Drafting of IRR for Eddie Garcia law begins

MANILA, Philippines — The drafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 11996, better known as the Eddie Garcia law, is set to begin today, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the consultation with the employers’ sector is set on Aug. 13 and members of the Movie and Television Industry Tripartite Council will hold its first meeting on Aug. 16.

Last Monday, the representatives of employers and workers in the movie and television industry constituting the tripartite council took their oath before Laguesma.

He said the oath-taking of the council members is a signal for the beginning of the tripartite consultations for the IRR of the law, named after veteran actor Eddie Garcia who died in 2019 due to an accident while shooting a television series.

The council shall serve as a continuing forum for tripartite consultation with the stakeholders on policies and programs for the movie and television industry.

President Marcos signed the law in May to protect the welfare of all workers, regardless of their status in the movie and television industry.

DOLE vowed to support its government and industry partners, as well as workers, in ensuring decent work, comprehensive social protection coverage, freedom to self-organize and collective bargaining and skills and competitiveness improvement for all workers.