Labor group seeks passage of Eddie Garcia bill

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest labor group yesterday called for the passage of the so-called Eddie Garcia bill in the House of Representatives to ensure the safety of workers in the entertainment industry.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expressed hope that the proposed measure would be approved soon to prevent fatal accidents during film shooting.

TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said they have asked the Department of Labor and Employment to require safety officers in every movie or television production set.

“If there was a safety officer, what happened to Eddie Garcia could have been prevented, “ Tanjusay said.

Garcia slipped into a coma after he tripped on cables while on the set of a television show.