NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 2505
of tiK i'
23 DEC-5 PI2 :25
RHCEIVhO B;
Prepared by the Committees on Labor, Employment and Human Resources 
Development; and Public Information and Mass Media, with Senators Padilla, Lapid,
and Estrada as authors thereof.
AN ACT
PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF WORKERS IN THE MOVIE AND
TELEVISION INDUSTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Eddie Garcia Law".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to accord
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full protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of employment
4 
opportunities for all. The State recognizes the economic, social, and cultural
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contributions to nation-building of workers in the movie and television industry.
6 
Towards this end, the State should continually review the working conditions to ensure
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that workers are provided opportunities for gainful employment or work engagements
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and decent income, and are protected from abuse, harassment, hazardous working
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conditions, and economic exploitation.
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Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act applies to all workers engaged in the movie and
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television industry.
12 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term:
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a) Employer or principal refers to a person, group of persons, or an entity that
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engages or hires the services of a worker in the movie and television
15 
industry;


1 
b) Force majeure refers to an unforeseeable or unavoidable event that
2 
interrupts a television or movie production and prevents workers from
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fulfilling their obligations relative to the production;
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c) Lock-in refers to a condition or instruction where a movie and television
5 
production requires the workers to remain within workplace for twenty-four
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(24) hours or more on a continuous basis;
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d) Movie and television industry refers to any market of sound and visual
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components primarily produced, distributed, and exhibited for commercial
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purposes in movie and television including any related digital medium. It
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includes, but is not limited to movie and television network stations,
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production outfits, airtime contractors, and other necessary and related
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industry activities and services;
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e) Worker refers to any person engaged or hired by the employer or principal
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to render services involving the production, distribution, and exhibition of
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movie and television content; and
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f) Workplace refers to any location under the direct or indirect control of the
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employer or principal where the movie and television content is produced
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and where workers need to be present or to go to by reason of their work.
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Sec. 5. Protection of Workers. - The worker shall be protected by their
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employers or principal in the workplace, and shall implement the hours of work, wages
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and other wage-related benefits, social security and welfare benefits, basic necessity,
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health and safety, working conditions and standards, and insurance, as provided in
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this Act.
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Sec. 6. Agreement or Employment Contract. -The worker and the employer or
25 
principal shall execute an agreement or an employment contract in a language or
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dialect understood by both parties before the commencement of service.
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Sec. 7. Content of the Agreement or Employment Contract - The employer or
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principal shall provide the worker a copy of the duly signed contract which shall include
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the following:
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a) Job position and status;
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b) Job description;
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c) Period of employment or service;


1 
d) Details of compensation and other workers' benefits including rate, method,
2 
and schedule of payment;
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e) Authorized deductions, if any;
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f) Hours of work and proportionate additional payment or overtime pay;
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g) Board, lodging, and medical attention;
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h) Workers' grievance mechanism;
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i) Employer's or principal's policies; and
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j) Any other lawful condition agreed upon by both parties.
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Lack of verification or acknowledgement from a notary public does not affect
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the validity or enforceability of the agreement or employment contract.
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Sec. 8. Non-Discrimination Against Workers. - No agreement or employment
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contract shall discriminate against a worker who has contracts or projects with other
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production outfits unless exclusivity is specified in the contract.
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Sec. 9. Hours of Work. - The hours of work of the worker shall be based on
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the terms and conditions set in the agreement or employment contract and other
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stipulations thereto signed with the employer or principal. The following terms and
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conditions are deemed written in the agreement or employment contract:
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a) The normal work hours shall be eight (8) hours a day, which can be
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extended to a maximum of fourteen (14) hours, exclusive of meal periods.
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In no case shall the total number of work hours be more than sixty (60)
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hours in a week. It shall be applicable to all workers, except for the
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following:
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(i) Workers aged sixty (60) years and above who shall be allowed, under
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exceptional circumstances as defined by the Tripartite Council, to
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work beyond eight (8) hours but in no case exceeding fourteen (14)
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hours: Provided, That said worker voluntarily executes a separate
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agreement in the proper form prescribed by the Department of Labor
28 
and Employment (DOLE); and
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(ii) Minors whose working hours shall be in accordance with the pertinent
30 
provisions of Republic Act No. 9231, or the "Special Protection of
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Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Acf.


