Eddie Garcia of the Philippines poses with his trophy after winning the People's Choice award at the 7th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong on March 18, 2013.  Philippe Lopez, AFP/File  

MANILA – President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has signed into law Republic Act 11996 also known as the “Eddie Garcia Law”. 

The law, “An Act Protecting the Welfare of Workers in the Movie and Television Industry”, was passed by the Senate last February 19 and adopted by the House of Representatives on March 6. 

Signed on May 24, the law recognizes the economic, social, and cultural contributions to nation building of workers in the movie and television industry. 

It mandates a regular review of the working conditions in the industry to ensure that workers are provided opportunities for gainful employment, decent income, and protection from abuse, harassment, hazardous working conditions and economic exploitation.

It ensures that industry workers get the hours of work, wages and other wage related benefits, social security and welfare  benefits, basic necessity, health and safety, working conditions and standards and insurance in all applicable laws.

It mandates the execution of an agreement or employment contract in a language or dialect understood by all parties. It specifies what the contract should have.

The law bans discrimination based on race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, or religion for employment. 

It mandates an 8-hour workday, which can be extended to 14 hours at most. It caps work at 60 hours per week. 

For workers requiring special effects make-up like prosthetics, the first 2 hours shall not be considered working hours. Work hours shall include waiting times and travel time for out of town projects. 

Workers will be entitled to overtime pay if they work beyond 8 hours a day. 

The employer or principal shall provide a rest period of not less than 10 hours in between workdays. If a scheduled shoot is canceled less than 8 hours before schedule, all workers must be paid. The employer or principal shall cover transportation expenses.

The minimum wage shall not be less than the applicable minimum wage in the region. All workers shall be covered by the Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

Employers and principals must provide basic necessities like nutritious meals, safe drinking water, facilities for persons with disability, private and separate dressing rooms for men and women, holding areas, accommodation for out of town projects, safety officers, and dedicated vehicles for emergency purposes 

Sen. Robin Padilla and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who are both actors, welcomed the approval.

"A very good news came to us today. Eddie Garcia Law is now a law - Republic Act No. 11996. Thank you very much to our sponsor Senator Jinggoy Estrada and to my fellow Senators," Padilla said. "Long live the Filipino television and film industry. This is for you." 

The new law “is a significant milestone in protecting and promoting the welfare of industry stakeholders,” Estrada said. 

“Finally, we have a law that ensures better safety and working conditions for industry workers, regulates working hours, mandates welfare benefits, provides insurance coverage, and grants the right to collective bargaining. Additionally, it paves the way for the creation of a Movie and Television Tripartite Council to facilitate dialogue and improvements in the industry,” he said. 

“In honoring the memory of Eddie Garcia, a name synonymous with excellence, his enduring legacy is now enshrined in this groundbreaking legislation,” he added. 

Garcia died in 2019 at age 90 after suffering a neck injury during the shooting of a show.

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House leaders also welcomed the approval of the Eddie Garcia Law.

“The tragic loss of Eddie Garcia, a beloved icon in our film and television world, underscored the urgent need for stronger protections for our industry workers. His legacy has inspired us to take action and ensure that no worker has to face unsafe working condition,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

“For ordinary Filipinos, this law means more than just new rules and regulations. It means that their safety, their rights, and their well-being are being taken seriously. It means that when they step onto a set, they can do their jobs with the confidence that they are protected and valued,” he added.

The family of the late actor, through his stepson 1-PACMAN Party List Representative Mikee Romero, thanked Marcos for signing the Eddie Garcia Bill into law.

“We would like to express our deep gratitude to the President for honoring the life of Manong Eddie, Manoy to family and friends, and his contributions to the entertainment industry,” Romero said.

He said the accident and Garcia’s death highlighted the need for safer workplaces for entertainment industry workers, many of whom are self-employed. 

“Manong Eddie’s untimely death was not in vain with the enactment of the law bearing his name,” the lawmaker added.