Manila, Sept. 7 -- A bill seeking to grant hazard pay and expanded insurance coverage to media workers assigned to dangerous areas has been filed in the Senate, providing additional protection for journalists and other media personnel working in hazardous conditions.

Senator Mark Villar, author of Senate Bill No. 2440 or the proposed "Media Workers Hazard Pay Act," said the measure would provide financial and insurance benefits to accredited media personnel carrying out assignments in areas affected by armed conflict, disasters, disease outbreaks and other emergency situations.

The proposal would benefit thousands of accredited media workers from government and private-sector organizations who are required to physically report from dan...