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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIdIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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lntroduted by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
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j EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Autism is a developmental disability that appears during the first three years of 
life and severely hinders the way information is gathered and processed by the brain, 
causing problems in communication, learning and social behaviors. This disability is 
more prevalent in boys than in girls and does not recognize racial, ethnic, or social 
boundaries.. Each autistic child or adult may exhibit any combination of the behaviors 
in any degree of severity. It is estimated that one out of 500 Filipinos are autistic or 
approximately 140,000 Filipinos of the 70 million population. Of those affected, only 
1 10% have been diagnosed. 
Autism as a disability is virtually unknown in the Philippines. For such a long 
time, this sector has been lacking in government support. Government resources which 
were poured in on autism programs were not sufficient. 
Because of the lack of 
educational and financial support from the government, it is only the upper and middle 
class families who can afford to send their autistic children to special schools. 
Undeniably, addressing the needs of autistic individuals would require the 
political will to effect comprehensive and integrated plan for autism. In addition to this, 
there is likewise a lack of trained and equipped teachers and medical and health 
workers who can cater to the special needs of children and adults with autism. These 
considerations reflect the need of establishing a center for autism which will specifically 
focus on the needs of children and adults with autism which will hopefully enable them 
to be productive members of society. 
In view of the above mentioned considerations, immediate passage of this 
proposed measure is earnestly sbught. 
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Senator 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. B. No. I02 
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled : 
SECTION 1. 
Declaration of Pohy. - It is hereby recognized that autism 
remains to be unknown in the Philippines because of the lack of government support. 
Until now, autistic individual belong to the marginalized sectors of Philippine society, 
preventing their total rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance. 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms below shall 
be construed to mean, except where explicitly indicated or where the text clearly 
indicates otherwise , as follows: 
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; autism and its associated behaviors occur in approximately I 5  of 
every 10,000 individuals; 
Disability - shall mean I} 
a physical or mental impairment to 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) being regarded as having such an impairment; 
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; 


Disabled Worker - means a worker whose earning capacity is impaired by 
mental, physical, or sensory deficiency or injury; 
Handicap - refers to a disadvantage for given individual, resulting from an 
impairment or disability that limits or prevents the function of activity, that is 
considered normal given the age and sex of the individual; 
Impairment - is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, 
physiological, or anatomical structure or function; 
Indigent patient - a disabled person whose level of income falls below the 
poverty threshold; 
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, 
Special Education (SPED) - that type of education specifically designed for 
learners with special needs who can not profit maximally from regular 
education such that they require trained personnel, modifications in the 
curricula, teaching methods, instructional materials and adaptations in 
facilities equipment. 
SEC. 3. Creation of a Center for Autism. - There is hereby created a Center 
for Autism which shall be tasked to perform the following functions: 
‘I ) 
Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master 
2) 
3) 
4) 
5) 
plan on autism; 
Create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinic; 
Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults; 
Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic; 
Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, medical and 
health workers on the nature and management of autism; 
6) 
Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral 
activities; and 
7) 
Increase public awareness and concern on autism by spearheading 
advocacy programs. 
SEC. 4. Governing board, Composition, Term, Functions. - There is 
Hereby created a National Autism Board referred as to the Board, which shall be under 
the Office of the President. The Board shall be composed of the following: 


One(l) representative from the Department of Health, who shall sit as 
Chairperson; 
One(1) representative from the Department of Education, Culture and 
Sports who shall sit as the Vice-Chairperson; 
One (1) representative from the Department of Social Welfare and 
development as Member; 
Two (2) representatives from the National council for the Welfare of 
Disabled Persons as Members; 
Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as 
Members; 
Two (2) representatives from the Parents of Children and Adults with 
Autism as Members. 
SEC. 5. Secretariat. - The Board shall have a Secretariat under Executive 
Officer who shall be appointed by the President. 
The Executive Officer shall manage the day-to day operations of the Board and 
shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Officer who shall likewise be appointed by the 
President. The Executive Officer shall the following powers and functions: 
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Execute, administer and implement the policies and measures approved 
by the Board; 
2 
Direct and supervise the affairs and operations of the Board; 
3 
Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of every calendar year an 
annual report to the Board and such other reports it may require; 
4 
Submit an annual budget and such supplementary budgets as may be 
necessary to the Board for its consideration and approval; 
5 
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, 


6. 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 perform the following functions: 
I) Assist the executive Officer in the discharge of his powers and functions; 
2) 
Act as the Executive Officer during the Executive Officer’s absence; and, 
3) 
Discharge such other powers and functions as may be required by the 
Executive Officer and the Board 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - for the initial operating expenses of the Center, the 
amount of Five Million Pesos (5,000,000) is hereby appropriated to the Office of the 
President. Thereafter, it shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management, its 
proposed budget for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 7. Transitory Provisions. -Within the period of one hundred and eighty 
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80) days after the approval of this Act, the Board constituted shall start its operation. 
All other government offices having functions similar to the Board shall then 
cease to perform such functions. Henceforth, these functions shall be deemed 
transferred to the Board. 
SEC. 8. lmplemenfing Rules and Regulafions. - The Board appropriates 
agencies from the private and government sectors shall issue guidelines and prescribe 
rules and regulations within one hundred (120) days after the effectivity of this Act which 
shall be published in two(2) newspapers of general circulation. A copy of such 
guidelines, rules and regulations shall be furnished the Congress of the Philippines. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
and other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are 
hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 10. Separabiljfy Clause. - Should any provision of this Act, be declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof be affected thereby. 


SEC. 11, €fYectkity. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
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Approved,,