Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7) —Following the recent killing of a radio broadcaster, a lawmaker on Monday pushed for the approval of Senate Bill No. 2335 or the Journalist Protection Act to provide mandatory additional insurance benefits to all media personnel, permanent and freelance journalists.
“I filed this bill because I recognize the hazard that comes with the journalism profession. Yet, it still comes as disheartening to know the killing of Mr. Juan Jumalon while practicing his profession,” Senator Mark Villar said in a statement, referring to the bill he filed in July.
The lawmaker condoled with the family of radio broadcaster Jumalon, who was shot as he was airing his program live in his own home in Misamis Occidental on Sunday morning.
READ: Personal motive possibly behind killing of radio broadcaster, police say
READ: Broadcaster in Misamis Occidental shot dead while on air
The bill that is pending at the committee level covers all permanent, temporary, contractual, and casual journalists employed by media entities in the country, as well as freelance journalists.
In addition to insurance coverage under the Social Security System (SSS) and by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the bill calls for the following additional insurance benefits to be provided by media entities to journalists on field assignment and front-line media persons:
‣Disability benefits amounting to ₱350,000 for all mass media practitioners who will suffer total or partial disability caused by injury sustained while on duty.
‣Death benefit of ₱300,000 when the journalist dies in the line of duty.
‣Reimbursement of medical costs up to ₱200,000 for injuries sustained while on duty.
“The media entity shall have the option of selecting the insurance company and shall be responsible for paying the insurance premiums for their journalists and employees,” the bill stated.
For freelance journalists, the bill seeks to create a special insurance program through SSS and GSIS that will cover risks involved in “war zones, conflict-stricken areas, and calamity-affected places.”
“Through this bill, we are hoping to extend our help to journalists and their families in bridging the costs and burden of disabilities and worst, death, in this field,” Villar concluded.
