‘No touch’ greeting pushed at Senate as pandemic rages

A measure has been filed at the Senate institutionalizing a new Filipino gesture of respect, goodwill and praise to help reduce physical contact amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Richard Gordon has filed Senate Bill 2043, essentially serving as a counterpart measure to the similar bill filed by Marikina City Representative Bayani Fernando in the House of Representatives.

In the explanatory note of his measure, Gordon said that while Filipinos are known for their hospitality and goodwill, shown through "beso-beso" or a simple handshake, the raging pandemic has forced the public to limit social contact to prevent the further spread of the disease.

"Numerous studies have shown that respiratory viruses, especially COVID-19 can be passed by shaking hands and other physical contact. Thus we must resort to other ways to greet one another or to show our affection, respect, and praise to the people around us," he said.

"This bill aims to establish a new Filipino gesture, one that would signify goodwill, respect, and praise while observing proper health protocols. The new normal should not be the end to the Filipino hospitality and goodwill, rather it must be an improvement of these Filipino traits," he added.

In this new way of gesture, the palm of the right hand would be laid over the center of the chest while simultaneously lowering the head.

The measure covers all Filipino citizens and other persons who are in the Philippines.

All government agencies and instrumentalities are mandated under the measure to allocate their respective resources for information dissemination and to encourage the practice of the new gesture.

The similar measure in the House of Representatives has already been approved on third and final greeting. —LDF, GMA News