Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No.__876

INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition
characterized by difficulties in communication, social interaction, and restricted or
repetitive patterns of behavior. Yet beyond these clinical features, persons with
autism represent a diverse community of individuals with unique strengths,
potential, and aspirations. According to global estimates, approximately 1 in 100
children is diagnosed with autism, with rising incidence rates across countries,
including the Philippines. Despite this growing number, persons with autism and
their families continue to face gaps in early detection, limited access to quality
services, fragmented interventions, and persistent stigma and discrimination.

This bill seeks to institute a National Autism Care Plan (NACP)—a
comprehensive, multi-sectoral framework that consolidates the government's
responsibilities to persons with autism across health, education, employment, social
protection, and community inclusion. Anchored on the principles of the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Magna Carta
for Persons with Disabilities, the proposed measure recognizes autism not as a
condition to be “cured,” but a condition that demands understanding, support, and
empowerment.

At the heart of this proposal is the creation of a Sub-Committee on Autism under
the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). This body shall serve as a
coordinating, monitoring, and policy-making entity tasked to develop and
implement the NACP. It shall be composed of representatives from relevant
government agencies, civil society organizations, family support groups, and most
importantly, self-advocates—persons with autism themselves. The bill also provides
for a national Panel of Technical Experts, composed of duly recognized
professionals across disciplines, to guide the Sub-Committee in evidence-based and
context-specific approaches.

The NACP envisions a society where persons with autism are not left behind. It will
provide for:

Early screening and diagnosis of children and individuals at risk,

* Strengthened epidemiological research and data gathering,


Inclusive and continuous education for learners with autism,

«Training programs for families, caregivers, teachers, and public service
frontliners,

Access to employment and livelihood opportunities,

* Appropriate support and accommodation during emergencies, disasters, and
in accessing transportation and justice,

Comprehensive information campaigns to foster public understanding and
respect,

Equitable access to insurance and financial services, and

Inclusion of autism-related services in PhilHealth benefits.

Crucially, the measure also encourages local government units (LGUs) to
mainstream autism care and implement localized programs in coordination with
national agencies and autism support networks. Through this, interventions may be
brought closer to where they are most needed—within the homes, schools, and
communities of every Filipino family.

This Act does not only provide a framework for care—it asserts that persons with
autism are entitled to the same rights, opportunities, and dignity as all
other citizens. By institutionalizing support systems, harmonizing agency roles,
and engaging civil society, this bill aims to transform public policy into a platform
for inclusion, empowerment, and human development.

‘As such, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

REP. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG
15' District, Lanao Del Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. _ 876

INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG

AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL AUTISM CARE PLAN, ESTABLISHING A
SUB-COMMITTEE ON AUTISM UNDER THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON
DISABILITY AFFAIRS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Autism
Care Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and
promote the right to health of the people to full, healthy, and holistic development.
To this end, the State shall promote an environment conducive to the development
of persons with autism to become, to the best of their potentials, independent,
self-reliant, and productive members of society.

The State commits itself to the establishment of institutional and social
mechanisms to support children and adult persons with autism and their families,
develop a clear and consistent pathway to early detection and diagnosis, provide
easy access to quality health care, education, and employment opportunities such
that persons with autism may live independently within the community, to
minimize or completely eradicate discrimination, and to enable the private sector
to extend relevant services that will complement the government's programs. The
State recognizes and respects the preferences and differences of the members of
the community, including the use of identity-first or person-first language.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a. Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental
condition characterized by challenges with communication, social skills,
restrictive and repetitive behaviors, as well as by unique strengths, as
defined in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders;

s

. Diagnosis refers to necessary assessments, including, but not limited to
neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental evaluations, genetic testing,
neuroimaging, neurophysiologic examination, hearing tests, psychometric
tests to diagnose autism/and or developmental disabilities in individuals;


9

. Disability refers to 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;

a

. Epidemiology refers to the study and analysis of the distribution and
determinants of health conditions in defined populations;

