Andanar calls for media workers to support
passage of Media Workers' Welfare Act
BAGUIO CITY, Dec. 22 -- It’s high
time for media workers to take winning the side of their own welfare, said
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar
on Friday as he called for support on the passage of Media Workers’ Welfare
Act.
“Ang panawagan ko sa inyong lahat,
sa lahat ng kabaro natin, tingnan ho natin yung posibilidad na supportahan yung
Media Workers’ welfare act (I am calling for everyone to look into supporting
the Media Workers’ Welfare Act),” said Secretary Andanar, a former broadcaster,
during a media engagement in Baguio City on Friday.
Secretary Andanar said that the
Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has vowed to support the
proposed bill submitted to Congress early this year and sponsored by the
ACT-CIS partylist.
“Kung kaya niyong magpapanalo ng
kosehal, kayang magppanalo ng mayor, vice mayor, congressman, senador,
presidente eh bakit tayo di natin kaya ipanalo sarili natin? (If you can elect
councilors, mayors, vice-mayors, congressmen, senators, presidents, why are we
not able to get a win for ourselves?),’” he said.
The PCOO chief said that the
proposed bill will help address the economic vulnerabilities of media workers,
especially in some provinces where broadcasters have meager opportunities to
earn. He also mentioned journalists who take on blocktiming.
“Yung mga kabaro po natin sa ibang
mga lugar, sa ibang probinsya po ay napakataas ng economic vulnerability (For
our fellow media, in other places, in provinces, have high economic
vulnerability),” Secretary Andanar said.
“Sila ay nagiging blocktimer, pag
nagblock time sila, kukuha sila ng supporter, sponsors, more than often ay
politiko po yung sponsor. Kung uutusan sila politiko na titirahin yung kabilang
kampo. Magagalit, mabu-bwisit. Eh, kung hindi ka madaan sa usapan eh bala ang
katapat (They become blocktimers, they look for supporters, sponsors, more than
often the sponsors are politicians. If the politicians ask them to criticize an
opponent. They become angry or annoyed. If it cannot be talked over, they'll
just shoot you),” he added.
The PCOO chief further said that
the bill is comprehensive, covering not only the general welfare, but also
ensuring 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
also to go after the criminals who have assassinated or killed other media
workers,” he said. (PCOO)