Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
1 st Regular Session
Hous-e`Bi`11~Nro.     8886
Introduced by Representatives EDVIC G. YAP,
]OCELYN P. TULFO, JEFFREY SORIAN0 and RALPH WENDEL P. TULFO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by
differences  in  the  brain.  People  with  ASD  often  have  problems  with  social
communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests.
People with ASD may also have different waLys of leaning, moving, or paying
attention.1                                          I
While Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magma Carta for Disabled Persons has
paved  the  way  for  the  recognition  and  protection  of  rights  of  persons  with
disabilities, including persons with ASD, there is still insufficiency of programs and
initiatives  to  address  the  needs  specific  to  Fhipinos  diagnosed  with  autism.
Bullying, discrimination, lack of affordable and accessible health and educational
facilities specializing in ASD nationwide, are only a few of the perennial problems
faced by our countrymen diagnosed with ASD.
It is the State's duty to provide protection and care to Filipinos with ASD,
especially  with  their  profound  and  peculiar  needs  due  to  the  breadth  of  the
spectrum. This bill aims to increase awareness and proper understanding of ASD,
provide access to affordable therapies and education, employment, services and
support to people with ASD to live independently within the community, minimize
or   completely   eradicate   discrimination   and   promote   inclusivity   within   the
community.
It is imperative to equip teachers, medical professionals, volunteers, and the
Filipino community as a whole, with sufficient training and knowledge to address
the  needs  of  persons  with  autism  and  ultimately  develop  responsiveness  and
compassion towards them.
]https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.himl#:~:text=Autism%20spectrum%20disorder%20(
ASD)%20is,%2C%20moving%2C%20or°/o20paying%20attention


h view of
earnestly sought.
regoing,  the  immediate  passage  of this  proposed  bill  is
RALPH
EL P. TULFO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
1 st Regular Session
House`Biii-rdo.    6886
Introduced by Representatives EDVIC G. YAP,
]OCELYN P. TULFO, JEFFREY SORIAN0 and RALPH WENDEI. P. TULFO
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL CARE PLAN T0
ENcOuRAGE cOOpERATION, AccouNTABILrry, AND RESEARCH FOR
THE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT 0F PERSONS l^rlTH AUTISM
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
1
2      Be it enacted by  the  Senate  and House  Of Rapresentatives Of the  Phittppi:res in  Congress
3       assembled:
4
5                    Section 1. SJlorf Ti.ffe. -This Act shall be known as the "A%f±.s77i Ccope7itlfro7z,
Accountahilrty, Research, Education and Sxpport (CARES) Act Of 2022" .
7
8                  Sec. 2. DecJ¢r¢fi.o# a/PoZ{.q/. -The state hereby affirms its role in protecting
9      and  upholding  the  rights  of  all  disabled  persons,  by  giving  full  support  to  the
10      improvement of their well-being and their integration into mainstream society. To
11      this end, the state recognizes the need to legislate for the distinctive needs of persons
12      with autism  (PWAs)  and  commits  itself to  institutionalize  adequate policies  and
13      programs  that  shall  increase  awareness  and  proper  understaLnding  of autism,  to
14      develop a clear and consistent pathway to early detection and diagnosis, provide
15      access to quality education and employment opportunities such that pwAs may live
16      independently   within   the   community,   to   minimize   or   completely   eradicate
17      discrimination and to enable the private sector to extend relevant services that will
18     complement the govemment's programs.
19
20             Sec. 3. De/I.#£f+.o# a/Terns. -As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
21
22      a)   "A#ft.sffl"   or  Autism  Spectrum  Disorder  refers  to  a  neurological  condition
23            characterized   by   challenges   with   social   skills,   repetitive   behaviors,   and
24            communication, as well as by unique strengths, as defined in the latest version of
25            the Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.


26      b)   "Di.flgrosis" refers to necessary assessments, including but not limited to neuro-
27            psychological evaluations, genetic testing MRls, hearing tests, psychometric tests
28            to diagnose or discount autism and/ or developmental disabilities individuals.
29       c)   "JHte=i.zJentr.or!" refers to interceding action undertaken to help improve the autism
30            prognosis. Intervention in autism may take the form of medical, pharmacologic,
31            therapeutic, educational, and non-traditional habilitative care.
32      d)  "£pt.de7rc!.oJogy"  refers   to   the   study   and   analysis   of  the   distribution   and
33            determinants of health conditions,like autism in define populations.
34
35                    Sec. 4. Trc¢fr7cenf ¢s perso#s zt7jffe I)isfl[b£.i..fry -In accordance with Republic
36      Act No. 7277, as amended, all pwAs shall be treated as persons with Disability. They
37      shall  likewise be  entitled  to  all  the  rights,  privileges,  and benefits  provided  for
38      persons with disabilities under Republic Act No.10754 and other related laws.
39
40                 See.  5.  Inter-Ageney  Cooperation,  Accountabtlity  and  Research   -  The
41      Department of Health (Doll), in coordination with the Department of social welfare
42      and  Development  (DSWD),  Department  of  Education  (DepEd),  the  Phfiippine
43      Council   for   Mental   Health   (PCMH),   other   academic   institutions   and   non-
44      governmental organizations, is hereby mandated to establish and evaluate activities
45       to:
46
47        1.   Inform and educate on such disabilities to increase awareness relating to causes,
48              early detection, management, treatment as well as developmental milestones;
49        2.   Promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools
50               for such disabilities;
51        3.   Develop  a  curriculum  for  continuing  education  to  assist  individuals  in
52              recognizing the need for and using, valid and reliable screening tools;
53        4.   Promote early  screening of children and  individuals at higher risk for such
5 4               disabilities;
55        5.   Promote  research  to  determine  evidence-based  practices  for  interventions,
56              develop guidelines for those interventions and disseminate information related
57              to such research and guidelines; and
58        6.   Encourage public participation in decisions relating to such disabilities.
59
60              See  6.  Contiouing  Education  and  Training  on  Autism  for  Public  Service
61      Proz)f.ders.  -  All  officers and  staff in  charge  of providing services to  the  public,
62      including but not limited to the Department of Health (DOH), Department of social
63      Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department
64      of Labor and  Employment (DOLE),  Department of Justice  (DOJ),  Department of
65      Transportation (DOTr), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the
66      Department of National Defense  (DND),  Department of Science and  Technology
67      (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and skills
68      Development Authority qESDA), National council on Disability Affairs (NCDA),
69      Persons with Disabilities Affairs Offices  q'DAOs) at the Local Government Urrits
70      qGUs), Public safety units (military, police, firemen and other first responders), shall
71      undergo mandatory continuing education to empower service providers to become


