‘Eddie Garcia Bill’ approved on subcommittee level in House

MANILA, Philippines — A bill which seeks to institute workplace safety protocols in television and movie production has been approved in the subcommittee level in the House of Representatives.

The House subcommittee on labor standards has approved the Actors’ Occupational Safety and Health Standard Bill, also known as the “Eddie Garcia Bill,” in honor of Garcia who died following an accident while taping for a television series.

1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mike Romero, Garcia’s stepson and one of the co-authors of the bill, said he anticipates the swift and prudent approval at committee level as well as at the plenary floor.

“The Eddie Garcia bill assumes even greater importance and significance now given the workplace safety issues that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Romero said in a statement Wednesday.

“Workers and employers throughout the creative industries can gain much from implementing this measure when it is finally enacted into law. Safety first must be the rule not just in the construction and engineering fields, but in all career sectors, including the creative industries,” the lawmaker added.

Under Romero’s version of the bill, all members of the film, television, and theatre industry shall be provided with an insurance coverage plan while working hours shall be between eight to 12 hours only, including waiting hours between takes.

Romero’s bill further states that safety and medical personnel shall also be deployed in all workplaces and areas during the entire conduct of working hours. In case of accidents on set, the corporation or producer in contract with, shall pay the full hospitalization bill of its worker.

Romero’s bill was consolidated with other related measures filed by other lawmakers before it was approved.

Garcia passed away in June 2019.

The 90-year-old veteran actor and director was in critical condition due to a neck fracture after he tripped while shooting a TV series for GMA Network on June 8.

EDV