Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has filed a bill granting more benefits and protection to media workers in recognition of their role in nation building.

Senate Bill 1820 or the proposed “Media Workers Welfare Act” seeks to create a basic compensation scheme for media workers and the grant of a P500 hazard pay for each day of dangerous coverage.

The measure also seeks to guarantee the security of tenure for media workers through regularization, and provide them with additional insurance benefits.

SBN 1820 proposes the creation of a News Media Tripartite Council that will serve as a link among various stakeholders and provide media workers a platform to craft policy decisions.

Sotto said media workers deserve to have a comprehensive benefits package at part with the benefits enjoyed by workers in both the government and private sector.

“It is time for the government to level up with them and provide them a safe and protected atmosphere conducive to a productive, free and fruitful media work,” he said.