72      more responsive, sensitive, and compassionate in the delivery of services to pwAs
73      and their families.
74
7S                 See. 7. Epidenriological surveillance programs. ~ The Departr]r\ent o£ Health, in
76     coordination    with    different    academic    institutions    and    non-governmental
77      organizations is hereby mandated to conduct an epidemiological survey to determine
78      the  prevalence of autism in  the county  annually  to provide  data  to  government
79      agencies and the private sector, to make necessary services available to PWAs and
80      their families.
81
82                Sec. 8. £zJ!.de#ce-bflscd Rescflrc7!. -The DOH, the philippine council for Health
83      Research and Development q'CHRD), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) are
84      mandated, in coordination with local and international mental health institutions, to
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promote, create, develop, and adopt research and strategic plans that will continue
to  determine  and  establish  evidence-based  practices  for  interventions  in  the
treatment, care and integration into society of PWAs.
See.  9.  Early   Detection  and  Intervention  Of  Autism.   -   The  DOH,  in
coordination with the DepEd is hereby mandated to establish a program for early
screening and detection of autism, to provide the appropriate services to children and
toddlers with developmental delays associated with autism, and to ensure tie central
PWD registry are updated accordingly.
See. 10. Protection Against Discrimination in Schools, Colleges, Urriversities
flr!d  Tr¢t+.1.r!g Jrlsff.frof!.o#s.  -  The  DepEd,  CHED  and  TESDA  shall  formulate  or
update  policies  and protocols  to  ensure that all educational institutions shall be
inclusive to learners with autism, in matters including, but not limited to, acceptance
to academic or training programs, instructional supports, and behavior management.
100
101               See. T1. Provision at Equal opportwrities f or Employinent -The DOLE: aLnd the
102      Civil service commission (CSC) shall formulate policies and programs to ensure that
103      PWAs are provided equal opportunities for gainful employment and apprenticeship
104      opportunities in the private and public sectors.
105
106               See.    12.    Mandatory    Insurance    Coverage    and    Prohibition    Against
107      Discriffli+.¢fi.ow fJtcreo/. -All persons with autism shall be covered by the National
108      Health Insurance program of the philippine Health Insurance corporation (PHIC).
109      Funds necessary to ensure the enrolment of pwAs, who are currently covered under
110      any existing category, shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of
111      PHIC, earmarked from the proceeds of sin tax collections, as provided for in Republic
112       Act No.  10351.  It shall likewise  include the cost of early  screening and detection
113      programs, as one of the available benefits of its members. The Department of Finance
114      (DOH) shall likewise issue guidelines to ensure that all insurance providers shall
115      provide pwAs access to life insurance instruments and shall include allied medical
116      procedures (like occupational and speech therapies) in health insurance benefits of
117       policyholders.


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See.13. Protection in cases Of Disaster and Emergencies. ~ the DILG, DSIND,
and the DND shall formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure that the
military,  public safety  professionals, local government units, and first responders
shall  provide  the  necessary  lifesaLving  support  to  PWAs  with  behavioral  and
commurrication challenges, in times of disasters, calamities and other emergencies.
Sec. 14. Access fo Trflusporf#fi.o#. - The DOTr shall formulate the necessary
policies  and   protocols   to  ensure  PWAs   with  behavioral   and   communication
challenges and their families are given reasonable accommodation in accessing all
forms of transportation by service provides over land, sea, and air.
See. T5. Reasonable Accommodation in Legal Proceedings. - The DOT shall
formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure criminal justice agencies and
professionals shall provide the necessary accommodations and protections to PWAs
in behavioral and communication challenges, who may be the accused of victims of
or witnesses to crimes.
Sec. 16. TJrc A#fi.sffl CARES PJ¢# - The Philippine Council for Mental Health
q]CMH), a multi-sector body established by the Mental Health Act, in coordination
with other government agencies and stakeholders, shall develop, regularly update
and monitor the implementation of the Autism Cares Plan (ACP), a holistic medium-
term plan that shall embody the provisions of this Act, in order to respond to the
needs of PWAs and their families for the guidance of the stakeholders in public and
private   sectors.   The   PCMH   shall   likewise   coordinate  the   development  and
implementation of necessary policies and programs to operationalize all ACPs and
to ensure the needs of PWAs are served.
Sec 17. Appropr{.flf{.or!s. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of
the DOH.
Sec 18. Sepflrflb!.J..rty CJflwse. -If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect.
Sec. 19. Rep€¢Ji.ng Cha#se. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
presidential proclamations, letter of instruction, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act  are  hereby  repealed  or  modified
accordingly.
Sec.  20.  £#ecft.tJifty.  ~  This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  after  its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.