PNRC grants insurance benefits to NPC

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) shall be inked today (Jan. 14) between the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the National Press Club (NPC) granting insurance benefits to mediamen covering disaster and conflict-stricken areas.

The MOA shall be signed between PNRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sen. Richard J.. Gordon and NPC President Benny Antiporda in a simple ceremony to be held at the PNRC Headquarters, at 10 am.

Also expected to attend are Secretary General Corazon Alma de Leon, Deputy Secretary General Gwen Pang, and other NPC officers, directors and members.

Gordon said all 1,200 bonafide NPC members all over the Philippines will be enrolled in the PNRC as "Platinum Members". Media practitioners assigned to cover disasters and conflicts will be entitled to an insurance package of up to P300,000.

"The PNRC grants these insurance packages to our mediamen in recognition of their invaluable role of providing us with timely and relevant information during times of national emergency and crisis," he said.

Gordon explained that the insurance package would cover benefits for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment; and unprovoked murder and assault amounting to P300,000 provided by Prudential Guarantee and Assurance Inc.

The Platinum category also covers benefits for accidental medical reimbursement up to P10,000; burial assistance (as a result of accident) worth P5,000; and daily hospital allowance (maximum of 60 days) worth P200 per day.

"Under the agreement, there will be no out-of-the-pocket expenses for media practitioners and their legal dependents availing themselves of the insurance benefits," Gordon pointed out.

The senator explained that through the MOA signing, a stronger partnership between the PNRC and the NPC will also be forged as the Red Cross would provide NPC with updates of its activities and operations thru its communications department.

Meanwhile, the NPC would exert its best efforts to cover all of PNRC's rescue and relief activities, extend help in disseminating information during times of disasters, and assist in raising funds and awareness for the PNRC's various programs.

The NPC also pledged to encourage its members to donate blood by organizing its own Mass Blood Donation activity among its members.

"Our friends in the media have been with us in many of our activities in Red Cross, especially in our relief and rescue operations during typhoons, landslides and even conflicts in Mindanao. They are our invaluable partners," he said.

In his first term in the Senate, Gordon always took the floor to fight against violations of the rights of Filipino journalists and condemn the continued killings of media practitioners in the country, especially in the provinces.