Bill institutionalizing ‘new, safe’ Filipino gesture of respect OK’d in House

MANILA, Philippines — In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill institutionalizing a new and safe Filipino gesture of respect, goodwill, and praise.

With 212 affirmative votes, one negative, and no abstention, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 8149 or the “Bating Filipino Para sa Kalusugan Act,” which seeks to instill health consciousness through the promotion of a better alternative to the traditional gesture of a handshake.

Under the measure, a new and safe gesture of respect, goodwill, and praise shall be observed and performed through the simple act of “gracefully laying the palm of the right hand over the center of one’s chest while simultaneously lowering the head, with eyes either closed or cast down.”

“It is the policy of the State to protect the health and promote the well-being of every Filipino. To this end, the State shall set standards of social contact such as a safe and proper gesture to express and convey respect, goodwill, or praise among persons,” the bill states.

The bill mandates all government agencies and instrumentalities to allocate their respective resources for information dissemination and encourage the new gesture’s practice.

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