NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2026
icf of tl)e s&f n
23 MAR 21 P2:38
RECEIVED BV;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a brain-based disorder that affects a child's 
behavior, communication skills and social skills. It includes Asperger's Syndrome, Rett 
Syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Kanner's syndrome and PDD-not 
otherwise specified (PDDNOS). Recent data from the Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC), autism affects about one (1) out of every sixty-eight (68) persons. 
In the Philippines, it is said that one (1) in 100 Filipinos or 1.2 million are on the autism 
spectrum.1
Thus, it is but proper to give significance and emphasis on the role of the 
government to take care of our children and adults who have autism and Intellectual 
disabilities.
Accordingly, this measure seeks for the creation of a Center for Autism in the 
country which will help create diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinics, provide 
vocational 
training 
programs 
for 
autistic 
adults
provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic, provide
1 http://www.autismsocietyphilippines.org/p/autism-is-lifelong-developmental.html
1


continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, and other medical professionals, 
provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral, and Increase public 
awareness and concern on autism by spearheading advocacy programs.
The Center for Autism shall be governed by the National Autism Board which 
shall be under the Office of the President. The Board shall be composed of the 
representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Education, Department 
pf Social Welfare and Development, National Council for the Welfare of Disabled 
Persons, Autism society of the Philippines, and parents of children and adults with 
autism.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SEI
S. Ho.m6
Senate
of jfeii! rtarp
23 mar 21 P2 38
RECEIVED BY;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy-Vi 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.
7 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms- For purposes of this Act, the terms below shall be
8 
constructed to mean, except where explicitly indicated or where the text clearly
9 
indicates otherwise as follows:
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
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 
impairment;


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
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;
g. 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 
learners with special needs who cannot profit maximally from regular 
education such that they require trained personnel modifications in the 
curricula, teaching methods, instructional materials and adaptations in 
facilities equipment.
23 
Sec. 3. Creation of a Center for Autism - There is hereby created a Center for
24 
Autism which shall be tasked to perform the following functions:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
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;


1 
f. Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral; and
2 
g. Increase public awareness and concern on autism by spear heading
3 
advocacy programs.
4 
Sec. 4. Governing Board Composition, Term, Functions - There is hereby
5 
created a National Autism Board, hereby referred to as the Board, which shall be
6 
under the Office of the President. The Board shall govern the Center for Autism and
7 
shall be composed of the following:
8 
a. One (1) representative from the Department of Health, who shall sit as
9 
Chairperson;
10 
b. One (1) representative from the Department of Education who shall sit
11 
as the Vice-Chairperson;
12 
c. One (1) representative from the Department of Social Welfare and
13 
Developmental as Member;
14 
d. Two (2) representatives from the National Council for the Welfare of
15 
Disabled Persons as Members;
16 
e. Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as
17 
Members; and,
18 
f. Two (2) representatives from the Parents of Children and Adults with
19 
Autism as Members.
20 
Sec. 5. Secretariat - The Board shall have a Secretariat under an Executive
21 
Officer who shall be appointed by the President. The Executive Officer shall manage
22 
the day-to-day operations of the Board and shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive
23 
Officer who shall likewise be appointed by the President.
24 
The Executive Officer shall have the following powers and functions:
25 
a. Execute, administer and implement the policies and measures approved
26 
by the Board;
27 
b. Direct and supervise the affairs and operations of the Board;
28 
c. Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of every calendar year an
29 
annual report to the Board and such other reports it may require;


10
11
12
13
d. Submit an annual budget and such supplementary budgets as may be 
necessary to the Board for its consideration and approval;
e. Represent the Board In all transactions with other offices, agencies, 
instrumentalities of government and with all persons and other entities, 
public or private, domestic or foreign; and,
f. Appoint, subject to confirmation of the Board, and discipline in 
accordance with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, the officers 
and personnel below the level of Deputy Executive Officer.
The Deputy Executive Officer shall perform the following functions:
a. Assist the Executive Officer in the discharge of his powers and functions;
b. Act as the Executive Officer during the Executive Officer's absence; and,
c. Discharge such other powers and functions as may be required by the 
Executive Officer and the Board.
14 
Sec. 6. Appropriations - For the initial operating expenses of the Center, the
15 
amount of Fifty Million Pesos (50,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the
16 
available funds of the Office of the President. Thereafter, it shall submit to the
17 
Department of Budget and Management, its proposed budget for inclusion in the
18 
General Appropriations Act.
19 
Sec. 7. Transitory Provisions - Within the period of one hundred and eighty
20 
(180) days after the approval of this Act, the Board constituted shall start its
21 
operation. All other government offices having functions similar to the Board shall
22 
then cease to perform such functions. Henceforth, these functions shall be deemed
23 
transferred to the board.
24 
Sec. 8. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations - The Board in consolation with
25 
appropriate agencies from the private and government sectors shall issue guidelines
26 
and prescribe rules and regulations within one hundred (100) days after the effectivity
27 
of this Act. A copy of such guidelines, rules and regulations shall be furnished to the
28 
Congress of the Philippines.


1 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause - Should any provision of this Act, be declared
2 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions of this Act which are not affected hereby
3 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
4 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
5 
and other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are
6 
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
7 
Sec. 11. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation in the
9 
Philippines.
Approved,