FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.12 73 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Autism is a developmer)tal disorder of brain function which is typically 
manifested in impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal 
communication and imagination, and unusual or severely limited activities and 
interests. These symptoms generally appear during the first three years of 
childhood and continue throughout life, often taking devastating emotional and 
financial tolls on the family of the autistic child. 
Best estimates indicate that one in 500 children born in the country will 
be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and that 12,000 individuals in 
the country have autism or an autism spectrum disorder. However, these 
numbers may be understated because of current diagnostic procedures and 
reporting requirements. There is a clear need for greater accuracy in reporting 
as well as for information on' the epidemiologic data on the incidence and 
prevalence of autism in the country. 
The State currently requires that a number of other conditions certain 
be reported and maintained in 'a central registry. A similar registry for autism 
is needed to improve current knowledge and understanding of autism, to 
conduct thorough and complete epidemiologic surveys of the disorder, to 
enable analysis of this problem and to plan for and provide services to 
children with autism and their families. 
The approval of this bill is earnestly recommended. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.12 7 3 
.! LJ 
JUL 12 P 3 :3~ 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AUTISM REGISTRY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known and cited as the "Autism 
Registry Act". 
SECTION 2. Duty of Health Care Professional- A physician, psychologist 
and any other health care professional licensed who is qualified by training to 
make the diagnosis and who then makes the diagnosis that a child is affected 
with autism shall report this diagnosis to the Department of Health in a form 
and manner prescribed by the Secretary of Health. 
The report shall be in writing and shall include the name and address of 
the person submitting the report, the name, age and address of the child 
diagnosed as having autism, and other pertinent information as may be 
required by the Secretary. 
A physician, psychologist or health care professional providing 
information to the department in accordance with this act shall not be deemed 
to be, or held liable for, divulging confidential information. 
SECTION 3. Duty of the Department of Health- The Department shall 
establish and maintain an up-to-date registry which shall include a record of 
all reported cases of autism that occur in the country and any other 
information it deems relevant and appropriate in order to conduct thorough 
and complete epidemiologic surveys of autism, to enable analysis of this 
problem and to plan for and provide services to children with autism and their 
families. 
SECTION 4. Exclusive Use of the Reports- The reports made pursuant to 
this act are to be used only by the Department of Health and other agencies 
as may be designated by the Secretary and shall not otherwise be divulged or 
made public so as to disclose the identity of any person to whom they relate; 


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and, to that end, the reports shall not be included under materials available to 
public inspections. 
SECTION 5. Prohibition- Nothing in this act shall be construed to compel 
a child who has been reported as affected with autism to submit to medical or 
health examination or supervision by the Department. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations- The Secretary of 
Health shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act within thirty (30) days after approval of this 
Act. 
SECTION 7. Appropriation- There is appropriated from the general fund 
to the Department of Health Php 5,000,000.00 to effectuate the purposes of 
this Act. 
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general publication. 
Approved.