Republic of the Philippines
HOUSH 0F REPRESENTATIVHS
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTEENTH CONGRHSS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HouseBillNo.80l`l
INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects social
communication, behavior, and sensory processing. In the Philippines, there is a growing need for
supportive services for individuals with autism given the increasing prevalence of the condition
and the limited availability of specialized resources.
The proposed center for autism can address this need by offering a range of services such
as early intervention, diagnosis, treatment, and therapy for individuals with autism. The center can
also provide  support services  for families,  including  counseling, training,  and education about
ASD. Moreover, it can serve as a hub for research and advocacy on autism, promoting greater
awareness and understanding of the disorder among the general public.
The center can collaborate with other organizations, both locally and internationally, to
promote best practices and evidence-based approaches in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of
individuals  with  autism.  It  can  also  provide  opportunities  for  collaboration  and  training  for
professionals in the field of autism, such as teachers, therapists, and healthcare providers.
Overall, this bill proposes the establishment of an autism center in the Philippines to help
bridge the gap in services and resources for individuals with autism and their families. It aims to
promote greater awareness and understanding of autism, improve access to specialized services,
and provide a platform for research, advocacy, and collaboration.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro ivlanila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HouseBi||No.Boll
INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONT0 ADIONG
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURTOSES
Be  it enacted by the  Senate  and House  of Representatives  of the  Philippines  in  Congress
assembled:
Section  1. DECLARATION 0F POLICY. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to
promote and protect the right of all individuals to live a full, healthy, holistic and quality life. This
includes  individuals  who  are  suffering  from  autism  or any  kind  of developmental  disability.
Therefore, the state shall promote and protect the rights of autistic individuals by providing them
adequate support through easy access to health care, educational and other services.
Section 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS -For purposes of this Act, the terms below shall be
constructed to mean, except where explicitly indicated or where the text clearly indicates otherwise
as follows:
a.    Autism-is a developmental disability that appears during the first three years of life; the
result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain;
b.   Disability -shall mean 1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or
more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual or activities of
such individual;  2)  a record of such an impairment;  or 3) regarded  as having  such an
impai-ent;
c.    Disabled   Gifted   -   persons   who   demonstrate   superior   performance   capabilities   in
intellectual, creative, specific academic areas, leadership, or in the arts in spite of physical,
sensory or psychological disabilities;
d.   Disabled Worker-means a worker whose earning capacity is impaired by mental, physical,
or sensory deficiency or injury;
e.   Handicap - refers to disadvantage for given individual, resulting from an impairment of
disability that limits or prevents the function of activity, that is considered normal given
the age and sex of the individual;
f.    Impairment  -  is  any  loss,  diminution  or  aberration  of psychological,  physiological,  or
anatomical structure of function;
9.   Indigent patient- a disabled person whose level of income falls below poverty threshold;
h.   Rehabilitation  -  an  integrated  approach  to  physical,  psychological,  cultural,  spiritual,
educational,  or  vocational,  measures  that  create  conditions  for  individual  to  attain  the
highest possible level of functional ability; and,
i.    Special  Education  (SPED)  ~  type  of education  specifically  designed  for  leaners  with
special needs who cannot profit maximally from regular education such that they require
trained persormel modificatious in the curricula, teaching methods, instructional materials
and adaptations in facilities equipment
Section 3. CREATION FOR A CENTER FOR AUTISM - There is hereby created a Center
for Autism which shall be tasked to perform the following functions:
a.     Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master plan;
b.   Create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinic;
c.    Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults;
d.   Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic;


e.   Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, and other medical
professionals;
f.    Provide other services such as counse]ing, orientation and referral; and
9.   Increase public  awareness and concern  on  autism by  spear heading advocacy
programs.
Section 4. GOVERNING BOARD COMPOSITION, THRM, AND FUNCTIONS - There
is hereby created a National Autism Board, hereby referred to as the Board, which shall be under
the Office of the President. The Board shall govern the Center for Autism and shall be composed
of the following:
a.    One   (1)   representative   from   the   Department   of  Health,   who   shall   sit   as
Chairperson;
b.   One (1) representative from the Department of Education who shall sit as the Vice-
Chaixperson;
c.   One (1) representative from the Department of social Welfare and Developmental as
Member;
d.   Two  (2)  representatives  from  the  National  Council  for  the  Welfare  of Disabled
Persons as Members;
e.   Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as Members; and,
f.    Two (2) representatives from the Parents of children and Adults with
Autism as Members.
Section 5. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.
Section  6.  REPEALING  CLAUSE.  -  The  provision  of ,  is  hereby  amended.  Except  as
otherwise expressly provided in this Act, all other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations
and  administrative  regulations  or  parts  thereof inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby  repealed  or
modified accordingly.
Section 7. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,