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Sad to say, we still live in a nation that is surrounded by discrimination and biases. People still put off other people who are willing and able to do something on the basis of appearance or preference. In more “tolerant” or “civilized” nations there is no longer a wall that divides people from the rest, no more uncalled scrutiny that hinders those who are able to get the job done but can’t due to simple physical hindrances.
It is a known fact that peace and order is a big issue here in our nation. The fact that criminals outnumber law enforcement almost 10 to 1 is probably an exaggerated figure but it is complimented by the lack of proper equipment (guns, training, etc…) that always gives our police force a run for its money. I’ve personally heard of stories from patriotic individuals who want to lay their life on the line to serve the public by being policemen & policewomen but are rejected simply because of their height. Let’s face it, Filipinos are not a race of giants because it’s all in the genes right?
Now everything is about to change and those individuals may now get the chance to become a policeman.
A Philippine
senator has filed a bill to scrap the height requirement for Philippine National Police officers, saying it is discriminatory. Under the current law, a male PNP officer have to be at least 1.62 meters (5'3") tall while female police officers must be at least 1.57 meters (5'1") tall. Although measures are being taken to correct the situation, heightism is still practiced in the Philippine National Police to the disadvantage particularly of minority or indigenous persons seeking employment who may have genetic make-ups different from other Filipinos the senator said. Height requirement violates both the Philippine Constitution and the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. The height requirement must be repealed on the principle that all people have equal rights to be employed unhampered by prejudices that have nothing to do with one's merit or competence to do the work. Height discrimination unnecessarily limits quality choice while promoting social prejudice.
The senator also said that although physical impairment could disqualify candidates to the PNP, "not all who are short are physically, much less intellectually, impaired. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs for deliberation and hopefully it would pass to enable those who are willing and able to serve the public untiringly.
Source: Yahoo!
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