TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
4©ffl(T of tir IS-.'f!
25 AUG-5 P4 30
S. No.
SENATE
967
RrCEIvEDBV.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological and developmental 
disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and 
behave.1 It is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the 
brain. The characteristics may be detected in early childhood, but autism is often 
not diagnosed until much later. The abilities and needs of people with autism vary 
and can evolve over time. While some can live independently, others have severe 
disabilities and require life-long care and support.
It is a known fact that every person, including person with autism, have the 
right to enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. 
Unfortunately, autistic people are often subject to stigma and discrimination, 
including unjust deprivation of health care, education, and opportunities to engage 
and participate in their communities.
In recent years, cases of autism have risen worldwide. According to the 
World Health Organization, there are about 1 in every 100 children has autism in
1 Autism Spectrum Disorder - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
1


2023.2 Meanwhile, the World Population Review recorded the Autism Rate in the 
Philippines in 2021 at 700 children per 100,000 individuals who have been diagnosed 
at any age with autism.3
Recognizing the need to strengthen and promote the optimal health and well­
being of people with autism, this proposed measure seeks the establishment of a 
Center for Autism which will focus on improving the quality of life of children and 
adults with autism. The national government's support and commitment are badly 
needed to improve the quality of life of people with autism.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
JlNGTGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
2 Autism
3 Autism Rates by Country 2025


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of l!’' 
' ot;
25 AUG-5 P4 30
SENATE 
S. No. 967
RKEiVtD 3V;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
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:
1 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. - Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder is a
2 
prevalent condition in individuals of various ages in the Philippines but the programs,
3 
services, support, studies, and statistics dedicated to it by the government remains
4 
insufficient. Until now, autistic individual belongs to the marginalized sectors of
5 
Philippine society, preventing their total rehabilitation, self-development and self-
6 
reliance.
7 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms below shall
8 
be construed to mean, except where explicitly indicated or where the text clearly
9 
indicates otherwise as follows:
10 
a) Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - is a neurological and
11 
developmental illness that impacts how individuals connect, communicate, learn, and
12 
conduct. People with autism have repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or
13 
activities and have trouble getting along with other people;
14 
b) Disability - shall mean 1) a physical or mental impairment to substantially
15 
limits one or more psychological, physiological or anatomical function of an individual
16 
or activities of such individual; 2) a record of such an impairment; or 3) being
17 
regarded as having such an impairment;


1 
c) Disabled Gifted - persons who demonstrate superior performance
2 
capabilities in intellectual, creative, specific academic areas, leadership, or in the arts
3 
in spite of physical, sensory or psychological disabilities;
4 
d) Disabled Worker - means a worker whose earning capacity is impaired by
5 
mental, physical, or sensory deficiency or injury;
6 
e) Handicap - refers to a disadvantage for given individual, resulting from an
7 
impairment or disability that limits or prevents the function of activity, that is
8 
considered normal given the age and sex of the individual;
9 
f) Impairment - is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological,
10 
physiological, or anatomical structure or function;
11 
g) Indigent patient - a disabled person whose level of income falls below the
12 
poverty threshold;
13 
h) Rehabilitation - an integrated approach to physical, psychological, cultural,
14 
spiritual, educational, or vocational, measures that create conditions for individual to
15 
attain the highest possible level of functional ability; and,
16 
i) Special Education (SPED) - that type of education specifically designed for
17 
learners with special needs who cannot profit maximally from regular education such
18 
that they require trained personnel, modifications in the curricula, teaching methods,
19 
instructional materials and adaptations in facilities equipment.
20 
Sec. 3. Creation of a Center for Autism. - There is hereby created a Center for
21 
Autism which shall be an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH) and
22 
shall be tasked to perform the following functions:
23 
1) Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master plan
24 
for early and effective diagnosis, appropriate and affordable treatment and
25 
therapy, accessible support services, comprehensive study, updated
26 
statistics, and responsive policies regarding autism or ASD;
27 
2) Create diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinics in key cities and
28 
municipalities in the country;
29 
3) Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults in coordination with
30 
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);
31 
4) Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent persons with
32 
autism or ASD;


1 
5) Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, medical
2 
professionals and personnel engaged in providing services to persons with
3 
autism or ASD;
4 
6) Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral to
5 
persons with autism or ASD and their family members;
6 
7) Increase public awareness and concern on autism or ASD by spearheading
7 
advocacy programs in coordination with relevant government agencies
8 
such as Department of 
Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher
9 
Education (CHED), Department of Health (DOH), Civil Service Commission
10 
(CSC), and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
11 
Sec. 4, Governing Board, Composition, Term, Functions. - There is hereby
12 
created a National Autism Board referred as to the Board, which shall be under the
13 
Office of the President. The Board shall govern the Center for Autism and shall be
14 
composed of the following:
15 
1) One (1) representative from the DOH, who shall sit as Chairperson;
16 
2) One (1) representative from the Department of Education who shall sit as
17 
the Vice-Chairperson;
18 
3) One (1) representative from the Department of Social Welfare and
19 
Development as Member;
20 
4) Two (2) representatives from the National Council for the Welfare of
21 
Disabled Persons as Members;
22 
5) Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as
23 
Members;
24 
6) Two (2) representatives from the parents or legal guardians of children
25 
and adults with Autism as Members.
26 
Sec. 5. Secretariat - The Board shall have a Secretariat under an Executive
27 
Officer who shall be appointed by the President. The Executive Officer shall manage
28 
the day-to-day operations of the Board and shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive
29 
Officer who shall likewise be appointed by the President. The Executive Officer shall
30 
have the following powers and functions:
31 
1) Execute, administer and implement the policies and measures approved by
32 
the Board;


1 
2) Direct and supervise the affairs and operations of the Board;
2 
3) Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of every calendar year an
3 
annual report to the Board and such other reports it may require;
4 
4) Submit an annual budget and such supplementary budgets as may be
5 
necessary to the Board for its consideration and approval;
6 
5) Represent the Board in all transactions with other offices, agencies,
7 
instrumentalities of government and with all persons and other entities,
8 
public or private, domestic or foreign; and,
9 
6) Appoint, subject to confirmation of the Board, and discipline in accordance
10 
with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, the officers and personnel
11 
below the level of Deputy Executive Officer.
12 
The Deputy Executive Officer shall perform the following functions:
13 
1) Assist the Executive Officer in the discharge of his powers and functions;
14 
2) Act as the Executive Officer during the Executive Officer's absence; and ,
15 
3) Discharge such other powers and functions as may be required by the
16 
Executive Officer and the Board.
17 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - For the initial operating expenses of the Center, the
18 
amount of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the
19 
available funds of the Office of the President. Thereafter, it shall submit to the
20 
Department of Budget and Management, its proposed budget for inclusion in the
21 
General Appropriations Act.
22 
Sec. 7. Transitory Provisions. -Within the period of one hundred and eighty
23 
(180) days after the approval of this Act, the Board constituted shall start its
24 
operation. All other government offices having functions similar to the Board shall
25 
then cease to perform such functions. Henceforth, these functions shall be deemed
26 
transferred to the Board.
27 
Sec. 8. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - The Board in consultation with
28 
appropriates agencies from the private and government sectors shall issue guidelines
29 
and prescribe rules and regulations within one hundred (120) days after the
30 
effectivity of this Act which shall be published in two (2) newspapers of general
31 
circulation. A copy of such guidelines, rules and regulations shall be furnished the
32 
Congress of the Philippines.


1 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
2 
and other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are
3 
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
4 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act, be declared
5 
invalid or unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof be affected thereby.
6 
Sec. 11, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved,