Marcos signs ‘Eddie Garcia Law’ to improve safety and well-being of film, TV workers
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law strengthening workplace protection for movie and television industry professionals.
The Republic Act 11996 or the “Eddie Garcia Law”, signed last May 24, was named after veteran actor Eddie Garcia, who passed away on June 20, 2019 after getting into an accident while shooting.
The law aims to support fair labor practices in film and TV, requiring employers to provide workers with a healthy work environment. It mandates that employers and employees shall have a signed agreement or employment contract in a language or dialect understood by both parties before the commencement of service.
“No agreement or employment contract shall discriminate against a worker who has contracts or projects with other production outfits unless exclusivity is specified in the contract, nor shall any person perform any act involving preference based on race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, or religion, which has the purpose or effect of nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise on an equal footing of any human right or fundamental freedom,” it stated.
Aside from that, the Eddie Garcia Law established guidelines for work hours, pay, benefits, social welfare benefits, basic necessities, health and safety, working conditions and standards, and insurance.
The work hours shall be based on the terms and conditions set in the contract as agreed upon. Employees may work up to 8 to 14 hours per day, and shall not exceed 60 hours per week. It shall also include the wait times and travel time for out-of-town shoots. A rest period of not less than 10 hours between work days must also be followed.
If a scheduled shoot is canceled less than 8 hours before the said time, all workers are entitled to compensation. Additionally, if their work hours exceed 8 hours, they are entitled to overtime pay "unless it is already incorporated in the agreement or employment contract which stipulates a higher compensation."
The law also ensures workers are paid fairly and on time, and that they are covered by and entitled to benefits provided by the Social Security System (SSS), the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
It is also stated in the law that employers shall fully comply with occupational health and safety regulations. Safety risk officers must conduct a "risk assessment of the workplace or location of production."
Those who violate any section of the law shall be fined up to P100,000 for the first offense; up to P200,000 for the second offense; and up to P500,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.
“If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the fines shall be imposed upon the entity’s responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the executive producer, producer, production manager, and business unit manager,” it added.
Garcia's partner, Olivia Lagman Romero, stated in a press release last March that the proposed 'Eddie Garcia Law' reflects the legendary actor's lifelong dream: "to enhance the local entertainment industry and uplift the lives of those working behind it."
She said, “The significant, tragic accident that led to Eddie Garcia’s untimely demise was not in vain. It served a purpose and paved the way to achieve a noble end.”
“This is Manoy’s [Garcia's nickname] best gift and lasting contribution to the Philippine entertainment industry, which he loved and served well for 70 years,” she added.
Garcia died at the age of 90 after suffering a neck cervical injury after tripping on a cable on the set for his supposed GMA teleserye comeback in 2019. He was comatose for 12 days before passing away on June 20.