' \p:u Pi : .'
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
25 JUL 16 P4 :04
\
SENATE 
S. No. GG7
RtCEiVED B-
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFITS FOR 
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT WORKERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 18, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the State affirms 
labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and 
promote their welfare." The Constitution also guarantees workers the right to self­
organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities.
They shall also be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a 
living wage.
Media and entertainment workers play an important role in informing, 
educating, and shaping public opinion. They are essential to a well-functioning 
democracy, as they serve as the bridge between the public and the truth. Yet, despite 
their critical contributions, media workers continue to face difficult working conditions, 
often without adequate protection, benefits, or security of tenure.
These professionals risk their lives to provide timely and relevant information 
to the public, especially during crises, natural disasters, armed conflicts, and public 
health emergencies. They are on the frontlines, braving physical dangers, mental 
stress, and long hours—often with little to no additional compensation or protection.


The proposed measure seeks to address these concerns by providing enhanced 
protection, security and incentives for media workers through additional health 
insurance package, overtime and night differential pay, other benefits provided herein.
This bill also stipulates that there must be a written contract signed by the 
media entity and the employee to guarantee utmost protection from unjust 
compensation and to ensure that their labor rights are well protected and their welfare 
are not neglected.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No
)
)
)
SENATE
667
25 JUL 16 P4:04
■\
RF.CEi'v'EDc/ _____ _
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong"T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING ENHANCED PROTECTION, SECURITY AND BENEFITS FOR 
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT WORKERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section. 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as "Media and Entertainment
2 
Workers' Welfare Act of 2025."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to accord
4 
full protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of employment
5 
opportunities for all. Pursuant to the Constitution, all workers shall be guaranteed
6 
the right to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful
7 
concerted activities. They shall also be entitled to security of tenure, humane
8 
conditions of work, and a living wage. They shall participate in policy and decision-
9 
making processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law. To
10 
this end, workers in the media and entertainment industry shall:
11 
(a) Have the right to a safe and healthful workplace, a safe atmosphere
12 
conducive to free and fruitful media and entertainment work, and freedom
13 
from any harassment, consistent with the Constitutional guarantee of the
14 
freedoms of speech, press, and expression; and


1 
(b) Have all the rights accorded to workers in accordance with Philippine laws,
2 
ratified international labor standards, conventions, and other relevant
3 
instruments.
4 
Sec. 3. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all workers in the media and
5 
entertainment industry, as defined herein.
6 
(a) Media and Entertainment Workers include:
7 
1) Workers who are engaged in the pursuit of information gathering,
8 
production, report, and distribution of media, directly or indirectly,
9 
whether as a principal occupation or otherwise, such as, but not
10 
limited to, reporters, journalists, correspondents, broadcast news
11 
analysts, writers and authors, editors, and photographers; and
12 
2) Workers in the audio-visual production, such as, but not limited to,
13 
director, assistant director, director of photography, production
14 
designer, production manager/unit production manager, location
15 
manager, technical crew, department heads, department crew, on-
16 
camera performers, and talents; and
17 
(b) Media and Entertainment Industry consists of persons, whether natural or
18 
juridical, engaged in film, television, radio broadcast, print, or theater productions.
19 
Sec. 4. Mandatory Written Contract- Prior to the commencement of any work,
20 
it shall be mandatory for the worker and the media or entertainment entity to enter
21 
into a written contract detailing the terms of their engagement. The contract shall be
22 
in a language understood by both parties and shall, at the minimum, contain the
23 
following:
24 
(a) Itemization of all work and/or services to be provided by the worker and
25 
the terms and conditions of the engagement;
26 
(b) The rate and method of compensation, the date on which salaries and/or
27 
wages shall be paid, or mechanisms by which such due date shall be
28 
determined, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations;
29 
(c) The name and registered address of all parties, and in the case of a foreign
30 
or foreign-based entity, the name and address of the local agent or


1 
representative, or any duly acknowledged representative based in the
2 
Philippines; and
3 
(d) Other terms and conditions that govern the performance of the mutual
4 
obligations of the parties that are not contrary to law, morals, good customs,
5 
public order, or public policy.
6 
In case of failure to enter into a written agreement, the media or entertainment
7 
entity or the hiring party shall be liable for a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos
8 
(Phpl0,000.00) to One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Phpl00,000.00), depending on
9 
the amount of the agreement involved; Provided, That in the absence of a written
10 
agreement, any written exchange or proof of submission and receipt of the
11 
completed task, work or service subject of the engagement, whether electronic or
12 
printed, shall be sufficient basis for collection of compensation or payment; Provided,
13 
finally. That the absence of a written agreement shall not be a bar to the collection
14 
of compensation and/or payment for the services or work rendered by the media or
15 
entertainment worker.
16 
Sec. 5. Compensation and Terms of Work - Regardless of the nature of
17 
engagement, pay and related benefits of media and entertainment workers shall not
18 
be lower than the minimum standards, as provided by laws.
19 
Sec. 6. Hours of Work-Ihe normal hours of work shall not exceed eight (8)
20 
hours, except when the exigencies of the service so require. In such a case, the
21 
maximum hours of work shall not exceed sixteen (16) hours in any twenty-four (24)
22 
hour period. However, for elderly workers, the maximum hours of work shall not
23 
exceed twelve (12) hours per day, while work hours of children shall adhere to the
24 
provisions of Republic Act No. 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children Against Child
25 
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act", and Republic Act No. 9231 or the
26 
"Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for
27 
the Working Child Act". All hours spent by workers required or suffered to be on
28 
standby and are restricted to the confines of the workplace or work premises, or are
29 
required or engaged to wait shall be considered hours worked and compensable
30 
waiting time.


