PRESIDENTIAL Communications Operation Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar called on journalists to support the media welfare act that the Presidential Task Force On Media Security (PTFOMS) submitted to the Congress.
Andanar during his recent visit in Baguio City explained the need for journalists in the country to be one in supporting the move to prevent a similar occurrence of the Maguindanao massacre and other forms of violence against journalists in the country.
“My call to our fellow journalists, let us look on how to support the media workers welfare act which was submitted by the Presidential Task Force On Media Security to Congress this year because why are there journalists being killed, there are several reasons and one of the reason is we are economically vulnerable particularly in the provinces wherein they become block timers and more than often being supported by politicians who takes advantage of them by ordering them to hit on their political opponents and if not, they face the bullet,” Andanar said.
Andanar indicated among the measures incorporated in the media welfare act includes regular employment, job security, health benefits, medicare, among others.
“So how do we move forward, my simple suggestion is let us all gather together and be of one faith because if we can help put political personalities in power, why can’t we help ourselves, let’s think about that,” added Andanar.