Senate bill seeks P650 daily hazard pay, insurance for media workers

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 08, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate bill is seeking to provide hazard pay, insurance coverage and additional compensation to media workers assigned to dangerous or high-risk areas.

Senator Mark Villar filed Senate Bill No. 2440, or the proposed Media Workers Hazard Pay Act, which would cover accredited media personnel from both government and private media organizations.

Under the measure, qualified media workers would receive a minimum P650 daily hazard pay when assigned to areas affected by armed conflict, disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, states of calamity or other emergency situations.

The benefit would apply for the entire duration of the hazardous assignment and could not be reduced. Media workers who already receive hazard compensation equal to or higher than P650 per day would not receive a separate payment under the bill.

The proposal would also require employers to provide additional insurance coverage for covered workers.

This includes a P200,000 death benefit for media personnel who die while performing their duties, up to P200,000 in disability compensation for injuries sustained on the job, and up to P100,000 in medical insurance coverage.

The bill also seeks additional compensation for media workers required to work beyond the standard eight-hour shift or between 10PM and 6AM, subject to existing labor laws and industry practices.

Villar said the measure is intended to provide stronger protection for journalists, camera operators, technical staff and other media personnel who are regularly deployed to dangerous locations during disasters, conflicts and emergencies.

The proposed measure will still have to go through Senate deliberations before it can advance to the House of Representatives and eventually become law.