The Eddie Garcia Bill was approved on the subcommittee level in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, August 20. The Bill, which is also called the Actors’ Occupational Safety and Health Standard Bill, was filed following the death of Eddie Garcia in 2019 after an accident took place while he was shooting a television series.
According to 1-Pacman Partylist Rep. Mikee Romero, one of the co-authors of the Bill and stepson of the late veteran actor, the Bill aims to protect the people in the entertainment industry.
“The Eddie Garcia Bill assumes even greater importance and significance now given the workplace safety issues that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday, August 19.
“Workers and employers throughout the creative industries can gain much from implementing this measure when it is finally enacted into law. Safety first must be the rule not just in the construction and engineering fields, but in all career sectors, including the creative industries,” he added.
Rep. Mikee's version of the Bill will cover all members of the film, television, and theater industry. It will impose an eight to 12 working hour limit and aim to provide workers within the industry with insurance coverage. Safety and medical personnel will also be required in all workplace locations.
The Bill also states that in case an accident occurs on set, producers will have to cover the hospitalization of those involved.
Eddie passed away in June last year after suffering from a neck injury.
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