1 
Sec. 7. Overtime Work and Night Shift Differential Pay. - In all cases, media and
2 
entertainment workers shall be entitled to, in accordance with law or applicable
3 
collective bargaining agreement, whichever is higher, overtime pay for work rendered
4 
beyond the eight (8) hours normal work per day and to nightshift differential for work
5 
rendered between 10:00 o'clock in the evening to 6:00 o'clock in the morning the
6 
following day.
7 
Sec. 8. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards. - All entities in the
8 
media and entertainment industry shall comply with the provisions of Republic Act No.
9 
11058, otherwise known as "An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational
10 
Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof." For this
11 
purpose, the media or entertainment entity who is in charge of, or manages, controls,
12 
or supervises the work being undertaken, and who has direct or indirect control over
13 
the workplace shall undertake the following:
14 
(a) Observance of occupational safety and health standards, in accordance with
15 
law and pertinent rules and regulations of the Department of Labor and
16 
Employment (DOLE);
17 
(b) Mandatory presence of OSH personnel;
18 
(c) Creation of Safety and Health Committee, as provided under Republic Act
19 
No. 11058;
20 
(d) Conduct of safety operation;
21 
(e) Provision of first aid;
22 
(f) Provision of personal protective equipment;
23 
(g) Conduct of risk assessment;
24 
(h) Preparation of an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan;
25 
(i) Provision of adequate sanitary and privacy provisions; and
26 
(j) Such other requirements as may be necessary, taking into consideration the
27 
risks and/or hazards involved in the workplace and the nature of the work to be
28 
performed.
29 
In all cases, workers shall have the right to refuse unsafe work in accordance
30 
with law.


1 
For the avoidance of doubt, compliance with OSH regulations shall be equally
2 
applicable to contractors/subcontractors and block timers, or those who buy airtime
3 
from radio and television franchise holders.
4 
Sec, 9. Hazard Pay. - Media workers that are required to physically report for
5 
work in dangerous areas, such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated
6 
stations, disease-infested areas, or in areas declared under state of calamity or health
7 
emergency, which expose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic
8 
activity/eruption, occupational risks or perils to life and limb shall be provided with
9 
hazard pay, in an amount equivalent to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their
10 
basic daily wage or compensation.
11 
Micro and small enterprises, as defined under Republic Act No. 6977, as
12 
amended, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium
13 
Enterprises", may, upon proper application with the Department of Labor and
14 
Employment (DOLE), apply for an exemption for the grant of hazard pay.
15 
Sec. 10. Additional Insurance Benefits for Media Workers. - Within two (2) years
16 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DOLE, Department of Finance, National Economic
17 
Development Authority, Social Security System, Government Service Insurance
18 
System, Employees' Compensation Commission, and other relevant government
19 
agencies shall study the feasibility and submit a plan for the implementation of
20 
providing additional insurance benefit to workers in the media and entertainment
21 
industry. As far as practicable, the additional benefits shall include the following
22 
minimum benefits:
23 
(a) Death Benefit of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00) for each
24 
media worker who shall perish in the line of duty;
25 
(b) Disability Benefits of up to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 200,000.00)
26 
for each media worker who shall suffer total or partial disability, whether
27 
permanent or temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of duty;
28 
and
29 
(c) Reimbursement of actual medical expenses up to, but not to exceed. One
30 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 100,000.00) for each media worker who shall be


1 
hospitalized or who shall require medical attendance for injuries sustained while
2 
in the line of duty.
3 
Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation for the parties
4 
to agree to additional insurance coverage beyond the insurance benefits provided by
5 
law.
6 
Sec. 11. Media Workers in the Public Sector. - The Civil Service Commission
7 
shall issue the appropriate rules and regulations applicable to media workers in the
8 
public sector to ensure compliance with the rights and privileges granted to media
9 
workers under this Act, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations governing
10 
workers in the public sector. Media workers in the government service not otherwise
11 
covered by the Civil Service laws, rules, and regulations shall be entitled to the benefits
12 
provided under this Act. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and applicable
13 
civil service laws, rules, and regulations, government media entities shall prioritize the
14 
appointment to regular plantilla positions of incumbent casual, contract of service, or
15 
job order employees who have rendered exemplary and outstanding service.
16 
Sec. 12. Compliance and Reporting Requirements. - The DOLE shall be the
17 
primary agency responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Act.
18 
Compliance with labor standards shall be enforced by the DOLE Regional Office which
19 
has jurisdiction over the workplace of the media entity in accordance with the Labor
20 
Code and pertinent rules and regulations. Covered entities under this Act shall also
21 
comply with the reportorial requirements provided under Republic Act No. 11058,
22 
including, but not limited to, the notification of shooting location and schedule to the
23 
DOLE Regional Office over the shooting location, and to the Film Development Council
24 
of the Philippines, as applicable.
25 
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall be responsible for implementing the
26 
provisions of this Act in the public sector in accordance with the applicable laws, rules
27 
and regulations.
28 
Sec. 13. Responsibilities of Media Entities. - A media entity shall be responsible
29 
for all contents released under its name in accordance with law.


1 
Sec. 14. Tripartite Council. - The DOLE shall spearhead the creation of an
2 
industry tripartite council for entertainment and news media, which may be separate
3 
or as one industry. Such tripartite council/s shail serve as the platform of the industry
4 
and its stakeholders in crafting policy and programs that will affect them and the
5 
industry as a whole.
6 
Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOLE, in consultation with
7 
appropriate government agencies and relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the
8 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 120 days from the effectivity of this
9 
Act.
10 
Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If for any reason any provision or section of this
11 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such portions not affected thereby shall
12 
remain in full force and effect.
13 
Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
14 
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
15 
accordingly.
16 
Sec. 18. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
17 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,