Estrada hails signing of Eddie Garcia Law IRR
SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada hailed the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11996, popularly known as the "Eddie Garcia Act," saying the recently enacted law ensures comprehensive protection for workers in the movie and television industry. "It will no longer work to ignore complaints of abuse, whether it is physical violence, harassment or activities that degrade the dignity of the worker, because it is stated in Section 14 of the law that there must be implemented policies, rules and regulations by provision of Republic Act 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, even Republic Act 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, and Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act," he said, following the signing of the IRR on Monday. Republic Act 11996 mandates employers to provide workers and independent contractors with a copy of their contract, including the job position and description, length of employment, hours of work, details of compensation and grievance mechanism. Under the law, workers are entitled to wage-related and government-mandated benefits such as Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. It likewise mandates an eight-hour workday, which can be extended to 14 hours. In no case shall the number of work hours be more than 60 in a week. Workers will be paid overtime for work exceeding eight hours a day unless it is already incorporated into the employment contract, which stipulates a higher compensation. Republic Act 11996 also prohibits any form of discrimination in employment. "This is the fulfillment of a decade when my beloved colleagues in the world of television and film dreamed of being given adequate protection for their welfare and rights. Peculiar and unique when considering the movie and TV industry because of the length of time they spend in their work that often puts their safety and health in jeopardy," Estrada said. "But not now. Since we already have the Eddie Garcia Law, we have enacted reforms that will be implemented in the movie and TV industry, as well as standards and rules that will ensure the condition of the industry people," he added.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada hailed the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11996, popularly known as the "Eddie Garcia Act," saying the recently enacted law ensures comprehensive protection for workers in the movie and television industry.
"It will no longer work to ignore complaints of abuse, whether it is physical violence, harassment or activities that degrade the dignity of the worker, because it is stated in Section 14 of the law that there must be implemented policies, rules and regulations by provision of Republic Act 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, even Republic Act 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, and Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act," he said, following the signing of the IRR on Monday.
Republic Act 11996 mandates employers to provide workers and independent contractors with a copy of their contract, including the job position and description, length of employment, hours of work, details of compensation and grievance mechanism.
Under the law, workers are entitled to wage-related and government-mandated benefits such as Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
It likewise mandates an eight-hour workday, which can be extended to 14 hours. In no case shall the number of work hours be more than 60 in a week. Workers will be paid overtime for work exceeding eight hours a day unless it is already incorporated into the employment contract, which stipulates a higher compensation. Republic Act 11996 also prohibits any form of discrimination in employment.
"This is the fulfillment of a decade when my beloved colleagues in the world of television and film dreamed of being given adequate protection for their welfare and rights. Peculiar and unique when considering the movie and TV industry because of the length of time they spend in their work that often puts their safety and health in jeopardy," Estrada said.
"But not now. Since we already have the Eddie Garcia Law, we have enacted reforms that will be implemented in the movie and TV industry, as well as standards and rules that will ensure the condition of the industry people," he added.