©

. Habilitation refers to an integrated approach to physical, psychological,
cultural, spiritual, educational, or vocational, measures that create
conditions for individuals to attain the highest possible level of functional
ability and quality of life;

. Inclusive Education refers to the process of addressing and responding to
the diversity of needs of all learners by moving towards the end-goal of full
participation, presence, and achievement in learning cultures and
communities, which involves accommodation, modification, adaptation, and
individualization in content, approaches, structures, and strategies. It
involves equitable opportunities for learners with disabilities to receive
educational services, and the needed support and related services with
their age-appropriate peer groups and, as far as practicable, in such
schools or Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs) nearest their
homes or residences, in order to prepare them to live as fully functional
members of society;

2

Intervention refers to the interceding action undertaken to help improve
the autism prognosis. Intervention in autism may take the form of, medical,
pharmacological, therapeutic, educational, and non-traditional habilitative
care, and all other support services;

s

. Rehabilitation a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and
reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with
their environment; and

. Service providers - any person or entity that provides a service to the
public. This can include businesses, government agencies, and non-profit
organizations.

SEC. 4. Inter-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Mechanism. - A Sub-Committee

on Autism, herein referred to as the Sub-Committee, is hereby created, under the
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) which shall serve as an inter-agency
and multi-sectoral policy-making and coordinative mechanism to develop and
implement a sustainable National Autism Care Plan (NACP).

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Sub-Committee. - The Sub-

Committee shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Develop the NACP, a roadmap in addressing the holistic needs of Filipinos
with autism and their families, such as health, education, employment,
among others, for the guidance of stakeholders in the private and public
sectors, calibrated to meet the changing needs of society and
developments in technology;

(b)Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the NACP and
the protection of rights of persons with autism, with the concerned
government and non-governmental agencies;


()Design campaigns that promote public awareness, acceptance,
accommodation, and appreciation of persons with autism;

(d)Undertake research in collaboration with private and public entities
regarding autism in the Philippines;

(e)Enhance the programs and capabilities of the government to provide
nationally available services that support persons with autism and their
families, in areas including, but not limited to screening, diagnoses, early
intervention, education, training, employment, and livelihood;

(f) Assist the private and public sector in the design and delivery of support
programs for persons with autism and their families;

(g)Develop capacity-building programs, incentives, and awards, for persons
with autism to enhance their potentials as independent, self-reliant, and
productive members of society;

(h)Establish networks with other organizations, institutions, and
professionals working for the promotion of public policy and programs for
persons with autism, and support groups for families of persons with
autism;

(i) Receive donations and grants from international donor institutions,
foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies,
involved in the direct services for persons with autism;

(j) Enter into memoranda of agreement with government and non-
governmental entities for the implementation of various programs for
persons with autism; and

(k)Perform other acts as may be necessary, proper, or incidental to the
attainment of purposes and objectives of this Act.

SEC. 6. Composition of the Sub-Committee on Autism. - The Sub-
Committee shall be composed of the heads of office of the following agencies:

. The NCDA as Chairperson;

The DOH as Vice Chairperson;

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);

. The DepEd;

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);

. The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health

and Research Development (DOST-PCHRD);

. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED);

The Commission on Civil Service (CSC);

The Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA);

. The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC);
Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH);

. The National Institutes for Health (NIH);

. Three (3) representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
with programs and advocacy for persons with autism;

0. Two (2) representatives from duly accredited associations of families of

persons with autism; and
p. Two (2) representatives from NGOs composed of autism self-advocates.

Barns erpance

Except for members from government agencies, the members of the Sub-
Committee shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee.


The heads of office of government agencies may designate official permanent
representatives to the Sub-Committee, whose rank shall not be lower than an
Assistant Secretary or its equivalent: Provided, That the designated representative
has no vote, unless authorized in writing.

