Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde called on the House leadership to start deliberations on a bill seeking to provide mandatory insurance coverage and hazard pay to journalists.
His call came amid the death of journalist Percival Mabasa, more popularly known as Percy Lapid, who was gunned down last October 3 in Las Piñas.
Atayde emphasized the role that journalists play in keeping the country’s citizens informed about current events, and how they are exposed to various dangers because of this.
The hard-hitting journalist was the host of “Lapid Fire.”
“Percy Lapid’s death underscores just how precarious the situation of our journalists is. Even as we condemn his murder and call for justice, we must act to ensure that we protect journalists and their families from the hazards of their profession,” Atayde said.
House Bill No. 5196 or the “Journalists Protection Act of 2022,” pushes for the provision of insurance benefits for journalists and employees of media entities on field assignments on top of their enrollment to the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System.
Atayde emphasized the role that journalists play in keeping the country’s citizens informed about current events, and how they are exposed to various dangers because of this.
In his explanatory note, Atayde said that if the country is to protect its democracy, “we need to signify our support for our press and promote measures that give them assurances that their courage and sacrifice are not unappreciated.”
The additional insurance, which shall be provided by the media entities, shall give the following minimum benefits:
- disability benefit of P350,000 for all mass media practitioners who suffer a partial or total disability, whether permanent or temporary, while on duty;
- death benefit of P300,000 for employees who perish in the line of duty;
- and reimbursement of actual medical costs up to P200,000 for employees on field assignment who are hospitalized or require medical assistance for injuries sustained while on duty.
The SSS and GSIS would also be mandated to create a special insurance program for freelance journalists that shall include, among others, a coverage of risks incurred while working in war zones, conflict-stricken, and calamity-affected areas.
Journalists deployed in areas that expose them to danger and other occupational risks would also be entitled to tax-exempt hazard pay equivalent to at least 25 percent of their gross monthly basic salary for the duration of their deployment.
Journalists deployed in areas that expose them to danger and other occupational risks would also be entitled to tax-exempt hazard pay equivalent to at least 25 percent of their gross monthly basic salary for the duration of their deployment.
Media entities that are found to have violated the provisions of the measure would be penalized with a fine of P300,000-P500,000 or imprisonment of 1 to 6 years, or both upon the court’s discretion.
