1-Pacman party-list improves PH’s safety culture

𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐖 𝐈𝐑𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆. Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma shows the text of Department Order No. 246 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11996 or the Eddie Garcia Law at the Occupational Safety and Health Center on September 30, 2024. Witnessing the ceremonial signing are (from left to right) Atty. Josabeth Alonso representing the employers’ sector, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, House Committee on Labor and Employment Chair Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles, Rep. Michael Romero, and Rep. Juan Carlos C. Atayde.

The passage of the Eddie Garcia Law or Republic Act 11996 and the approval of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) have helped improve the nation’s safety culture.

This is one of the assessments of beneficiaries of the law, which seeks to protect and promote the welfare of workers in the movie and television industries.

During his term as 1-Pacman party-list congressman, Mikee Romero was a principal author of the Eddie Garcia Law. He acted swiftly to check safeguards on the safety of workers in the movie and television industries.

The law was named after movie icon Eddie Garcia, who died of complications following an accident at a movie set.

RA 11996 requires employers to conduct risk assessment of the workplace or location of production to eliminate or control potential hazards to workers. It also mandates the provision of adequate meals, water, accessible sanitary facilities, and lawful compensation, including the detailing of those covered by cancellations of scheduled work.

In the coming weeks, organizers of Philippine film festivals will hold their annual competitions, highlighting the trailblazing and far-reaching benefits of the Eddie Garcia Law.

The law gains more significance as it joins other measures promoting and supporting the development of Philippine creative industries.

The Eddie Garcia Law is among the 144 laws sponsored by 1-Pacman party-list during its three terms in the House of Representatives. Romero also presented over 1,000 bills aimed at improving the plight of Filipinos in various walks of life.

Romero headed the committee of poverty alleviation in the 19th Congress and served as House Deputy Speaker from 2019 to 2022.

The excellent record in service by 1-Pacman party-list is up for the Filipino people’s consideration in the coming selection for the next Congress with Milka Romero as the first nominee, Bobby Pacquiao as the second nominee, and Shey Sakaluran Mohammad as the third nominee.

A culture for safety is upheld with a collective and continuous commitment of leaders and managers to emphasize safety over other goals such as meeting deadlines and generating profit.