The members of the Sub-Committee shall be appointed not later than thirty
(30) days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Members representing the
non-government agencies shall serve for a term of three (3) years renewable upon
recommendation of the Sub-Committee and approval of the President for a
maximum of two (2) consecutive terms. In case of vacancy, the successor
appointed to fill the same shall serve only the unexpired portion of the term of the
member he/she succeeds to.

All members of the Sub-Committee shall receive per diem as may be
determined by the Sub-Committee, in accordance with existing budget and
accounting rules and regulations.

The Sub-Committee shall meet at least quarterly or as often as necessary. The
presence of a majority of the members of the Sub-Committee shall constitute a
quorum.

The Sub-Committee shall have a Secretariat which will coordinate the functions
and organize the programs, plans, and activities pursuant to this Act. The NCDA
shall determine the necessary staffing requirements of the Sub-Committee, subject
to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
and in compliance with the civil service and other pertinent laws, rules and
regulations.

SEC. 7. The National Autism Care Plan. - The Sub-Committee on Autism
shall spearhead and coordinate with government agencies and other stakeholders
on the implementation of the NACP.

The programs and services under the NACP shall include, among others, the
following:

(a)Information campaigns - The DOH, DepEd, NCDA, DSWD, CHED, TESDA, and
PCMH shall, in accordance with their respective mandates, conduct various
forms of information campaigns, as follows:

1. Publication such as manuals, infographics, and easily readable instruction
materials on early detection, management, intervention, habilitation,
rehabilitation, and care of autism;

2. Publication of a newsletter on current developments, milestones, best
practices, resources, and research on autism;

3. Promotion of early screening of children and individuals at higher risk for
‘such disability;

4. Other platforms for families of persons with autism such as online
resources, educational aids, guides, and other suitable alternatives in
local languages;

5. The NCDA shall create and develop a central database of professionals
and childcare institutions concerned with the case and development of
persons with autism; and


6. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct collaborative information
campaigns as may be necessary.

(b)Health -

1. The DOH shall implement epidemiological surveillance programs to
establish a databank and information and monitoring system (IMS) on the
demographic, socio-economic, and total incidence and prevalence of
persons with autism in the country;

2. The DOH, PCMH, PCHRD, the Early Childhood Care and Development
(ECCD) Council, DepEd’s ILRCs shall, in coordination with other concerned
agencies:

a. Strengthen research focus on autism;

b. Promote, create, develop, and adopt strategic plans that will
continue to determine and establish evidence-based practices for
interventions, care, and integration into society of persons with
autism;

c. Expand research into the link between environmental factors and
autism; and

d. Continue investigations into causation, diagnosis, early detection,
and interventions for autism spectrum disorders.

Such factors that will be studied shall include, among others, infection
and immune function, hormonal and reproductive factors, genetic factors,
gastro-intestinal factors, and sociodemographic factors; and

3. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct collaborative health
programs, plans, and activities as may be necessary.

(c) Education - The DOH, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DSWD, and shall, in accordance
with their respective mandates, conduct various forms of education programs,
plans, and activities in cooperation with other concerned agencies, as follows:

1. Continuing education and training programs on the proper handling of
persons with autism;

2. Continuing education and training of families, teachers, therapists, and
caregivers of persons with autism through seminars, conventions, and
other forms of educational tools;

3. Continuing education and training on autism for public service providers to
sensitize and empower them as effective front liners in the delivery of
services to persons with autism and their families;

4. Curriculum development for continuing education to assist individuals in
recognizing the need for and using valid and reliable screening tools;

5. “Teach the Teachers” Program on specialized and holistic training for
health and education professionals;

6. Formulation of guidelines, policies, protocols, and individualized programs
on inclusive education for school children, young students, and other
learners with autism, in matters including, but not limited to discrimination,
acceptance to academic or training programs, instructional support, and
behavior management; and


7. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct collaborative education
programs, plans, and activities as may be necessary.

