Voting 22-0, the proposed Eddie Garcia Law—a measure that institutes policies for the protection of movie and television workers has been approved by the Senate on third and final reading on Monday, February 19.
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said that Senate Bill No. 2505, or the proposed “Eddie Garcia” law, will protect and support movie and television workers from unfair treatment and poor working conditions.
“A product of your Senate’s commitment to put forward the welfare of workers, this is our meaningful acknowledgment to them whose work are often overshadowed by the main content and star power of the main cast. We simply owe it to them,” Estrada said in his speech during Monday’s plenary session.
While the bill was pursued following the demise of legendary actor Eddie Garcia, Estrada said efforts to uplift the welfare of movie and TV workers were started 50 years ago by his father, then movie actor and San Juan Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, with the establishment of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFUND), primarily to aid industry workers, especially the underprivileged.
The bill seeks to institute a normal eight-hour work or up to a maximum of 14 hours, exclusive of meal periods, for a total of 60 hours in a week.
Senior citizens or those aged 60 years and above who have extended working periods must voluntarily execute a separate agreement in the proper form prescribed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Workers shall also be governed by an employment contract to protect their interest, which shall include, among others, pertinent details about the job and its description, as well as the work hours and commensurate rate or any applicable benefits. Those who have existing projects or contracts with other outfits should also not be discriminated against, unless exclusivity is specified.
“This measure is the Senate’s recognition of the immense talent, dedication, and contribution not just of Filipino artists, but also those behind the camera who put their heart and soul to come up with material for the movie and television industry. Sila ‘yung mga walang mukha, at madalas, sa end credits lang natin makikita ang kanilang mga pangalan at katungkulan (They are those without faces whose names and positions are mostly acknowledged during the end credits),” he said.
Sen. Grace Poe said that it's high time that workers behind the audio-visual industry be to put to the spotlight.
"Behind the screen are so many horror stories of long and often uncompensated work hours, avoidable accidents and unchecked hazards, and overworked but underpaid crew members and actors. The death of a dear friend and beloved icon, Eddie Garcia, due to poor working conditions in the industry was sadly not the first but it should be the last," she said.
The daugher of the late Fernando Poe Jr., Poe expressed how the successful approval of the bill is immensely personal to her.
"Hindi mabubuo ang bawat pelikula ni FPJ ng walang matinik na kontrabida na ilang beses na ginampanan ni Tito Eddie (Every FPJ film would not be complete without a charismatic villain that was portrayed numerous times by Tito Eddie)," she added.
The bill also provides for other wage-related benefits, social security, and welfare benefits ensuring better working conditions and standards as well as insurance coverage. Employers will also be mandated to provide employment contracts.
A Movie and TV Industry Tripartite Council comprised of representatives from the government, employers, and workers in the movie and TV industry shall also be created, Estrada said.