Senator Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking to provide hazard pay and expanded insurancecoverage to media workers assigned to dangerous areas and emergency situations, his office said on Tuesday, September 8.
Senate Bill No. 2440, or the proposed Media Workers Hazard Pay Act, would require employers to provide at least P650 in daily hazard pay to accredited media workers in the public and private sectors who are required to report in areas affected by armed conflict, disease outbreaks or disasters, as well as distressed or remote stations.
The bill, filed by Villar on September 2, would cover the duration of a worker’s hazardous assignment. Workers who already receive an equivalent or higher benefit would not be entitled to separate hazard pay under the proposed measure.
The measure would also require additional insurance coverage for covered media workers, including:
A P200,000-peso death benefit for a worker who dies while performing official duties;
Up to P200,000 pesos in disability benefits for total or partial, permanent or temporary disability resulting from work-related injuries; and
Up to P100,000 pesos in medical insurance benefits.
The bill also seeks additional compensation for media workers required to work beyond eight hours a day or between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., in accordance with existing laws and recognized industry practices.
Villar cited incidents involving journalists working in hazardous conditions to support the proposed measure.
In 2022, a television reporter was hospitalized for nearly two weeks after contracting leptospirosis while covering an incident in Payatas, Quezon City, according to Villar. In 2024, a reporter assigned to provide weather updates was caught in flooding in her community and nearly lost her equipment, he said.
‘Media workers serve as the eyes and ears of the public during times of severe crises and danger,’ Villar said, adding that workers who face risks while reporting should receive protection, insurance and hazard pay.
The senator said reporters, camera operators, technical personnel and other media workers provide information on disasters and emergencies, including official warnings, preparedness measures and emergency hotlines.
‘Behind every live report from a flooded community, an area affected by armed conflict, or a location experiencing a disease outbreak is a media worker who chose to perform their duty despite the danger,’ Villar said.