1 
b) Work hours include waiting time where the worker is required to stay within
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the premises of the workplace.
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c) The time during which the worker is required to work, including time spent
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on ocular work, pre-production, and post-production activities are
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considered work hours and are compensable.
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d) If a scheduled shoot is cancelled less than eight (8) hours immediately
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preceding its approved schedules, all workers engaged for the day shall be
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compensated. Workers may not be compensated in cases of cancellation
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due to force majeure.
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e) Work rendered beyond eight (8) hours shall be compensable with overtime
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pay and other benefits provided under existing laws, unless a more
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favorable rate or fee is stipulated in the contract.
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0 A night shift premium of not less than ten percent (10%) of worker's wage
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for each hour of work performed between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.,
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unless a more favorable rate or fee is stipulated in the contract.
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g) Travel to and from out-of-town projects shall be compensable: Provided,
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That the worker cannot gainfully utilize the travel time for one's own
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personal purpose, need or benefit.
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h) The employer or principal shall provide a rest period of not less than ten
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(10) hours between the end of work on one day and the beginning of work
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on the next day excluding travel time. This also applies to locked-in shoots.
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i) The employer or principal shall give notice to the worker of any
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engagement related to the contracted service not less than twenty-four
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(24) hours ahead of the schedule.
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Sec. 10. Transportation Expenses. - Transportation expenses or transport
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services, whichever is applicable, to and from out-of-town projects shall be at the
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expense of the employer or principal.
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Sec. 11. Wages. - The minimum wage of a worker shall not be less than the
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applicable minimum wage in the region where the worker is hired. Wages shall be
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paid on time, as agreed upon in the contract, directly to the worker. The employer or
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principal shall not make any deductions from the wages unless otherwise required or
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allowed by law. The employer or principal shall at all times provide the worker with a


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copy of the pay slip containing the amount paid, and indicating all deductions made,
2 
if any.
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Sec. 12. Social Security and Welfare Benefits. -The worker shall be covered by
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the Social Security System (SSS), the Home Development Mutual Fund or the Pag-
5 
IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
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The payment of SSS, Pag-IBIG Fund, and PhilHealth monthly contributions shall
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be jointly shared by the worker and the employer or principal, when applicable, in
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accordance with existing rules and regulations. In the case of independent contractor,
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he or she shall be solely responsible for the payment of premiums. The worker shall
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also be entitled to retirement benefits as provided under Republic Act No. 11199,
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otherwise known as the "Social Security Act of 2018" and other existing laws.
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Coverage with the insurance, retirement, and other benefits provided by the SSS, Pag-
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IBIG Fund, and PhilHealth shall not preclude employers or principals from providing
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social welfare benefits to the worker as may be agreed upon in the Tripartite Council.
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Sec. 13. Basic Necessities. - The employer or principal shall provide for the
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basic necessities of the worker as follows:
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a) Adequate and nutritious meals, in due consideration to the workers' health
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and religion;
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b) Sufficient and readily accessible supply of safe drinking water;
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c) Accessible, clean, enclosed, person-with-disability (PWD)-friendly and
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gender-considerate toilets with sanitary facilities whether on location or not.
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The number of comfort facilities for a given number of workers shall be in
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conformity with the requirements of the Department of Health unless the
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location is found in areas where no such facilities are available;
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d) Private and gender-sensitive dressing rooms, whether on location or not,
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with adequate provisions for the proper safekeeping of the workers'
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valuables;
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e) Safe, clean, comfortable, and properly ventilated holding areas with
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emergency exits;
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f) Free, safe, and adequate accommodation if services are required to be
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rendered in an out-of-town location; and
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g) Dedicated vehicles for emergency purposes in the production.


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Sec. 14. Standard of Treatment. -The employer or principal shall not subject
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or allow the workers to be subjected to any kind of abuse, physical violence or
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harassment, or any act that degrades the dignity of the worker. The employer or
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principal shall set in place policies, rules, and regulations to prevent sexual harassment
5 
in the workplace in conformity with the provisions of Republic Act No. 7877 or the
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"Anti-Sexua! Harassment Act of 1995" Republic Act No. 11313 or the "Safe Spaces 
1 Act", and Republic Act No. 11036 or the "Mental Health Act". Such policies, rules, and
8 
regulations shall include procedures for the resolution of any conflict invoiving sexual
9 
harassment.
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Sec. 15. Health and Safety. - The employer or principal shall strictly comply
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with the occupational safety and health standards provided in Republic Act No. 11058,
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entitled, "An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health
13 
Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof and Section 25 of the
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Republic Act No. 11036, entitled, "An Act Establishing a National Mental Health Policy
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for the Purpose of Enhancing the Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services,
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Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons Utilizing Psychiatric, Neurologic and
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Psychosocial Health Services, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposed'.
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In addition, the occupational safety and health (OSH) officer of the employer
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or principal shall conduct a risk assessment of the workplace or location of production
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to identify and eliminate or control any potential hazard to the workers and shall use
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the appropriate safety manual for the industry.
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The DOLE shall initiate and oversee, in coordination with workers' organizations
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and groups, employers or principals, agencies, and field experts, the formulation,
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production, and distribution of the said manual.
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Notwithstanding, the provisions of the contract between the employer or
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principal and a contractor or subcontractor, if any, the provisions of relevant
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occupational safety and health legislation and regulations shall apply.
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The employer or principal, or contractor / subcontractor, shall regularly submit
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the required occupationai safety and health reports, including timeiy notification of
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production location and schedule to the DOLE regional office with jurisdiction over the
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area where the workplace is located.


