MANILA, Jan. 10 -- To further safeguard the welfare of media workers, Deputy Speaker and Las Pinas Representative Camille Villar has filed a measure seeking to mandate a number of significant benefits to every practicing journalist.

In filing House Bill No. 6543, Villar said there is a need to safeguard the welfare of journalists in their news coverage.

"During important assignments, journalists face the most dangerous situations like typhoons, disasters, floods, riots, war and conflicts, to name a few, in order to deliver the news to the public," said Villar in a statement.

The lady solon also noted that some frontline journalists "accept field assignments bringing only their passion sans insurance or hazard pay although they risk the...