POUR'fEENTH GONGmSS OF THE ) 
HIEPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Reguirr Session 
1 
8 JLL 24 06 :I i! 
Introduced by Senator Ranon Bong Revilla, 9r. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Communication is vital to building a strong Republic. Thus, the Philippine 
government operates a nationwide institution established to respond to the information 
needs of the citizenry. 
We live and brealhe media. From the newspaper articles that we devour alongside 
our breakfast to the television shows that we argue about over coffee, media has become 
a staple that we just cannot do without. 
The media has a strong social and cultural impact upon society. This is predicated 
upon its ability to reach a wide audience which ofien sends a strong and influential 
message. 
This bill seeks to provide meaningful benefits that would promote the financial 
independence and economic security for free-lance media practitioners and discourage 
corruption by news sources. 
The welfare fund would be in the form of, but not limited to, free legal assistance, 
group health and life insurance coverage, as weil as hospitalization arid disability 
benefits. Also include discount on tuition fees and seed money for the establishment of 
media cooperatives. 
Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought 


FOURTEENTH CONGRF,SS OF TFEE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session, 
1 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bung Revillla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
STRENGTHENING THE PEILIYPXNE INFORMATION AGENCY (PIA), 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTIONS 3 AND 9 OF EXECUTIVE 
ORDER NQ. 100 ALSO KNOWN AS “CREATING THE PHILIPPINE 
INFORMATION AGENCY” BY PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL FUNCTION, 
ESTABLISHING A NATIONWIDE WELFARE FUND AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and Hoicse of Representatives of the Philippines in t,70igress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Section 3 of Executive Order No. 100 is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Section 3. Functions. 
1. Establish and maintain selected regional/provincial information centers on 
community needs for use in planning communications programs and provide 
basic hformlttion of government and on areas of particular interests to the 
community it serves; 
2. Provide technical assistance to other government agencies on the 
communications component of their programs; 
3. Plan and implement information programs of national scope; 
4. Assess information needs of the people through opinion polls and surveys to 
be used to systematically obtain the public’s needs and views on government 
programs and to plan information programs; 
5. Conduct research studies for policy formulation and the evaluation of the 
information program effectiveness; 
6. Upgrade skills of government information officers, rural broadcasters, 
communicators, journalists and other communications personnel through 
training services and/or consultancy; 
7. PLAN AND IMPLEMENT A NATIONWIDE WELFARE PROGRAM 
FOR MEDIA PFtACTITIONERS 
[7] 8. Support the developnient . and expansion o f ,  indigenous media and 
informat ion communication. technology; AND 


[8] 9. Perform whatever tasks as may be assigned by the President 
Section 2. Section 9 is hereby added'to read as follows, while the subsequent 
portions of the same Executive Order are numbered accordingly: 
SECTION 9. WELFARE FUND. 
THERE IS FkREBY ESTABLISHED A NATIONWIDE WELFARE 
FUND, HEREIN REFERRED TO AS A FUND, TO BE ADMINISTERED 
AND MANAGED BY THE PIA. TBE AMOUNT OF TEN MILLION 
TO THE CURWENT FUNDS AVAlLABLE IN THE NATIONAL 
IN THE BUDGET OF THE PIA IN THE GENEXAL APPROPRIATBONS 
ACT. TBE SELECTION OF QUALIFIED BENEFICIAARIES SHALL BE 
ORGANIZATIONS. 
THE 
FIA 
SHALL 
PROMULGATE 
THE 
DISBURSEMENT 
OF. 
THE 
FUND 
WHICH 
SHALL 
INCLUDE.ASSISTANCE IN FOFXMS OF, BUT N OT 1,IMITED TO, 
MEDICAL 
ALLOWANCE, 
HAZARD 
PAY, 
GROUP 
HEALTH 
INSURANCE, GROUP LIFE INSURANCE, DISCOUNT ON TUITION 
FEES, AND DISCOUNT ON PIJRCHASE OF REFERENCE MATERIALS, 
FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND SEED MONEY FOR THE 
ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDIA COOPERATIVES. 
Section 3. Separability Clause. 
If any of' this Act shall be held to be 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
PESOS ~~io,ooo,ooo.oo) 
IS HEREBY  APPROPRIATE^ CHARGEABLE 
TREASURY. THEREAFTER, SUCH A ~ O U N T  
AS MAY BE ~NCLUDED 
DONE IN COOPERATION WITB DULY ORGANIZED MEDIA 
NECESSARY 
GUIDEL1,NES 
FOR 
THE 
UTILIZATION 
AND 
Section 4. Repealing CIause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations that are contrary to the provision of this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended and modified accordingly. 
Section 5, Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publicatiori in English or Filipino in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers 
of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2