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Sec. 16. Employment of Minors. -The employer or principal shall strictly adhere
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to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7610 or the "Special Protection of Children
3 
Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act"andi Republic Act No. 9231
4 
or the "Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection
5 
for the Working Child Act".
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Sec. 17. Insurance. - All workers shall be adequately insured by the employer
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or principal for work-related accidents or death in every movie and television
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production.
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Sec. 18. Duties and Responsibilities of the Employer or Principal. - It is hereby
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declared to be the duty of the employer or principal of the movie and television
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industry to:
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a) Comply with the laws, rules and regulations regarding occupational safety
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and health in every movie and program being produced;
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b) Promote safety and provide safe working conditions;
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c) Provide and maintain at all workplaces any first aid and medical supplies
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and services;
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d) Only engage workers who are appropriately trained to perform their jobs;
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e) Ensure all workers who may be affected by a potential hazard are made
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aware of the existence of the hazard to which they may be exposed in the
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course of production, as well as other safety and health concerns;
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f) Ensure all sets and locations have been properly assessed for any potential
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safety and health issues and proper remedies and safeguards are
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implemented to deal with any of these issues;
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g) Ensure all environmental or structural hazards identified are addressed and
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corrected;
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h) Ensure the use of proper safeguards and means of personal protection,
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including a careful check of all new and relocated equipment before it is
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placed in operation;
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i) Require that any necessary safety equipment and protective devices are
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being used or worn;
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j) Provide safety information which should include, but may not be limited to
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emergency numbers of nearest hospital, fire station and similar


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establishments; emergency personnel in the workplace; and location of
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safety, fire and first aid equipment; and
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k) Conduct a two (2) to five (5) -minute meeting with all workers every start
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of the shooting day to define safety and health issues.
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Sec. 19. Right to Self-organization and Collective Bargaining. - Workers in the
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movie and television industry shall have the right to form, join, or assist in the
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formation of a labor organization of their own choosing for purposes of collective
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bargaining, for mutual aid benefit, and to engage in concerted activities which are not
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contrary to law.
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Sec. 20. Prohibition on Cabo System. - Any person, group of persons, or labor
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group acting as a labor contractor or engaging in the "cabo" system, or otherwise
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engaging in any activity prohibited by law, shall constitute grounds for cancellation of
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its registration.
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Sec. 21. Settlement of Disputes. - All labor-related disputes that arises from
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employer-employee relationship shall be elevated to the DOLE regional office with
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jurisdiction over the workplace. In cases of independent contractors, any dispute shall
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be resolved by the trial courts having jurisdiction therein.
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Sec. 22. Movie and Television Industry Tripartite Council. - There shall be
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created a Movie and Television Industry Tripartite Council to be established by the
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DOLE that shall serve as a link among various stakeholders such as employers or
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principals and workers in the movie and television industry. It shall also provide a
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platform for the employers or principals and workers to represent their respective
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groups in the crafting of policy decisions that will affect them and the industry as a
24 
whole, and serve as an avenue to express their aspirations, present their programs or
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bridge gaps in cases of conflict among them, subject to the accreditation of the DOLE.
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Sec. 23. Rights to Remuneration. - The rights of a worker over intellectual
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property, consisting of the worker's performance on all movie and television
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production, shall at all times be protected and secured under this Act, pursuant to the
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provisions of Republic Act 8293 or the ''Intellectual Property Code of the Philippine^',
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as amended. Contracts or engagement agreements may stipulate that the worker
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transfers exclusive intellectual property rights in favor of the employer or principal.
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Unless otherwise stipulated or provided in the contract between the worker and the


1 
employer or principal, a worker shall enjoy additional remuneration consistent with
2 
Section 206 of Republic Act No. 8293 for every subsequent use or broadcasting of
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such performance or intellectual property.
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Sec. 24. Information and Education Campaign. - The Intellectual Property
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Office of the Philippines, DOLE, and the Philippine Information Agency, and other
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pertinent national government agencies shall implement and initiate the information
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and education campaign on the protection of the intellectual property rights of workers
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in the movie and television industry, as enshrined in Republic Act No. 8293 or the
9 
" Inteiiectuai Property Code of the Phiiippined'.
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Sec. 25. Effect on Existing Company Poiicies and Contracts or Coiiective
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Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). -The minimum benefits provided in this Act shall be
12 
without prejudice to any existing company policy, contract or CBA providing better
13 
terms and conditions of employment.
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Sec. 26. Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
15 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DOLE, in consultation with concerned
16 
government agencies, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders, shall
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of
18 
this Act.
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Sec. 27. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
20 
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
21 
and effect.
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Sec. 28. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
23 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
24 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 29. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
26 
following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette, or in a
27 
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,