Indiepinoy Goes To Congress Anew

Indiepinoy goes to the Philippine congress again. Indiepinoy President Nolit Abanilla is represented on a roundtable discussions about workplace issues and conditions of artists in the Philippine congress last Noverber 21, 2019. The gathering was held at the Montilla Hall, Southwing Annex of the House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Bayan Muna Partylist office of Rep Ferdinand Gaite, House Committee on Labor and Employment and Artists Task Force ChaCha. Also discussed during the talks was the topic of censorship and a proposed amendment to the MTRCB law.

Various artist organizations, mostly from the film industry took turns to express their concerns regarding artist rights and welfare issues. Among them are, the Artist Task Force ChaCha, Performers' Rights Society of the Philippines (PRSP), Lupon ng Pilipinong Sinematograpo, Artist Welfare Project, Inc.(AWPI), Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino, Indiepinoy, Philippine Animators Workers Association, Production Designers Guild of the Philippines, Scriptwriters Guild of the Philippines, and individuals working in the visual arts and writers/literature field. A lot of stories in the artists field from past experiences have been shared on the table. Highlighted are the work ethics of production designers who not only come in hours earlier before the actual shoot but also leaves late as they have to clear the things on the set. And in the night, instead of going to sleep they still have to prepare the clothes the actors need to wear the next day. The animators also shared their horrifying experiences as they have to reach a certain number of drawings or else they will lose their jobs. Not to be left behind are the critic writers and authors who often desolate themselves during work but needs to go out the opposite direction by organizing themselves in order to protect their rights. Actor Bembol Roco expressed his concern that these issues are still being pursued into law, despite decades of struggle from one presidential term to another.

Congressman Enrico Pineda who Chairs the House Committee on Labor and Employment expressed that each issues discussed will be taken into consideration when they finalize a bill which is being called as the Eddie Garcia Bill, to honor the late actor who died due to poor conditions in the workplace. Actors/directors Gina Alajar and Rex Cortez shared a move from the Department of Labor and Employment to put into action a department order that details rules and regulations that will protect the rights and welfare of artists particularly in the film industry.