The House passage of the media workers welfare bill would boost efforts to protect and uphold the rights and welfare of journalists and other practitioners in the field, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Tuesday.

Andanar lauded the House of Representatives' approval of the bill that seeks to provide additional benefits and protection for media workers. House Bill No. 8140 or the proposed Media Workers Welfare Act, authored by ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Niña Taduran, received the support of  218 lawmakers.

"This brings us a step closer to realizing a law that provides protection and additional benefits for members of the media," Andanar said.

"Our continued endeavor to help push for the bill's passage is another testament to the Duterte administration’s desire to protect and uphold the rights, welfare, and safety of media workers," said.

Under the bill, Andanar said, media workers will be covered by enhanced protection, security, and benefits. It will also provide media workers security of tenure after the probationary work period of six months of continuous work. Media workers will also be entitled to wages, allowances and benefits that are provided by law to other workers.

"The PCOO sees the HOR's passage of this bill as a positive development, our office being among those who have been pushing for its swift passage," Andanar said.

He said the bill serves as another mechanism to further attain the President's goal of protecting and promoting the welfare of media workers.