Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
_________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The State recognizes labor as a primary social and economic force pursuant to 
Section 18, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. It is duty-bound to protect the rights of 
workers and to promote their welfare. The Constitution likewise guarantees the right to self-
organization, collective bargaining and negotiation, and engagement in peaceful concerted 
activities. In addition, workers are entitled to security of tenure, humane working conditions, 
and a living wage. 
As members of the labor force, media and entertainment workers play a vital role in 
both our society and economy. They are responsible for delivering news, entertainment, and 
other essential content that keeps the public informed and engaged. Behind every broadcast, 
article, or production, these workers labor tirelessly, to ensure the timely and accurate 
dissemination of information and coverage to the general public. 
Equal opportunity may be understood through various frameworks, including formal 
equality of opportunity, substantive equality of opportunity, equality of fair opportunity, a 
level playing field, and meritocracy. Guided by these principles, this measure advances 
people-centered legislation that seeks to uphold fairness and inclusivity. 
At the heart of this proposal are media and entertainment workers, whose unwavering 
commitment to public service is both vital and commendable. In recognition of their 
invaluable contributions to society, often rendered under hazardous and high-risk conditions, 
particularly during times of crisis, it is both just and necessary to extend to them appropriate 
compensation and enhanced labor protections 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 so 
that their rights are well protected and their welfare is not neglected. 
Immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
August 5, 2025
12:20 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ________ 
________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative ANTONINO B. ROMAN III 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
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 
2025.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes that all individuals have the 
right to equal opportunity and 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 affirms that workers in the news and media sector are entitled to 
the full enjoyment of their rights to a decent life, dignity, and humane conditions of 
employment. They must be afforded the opportunity to live with stability and normalcy, with 
other workers who enjoy a peaceful, secure, and productive life under the protection of the 
law. 
SECTION 3. 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 sector. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
mean: 
a.
“News and Media Worker” refers to any person, whether employed on a regular,
probationary, contractual, project, or freelance basis, engaged in the gathering,
reporting, writing, editing, filming, photographing, production, or technical support
of news, public affairs, entertainment, and related content, in any platform including
print, broadcast, and digital media;
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b. “Hazardous Area” refers to any place classified by the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE) as posing serious risks to safety or health due to conflict, 
disaster, hazardous substances, dangerous terrain, or other comparable 
circumstances; 
 
c. “Employer” refers to any person or entity, including government agencies and 
private corporations, that engages the services of a news and media worker for 
compensation; 
 
d. “Tripartite Council” refers to the News Media Tripartite Council created under 
Section 16 of this Act. 
 
SECTION 5. Minimum Compensation for News and Media Workers. – To ensure that 
news and media workers are properly compensated, entry-level positions shall receive at 
least the minimum monthly compensation to be determined by the National Wages and 
Productivity Commission (NWPC). 
 
SECTION 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:  
  
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.  
 
SECTION 7. Overtime Work. – Where the exigencies of the service so require, a worker 
in the media and news 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. 
 
SECTION 8. Social Security and Welfare Benefits. – News and Media workers shall be 
entitled to the benefits from the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service 
Insurance System (GSIS), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Pag-IBIG Fund 
(PAGIBIG), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH) upon 
employment. The payment of monthly contributions shall be jointly shared by the news and 
media worker and the employer, in accordance with existing rules and regulations.  
 
SECTION 9. Hazard Pay. – News and Media workers who 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 any situation 
which exposes 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 amount equivalent to 
at least ten percent (10%) of the worker’s basic daily rate, or Five hundred pesos (P500.00) 
per day, whichever is higher, without diminution. 


 
 
 
The base amount of the hazard pay may be increased as determined by the News 
Media Tripartite Council (NMTC) created under Section 18 of this Act. 
 
Employers shall provide media workers covering events in dangerous areas with 
basic safety gear and equipment such as, but not limited to, bulletproof vests and helmets, 
first-aid kits, fire protection jackets, face shields, medical-grade protective equipment, 
harnesses, safety shoes, and life vests.   
 
SECTION 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) for each media 
worker who shall perish in the line of duty; 
 
b. Disability benefit of up to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000) 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). 
 
SECTION 11. Funding for Public Sector Compliance. – For news and media workers 
employed in government media entities, the amounts necessary for the implementation of 
the benefits under this Act shall be included in the annual budget proposal of the concerned 
agency, subject to usual budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. 
 
SECTION 12. 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 and Travel Allowance; 
 
b. Subsistence Allowance; 
 
c. Longevity Pay; 
 
d. Clothing Allowance; 
 
e. Housing Allowance; 
 
f. On-call Pay; and 
 
g. Vehicle Loan. 
 
SECTION 13. Security of Tenure. – News and Media workers shall be deemed regular 
employees after six (6) months from the start of employment, regardless of the nature of 
employment. However, the six (6) month 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 causes prescribed under the 
Labor Code. This provision shall not prevent lawful project-based or seasonal engagements, 
but shall prohibit repeated short-term engagements intended to circumvent regularization. 
 
 


 
 
 
SECTION 14. Right to Join Organizations. – Workers in the media and news sector shall 
have the right to join associations, organizations, or unions for purposes not contrary to law, 
in the protection of their mutual interests, and in the pursuit of redress for grievances through 
lawful and peaceful concerted activities.  
 
SECTION 15. Settlement of Disputes. – All labor-related disputes shall be elevated to the 
DOLE regional office having jurisdiction over the workplace. 
 
SECTION 16.  Compliance. – The DOLE shall be responsible for monitoring compliance 
with the provisions of this Act and for enforcing its Implementing Rules and Regulations 
(IRR). 
 
SECTION 17. 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. 
 
SECTION 18. News Media Tripartite Council. – The DOLE shall initiate the creation of 
a News Media Tripartite Council, which shall serve as a consultative and advisory body 
composed of representatives from the government, employers, and workers in the news and 
media industry. The Council shall provide a platform for stakeholders to: 
 
a. Formulate and agree upon mutually beneficial policies promoting the interests 
and welfare of media workers; 
 
b. Express collective aspirations and propose industry-wide programs; and 
 
c. Discuss and settle labor-management issues and other relevant concerns affecting 
the sector. 
 
SECTION 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within one hundred twenty (120) 
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 IRR to implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 20. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 21. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SECTION 22. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,