Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Rep. Villafuerte's office)

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has welcomed the release of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11996, or the "Eddie Garcia Act” of 2024, which bats for stronger safeguards in the workplace and better compensation especially for the ordinary movie and television workers. 

“With the DOLE’s (Department of Labor and Employment) recent issuance of the IRR of the ‘Eddie Garcia Act', we look forward to our actors and other workers in the film and TV industry soon having a safer environment in their workplace along with proper compensation and other benefits for their unconventional work schedules,” Villafuerte, a principal author of the law, said over the weekend. 

The law covers independent contractors hired to do production work and other services like distribution and exhibition of content. It includes out-of-town shoots and/or lock-in production work that require them to stay in location sites for 24 hours straight or even for several days or months. 

President Marcos signed last May RA No.11996, the approved final House version (House Bill or HB No.1270) composed of six similar bills, including the lead measure HB No.1270 that was principally authored by Villafuerte.  

Under the IRR, film, and TV workers must be provided with contracts detailing job positions, just compensation commensurate with skills and competencies, normal working hours of eight hours and not over 14 hours or no longer than 60 hours weekly, social security benefits, and insurance against accidents at no cost to them. 

The IRR also provides the responsibilities of employers such as the provision of safe working conditions, including first aid, proper safety equipment, and regular safety meetings, as well as compliance with safety standards set under existing laws and the submission of safety programs to DOLE. 

It also requires adequate meals, safe drinking water, proper rest facilities, and accommodation to all covered workers, and slaps on IRR violators a fine ranging ranging from P100,000 to P500,000. 

Villafuerte said the law, as contained in the IRR, also prohibits any type of  discrimination based on age, gender or race, and provides for measures against physical violence, harassment and abuse in workplaces.  

There are also special regulations covering the employment of minors, as well as a reaffirmation of the right of workers to self-organization and compensation under RA No.8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. 

Villafuerte said the expected full implementation of RA No.11996 was well-timed as President Marcos issued last Oct. 5 Executive Order (EO) No. 70 in a bid to promote the development of the film industry and strengthen the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP).