After the conviction of the principal suspects in the Ampatuan Massacre case where thirty two (32) media men were killed, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar is pushing for House Bill No. 2476, also known as the “Media Workers’ Welfare Act” (MWWA) this coming year and commended the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) for taking the lead in pushing its enactment.
“If you can elect councilors, mayors, vice-mayors, congressmen, senators, presidents, why are we not able to get a win for ourselves?” Andanar asked during a briefing with media practitioners in Baguio City on December 21.
The PTFoMS Co-Chair also appealed to media workers to be united and supportive in expediting the passage of the MWWA into a law among legislators.
He explained: “Our fellow media, especially in the provinces, have a high economic vulnerability. They become blocktimers. They look for supporters, sponsors, and more often than not these sponsors are politicians. If the politicians ask them to criticize an opponent, the latter becomes angry or annoyed. If it cannot be talked over, they’ll just shoot you.”
Andanar said that the proposed measure also ensures capacity in the availment of housing programs, regular employment, job security, and health benefits.
“This administration is working very hard to protect every media worker in this country who is threatened, and is also going after the criminals who have assassinated or killed other media workers,” Andanar said.
“In 2020, we will see to it that each media worker covered by the passage of the Media Workers Welfare Act will be entitled to humane conditions of work and a living wage, motivate and encourage them to perform their duties truthfully in a safe and protected working environment,” Andanar added.
“House Bill no. 2476 complements President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Administrative Order No. 1 (AO1) which created the PTfoMS, the government agency mandated to protect the life, liberty, and security of media workers,” commented PTFoMS Executive Director USec. Jose Joel Sy Egco. “Responsible journalism comes from professional, ethical media workers who are dedicated in doing their jobs. Their invaluable contributions should be recognized. Therefore, PTFoMS will continue to push for the Media Workers Welfare Act of the Anti-Crime and Terrorism – Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) partylist representative Rowena Niña Taduran, a fellow journalist before she took her oath in Congress.”
“Let us put our differences aside, extend the hand of friendship and link arms in pushing for the Media Workers Welfare Act,” Egco added. “It’s now urgent to look into the welfare of media workers. The journalists who were killed in the Ampatuan Massacre practically lived with nothing and died with nothing…not even a decent hazard pay or insurance package.”
It will be recalled on July 17 this year, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the PTFoMS and the ACT-CIS. The MOA highlights the combined efforts of the Task Force and partylist toward the enactment of the MWWA and other measures for the benefit of media workers.
“During this season of giving, the Duterte administration will continue to strive for better services to all Filipinos, for us to achieve overall development and success. This year prepares us to continue undertaking necessary government programs, reforms, and actions to attain our goals as we aim for a better Philippines. “
“To all media workers, our fellow public servants, we thank you for your support, commitment, time and efforts to provide and be of service to all Filipinos. With the passage of the Media Workers’ Welfare Act, we will indeed have a very Happy New Year,” Andanar said in closing.
