The overbearing ways of show business superstars and prima donnas will be over under the proposed “Eddie Garcia Act” that has gained instant support after being filed in the House of Representatives.
Authored by 1Pacman party-list Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero, House Bill No. 181 or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act seeks to create occupational safety and health standards for the local film, television, and theater industry.
“The film, television, and theater industry involve a unique business, and as such, presents several unique health and safety hazards that require special attention,” said Romero.
“Under this House bill, the film, television, and theater industry are required to provide a safe workplace for all its workers and employees. Workplace safety and health protocols shall be primordial to eliminate personal injuries, illness, or even death from occurring inside the workplace,” he explained.
Entitled in honor of the memory of the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, HB 181 proposes to limit working hours on the movie set between eight to 12 hours, which already covers waiting hours in between takes, among other safety and security provisions.
Show business personalities blame the holding of long hours of taping and shooting in films to lead actors and actresses who are usually tardy in reporting to the set, thus, causing undue delays that put at risk the health of other involved actors and personnel.
Romero said setting limits for filming and taping of movies will safeguard the health of all personnel and actors on the movie set.
HB No. 181 also provides for mandatory personnel and production insurance coverage and the creation of a standard operating procedure for safety and medical emergencies on the set. (Ben Rosario)
