Press Release
July 10, 2019

"Eddie Garcia Law" to ensure occupational safety for movie, television workers - Sen. Bong Revilla

Sen. Bong Revilla on Monday filed the "Eddie Garcia Bill" which seeks to provide Occupational Health and Safety Standards (OSHS) for Movie and Television Workers in the country.

The veteran senator named the bill as a tribute to the showbiz legend who he considers as a friend, colleague and mentor for many years.

On June 8, Eddie Garcia accidentally tripped over a cable wire during the shoot of his latest teleserye. After obtaining a fatal neck and cervical injury, the 90-year-old veteran actor went into a coma for 12 days until his death on June 20.

Revilla believes that Garcia's untimely demise serves as an eye opener on the need to enact a law that will cater to the specific needs of the industry, thus ensuring strict compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards towards achieving a better working condition for workers/talents in the industry.

"Isa si Tito Eddie sa mga haligi natin sa industriya kaya nakakalungkot na nawala sa atin ang isang buhay na alamat ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Hindi na ito dapat masundan dahil kahit kasing sikat man ni Tito Eddie o kahit yung ordinaryong manggagawa sa pelikula at telebisyon, dapat siguraduhin natin na ligtas at protektado ang lahat," Revilla said.

"Showbiz is not all glamour. Madami din tayong sakripisyo. Nandyan ang erratic na oras ng trabaho, mahabang shooting, tapos iba't ibang lokasyon pa minsan kaya exposed tayo sa mga lugar at equipment na puwedeng pagmulan ng aksidente," Revilla added.

If passed into law, Revilla's bill shall strengthen the implementation of RA No. 11058 or "An Act Strengthening Compliance with OSHS and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof" under the Labor Code of the Philippines, and the Labor Advisory No. 4 s. 2016 stipulating the Working Conditions in the Movie and Television Industry issued by DOLE.

The "Eddie Garcia Bill" has five salient provisions.

Specific working conditions like hours of work, waiting time, transportation, accommodation, social welfare benefits (like PAGIBIG, Philhealth, SSS, others) shall be strictly observed.

The duties and responsibilities of the producer must be clear. Also, they must ensure that workers and talents will have full health insurance and compensation to work-related injuries, sickness and death.

A Production Safety Officer shall be hired to ensure compliance with OSHS in every movie or show being produced, conduct orientation and training of workers on occupational safety and health, enforce safe work practices, correct unsafe conditions, and investigate workplace accidents, among others.

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