(d)Employment and livelihood - The DOLE and CSC shall formulate policies and
initiate and implement programs to ensure that persons with autism are
provided opportunities for gainful employment and apprenticeship both in the
private and public sectors.

(e) Other Support Programs -

1. The DILG and Department of National Defense shall provide lifesaving
support to persons with autism with behavioral and communication
challenges, in times of disasters, calamities, situations of armed conflict,
and other emergencies, ensure their inclusion on the list of priority
sectors;

2. The Department of Transportation shall formulate policies and protocols to
ensure that persons with autism with behavioral and communication
challenges and their families are given reasonable accommodation in
accessing all forms of transportation by land, sea, and air;

3. The Department of Justice (DOJ) shall formulate policies and protocols to
ensure criminal justice agencies and professionals shall provide the
accommodations and protections to persons with autism with behavioral
and communication challenges, who may be accused of, are victims of, or
are witnesses to crimes;

4, The DOJ and the Commission on Human Rights shall promulgate
guidelines and standards to ensure that interventions and programs for
persons with autism do not violate their basic human rights, particularly
as regards their rights to determine their own decisions.

5. All other concerned agencies shall, in accordance with their respective
mandates, conduct orientation and counselling services for families of
persons newly diagnosed with autism and establish Family Support
Networks and Sibling Programs;

6. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct other collaborative support
programs, plans, and activities as may be necessary.

SEC.8. Panel of Technical Experts. - The Sub-Committee shall constitute a
national panel of technical experts consisting of practitioners related to autism,
such as, but not limited to:

a. One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of
medical doctors in the Philippines;

b. One (1) representative from the speech-language pathologists’
national organization, duly recognized by the Professional
Regulation Commission;

c. One (1) representative from the developmental and behavioral
pediatricians’ national organization, duly recognized by the
Professional Regulation Commission;

d. One (1) representative from the psychologists’ national
organization, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation
Commission;

e. One (1) representative from the dieticians’ national organization,
duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission;


f. One (1) representative from the occupational therapists’ national
organization, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation
Commission;

g. One (1) representative from the social workers’ national
organization, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation
Commission;

h. One (1) representative from the developmental educators’ national
organization, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation
Commission; and

i. One (1) representative from the disability support workers’ national
organization, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation
Commission.

The Panel shall provide professional and technical advice to the Sub-Committee
in science, technologies, and best practices for autism.

The Sub-Committee shall set the qualifications and per diems for the technical
experts. The Sub-Committee or through the collaborative programs and plans of its
member agencies and organizations shall provide resources for the operations and
activities of the Panel.

SEC. 9. Local Government Support. — Local government units (LGUs) shall
promote the NACP in their respective territorial jurisdictions. LGUs may enter into
joint ventures with national agencies and organizations or associations with
programs and advocacy for persons with autism, to explore livelihood opportunities
and other undertakings that shall enhance the health, physical fitness, and the
economic and social well-being of persons with autism.

The Sub-Committee and the DILG shall coordinate with LGUs in the
mainstreaming of the NACP.

SEC. 10. Consultation with Stakeholders. - The Sub-Committee shall, in
collaboration with professionals, networks and support groups for persons with
autism, hold broad consultations and massive information campaigns on the various
programs, with government and non-governmental stakeholders.

SEC. 11. PhilHealth Coverage. - The Sub-Committee shall facilitate the
necessary Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage for
persons with autism, including early screening and detection programs,
immediately from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 12. Protection Against Discrimination in Insurance and Other
Financial Instruments. - The Department of Finance shall, within 180 days from
the effectivity of this Act, formulate policies and protocols to ensure that all
financial service providers such as banks, insurance companies, and health
maintenance organizations (HMOs) shall provide persons with autism equitable
access to their services and products.

SEC. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Sub-Committee
shall, in consultation and coordination with appropriate national government
agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, no later than 180 days
upon the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 15. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, presidential proclamations, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,