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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

18" Congress
1* Regular Session

House Bin__ 921

Introduced by Honorable BAYANI F. FERNANDO

AN ACT
TO PROMOTE A NEW PILIPINO GESTURE OF GOODWILL AND PRAISE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The medical profession has established for ages that the traditional handshake is a risk

to health; with the innocent well-meaning gesture of handshake communicable diseases
are transferred from person to person.

This house bill seeks to promote the simple act of gracefully laying the palm of the right
hand over the center of the chest with simultancously a slight head nod and an

appropriate verbal greeting as “The Pilipino Official Gesture of Goodwill and Praise” as
an alternative to the traditional handshake.

Furthermore, placing the hand over the chest is a gesture of good faith coming from the
heart, while the nod is a traditional Pilipino gesture of respect.

The purpose of this bill is in accord with article Il, Section 15 of the 1987
constitution, which provides:

“Sec. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them”

In view-of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City
18" Congress

1 Regular Session

House Bill___ 921.

AN ACT
TO PROMOTE A NEW PILIPINO GESTURE OF GOODWILL AND PRAISE

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Pagbating Pilipino”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — Article Il, Section 15 of the Constitution stats that shall

protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them.

Whereas, the medical profession has established for ages that the traditional handshake
is a risk to health. The innocent well-meaning gesture of handshake transfers
communicable diseases are transferred from person to person.

Whereas, the simple act of gracefully laying the palm of the right hand over the center of
the chest and simultaneously with a slight head nod and an appropriate verbal greeting
as “The Pilipino Official Gesture of Goodwill and Praise” is a better alternative to the
traditional handshake.

Whereas, placing the hand over the chest is a universal gesture of good faith coming from
the heart, while the nod is a traditional Pilipino gesture of respect.

Section 3. Definition of Terms ~ For purposes of this Act, the term:

1. Infectious Disease ~ likely to be transmitted to people from another host or the
environment

2. Goodwill ~ of trust and good faith among a companion
3. Gesture ~ a movement expressing faith or camaraderie
4. Praise — to show admiration and respect towards a person


Section 4 Promotion Campaign. - The Priippine Information A
take the lead to promote this practice and shail be practiced wn all qovarwie
offices

Section 5. Appropriations — Such sum as may be necessa
plementation of this Act is hereby appropriated

Section 6. Separability Clause - |! any provision o par thereat is hele va
w unconstitutional the remainder of the Act the provision pet othe w
affected shail remain valid and subsisting

Section 7. Repealing Clause - Any iaw presigentia
executive order letter of instruchon administrative order 1
contrary to of inconsistent with this Actis hereby repealed moc’
accordingly

Section 8. Effectivity Clause This Act shall take effect after as 5
the Official Gazette or in a newspane! of g 2

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