Romualdez: ‘Eddie Garcia’ law lets Filipino creatives do job safely

MANILA, Philippines — The signing of Republic Act No. 11996, or the Eddie Garcia law allows Filipino creatives to now do their jobs confidently because of the safeguard it brings, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday.

In a statement, Romualdez said that Garcia’s legacy has inspired people to address concerns in the workplace of Filipino workers in film and other creative sets.

Garcia, a veteran actor, died in June 2019 while filming for a teleserye. The actor was in the middle of shooting a scene when he tripped over a cable wire, leading to a fractured neck.

READ: Eddie Garcia passes away

“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 conditions. The ‘Eddie Garcia Law’ is our promise to do better by our actors, crew members, and everyone who brings our stories to life,” he said.

“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.

Romualdez’s statement came after it was reported that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had signed R.A. No. 11966 or the Eddie Garcia law.

Under the law, there will be a mandated number of working hours, wages, and other non-wage benefits for movie and television workers.  Workers and employers must also have an agreement executed in a language or dialect that is understood by both parties.

Employers violating the law may face a fine of up to P100,000 for the first offense, P200,000 for the second offense, and up to P500,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.

READ: Marcos signs ‘Eddie Garcia’ law

“Congress came together to pass this bill because we believe in the importance of every worker’s dignity. The entertainment industry is a vital part of our culture and economy, and it’s high time we ensure that those who work tirelessly to entertain us are given the respect and security they deserve,” Romualdez said.

In December 2019, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ordered GMA Network Inc. and several others to pay an administrative fine of P890,000 in connection to Garcia’s death.

READ: GMA, other firms fined P890K over accident leading to Eddie Garcia’s death

During an investigation, the DOLE found out that the network committed three violations of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law:

• Not submitting an incident report within 24 hours from the time of the accident
• Not providing a safety officer
• Not providing a first-aid responder