Marcos thanks Congress for 'Eddie Garcia Law'

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday hailed and expressed gratitude to lawmakers for its passage of the ''Eddie Garcia Law'' that will protect the welfare of workers in the movie and television industry.

“This puts in place measures to protect [the] workers of the movie and television industry—an industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people and generates billions of income annually,” Marcos said during the ceremonial signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act in Malacañang.

“It mandates movie and television employers to ensure safe and humane working conditions, provide benefits and services for their workers’ security and well-being, and to adhere to a strict set of standards that are in accordance with the Labor Code," he added.

Signed on May 24, 2024, Republic Act 11996 or the “Eddie Garcia Law” stemmed from the death of Filipino movie icon Eddie Garcia. The late actor figured in an accident while shooting for a television show.

The law mandates that the worker and the employer or principal shall execute an agreement or an employment contract in a language or dialect understood by both parties before the commencement of service.

Under the new law, the workers shall be protected by their employers or principal in the workplace.

The law indicates the need for the implementation of work hours, wages and other wage-related benefits, social security and welfare benefits, basic necessity, health and safety, working conditions and standards, and insurance.

Aside from this law, Marcos also mentioned the launching of the Sukat ng Kalikasan (SnK) framework and toolkit of the DENR last May 22 during the International Day for Biological Diversity, which is the start of the implementation of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) Law.

Marcos said this was essential to achieving a balance between economic planning and environmental protection.

“The SnK framework is a tool for the effective management of our natural resources that is grounded on science and sufficient forward planning. It will serve as a guide amidst climate change, biodiversity loss, and energy transition, and other natural phenomena that are beyond our control,” Marcos said.—RF, GMA Integrated News