: r>*.TK* January 26 2021
ICP
Tw.lP*. 10:51 am
BY
INDEX.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY, AND BENEFITS FOR 
MEDIA WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short 77//e. - This Act shall be known as the "Media Workers'Welfare
Act.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared 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. Uphold the rights and responsibilities of the media workers in the 
dissemination of information and public communication; and
c. Promote an atmosphere that is conducive to a productive, free, and fruitful 
media work.
Sec. 4. Coverage.Act shall apply to all media workers and media entities 
in the private sector.
Sec. 5. Deiinition of Terms. — As used in this Act:


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a. Bbcktimer - refers to one who buys airtime from radio and television
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franchise holders;
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b. Media Entities- refer to persons or organizations, including media networks
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and operators that actively gather information of potential interest to a
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segment of the public, turn collected information into distinct work or
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distribute that work to an audience within the Philippines;
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c. Media workers- refer to those who are legitimately engaged In news media
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practice, directly or Indirectly, whether as a principal occupation or not.
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Sec. 6. Minimum Compensation. - Media workers shall not receive less than
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the applicable minimum wage rate prescribed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and
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Productivity Board, and shall be entitled to overtime pay and night shift premiums, as
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well as other forms of compensation provided by Presidential Decree No: 442, as
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amended, otherwise known as the "Labor Code of the Philippines" and other related
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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 (SSS), the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-
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IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation upon employment. 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 Republic Act
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No. 11199, otherwise known as the "Social Security Act of 2018."
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Sec. 8. Hazard Pay. - Media workers required to physically report to work In
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dangerous areas such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations,
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disease-infested areas or in areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency for
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the duration thereof which expose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic
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activity or eruption, occupational risks or perils to life as determined by the
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Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall be compensated with a hazard
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pay In the minimum amount of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per day, with no
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diminution, which shall be computed as follows:
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Hazard pay=PSOOx number of days physically reporting for work in dangerous
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areas


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The base amount of the hazard pay of media workers may be increased as
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decided upon by the News Media Tripartite Council created under Section 14 of this
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Act.
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Employers shall also provide media workers covering events in dangerous areas
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with basic safety gear and equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets, first-aid
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kits, fire protection jackets, face shields, medical grade protective equipment,
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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 Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) 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 fifty thousand pesos (P250,000.00)
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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 fifty
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thousand pesos (P150,000.00)
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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 employment. However, the said six (6) month 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 which has jurisdiction over the workplace.
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Sec. 12. Compliance. - The DOLE shall monitor compliance with the provisions
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of this Act.
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Sec. 13. Administrative Penalties. - Violations of the provisions of this Act shall
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be subject to applicable penalties provided in President Decree No4 442, as amended
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and other related laws and Issuances.
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Sec. 14. 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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Sec. 15. 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, guilds and other concerned groups, issue the
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necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
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Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, executive
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order, letter of Instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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accordingly.
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Sec. 18. 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,