CEBU CITY – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar welcomed the passage of the Media Workers Welfare Bill on third and final reading at the House of Representatives, a step closer to realizing a law that provides protection and additional benefits for members of the media.

“We laud ACT-CIS Rep. Niña Taduran who authored the bill as well as the 218 congressmen who voted in favor of House Bill 8140 or the proposed Media Workers Welfare Act,” Andanar said in a statement released to media Tuesday here during the “Explain, Explain, Explain: Pagduaw sa Cebu ug Mandaue,” the kick-off of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination information campaign.

The PCOO sees the passage of the bill as a positive development as it is among those who have been pushing for its swift passage. Andanar added that through this bill, media workers will be covered by enhanced protection, security, and benefits.

“It will also guarantee media workers security of tenure after the probationary work period of six months of continuous service. 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,” the PCOO said.

The bill proposes that wages, allowances, and benefits be given to media workers along with their mandatory subscription to the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. upon employment.

Through the support of the Duterte administration, Andanar said he hopes that the bill serves as another mechanism, much like the Freedom of Information and the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, that will help further achieve President Duterte’s goal of protecting and promoting the welfare of media workers.