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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE MPLBLIC) 
Second Regular Session 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to Article XI11 Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution: 
The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social 
services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs 
of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall 
endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. 
Autism is a brain development disorder that is characterized by impaired social 
interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before a child 
is three years old. Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex 
and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multigene interactions or by rare mutations. 
In rare cases, autism i s  strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Other proposed 
causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial; the vaccine hypotheses lack convincing 
scientific evidence. Most recent reviews estimate a prevalence of one to two cases per 1,000 
people for autism, and about six per 1,000 for ASD, with ASD averaging a 4.3: 1 male-to-female 
ratio. The iiuniber of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, at 
least partly as a result of changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual 
prevalence has increased is unresolved. 
The causes o f  Autism and other disorders that becomes manifest during childhood must 
be identified so that preventive measures will be institutionalized. The knowledge that we will 
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gain though a comprehensive approach to this problem will benefit not only our country, but 
also the worldwide scientific community. 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO 
AUTISM, AND INFANT AND TODDLER IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Adviso y Panel on Autism and Inznzune Deficiency Disorders in Infants and 
Toddlers. The Department of Health shall create an advisory panel to: 
a) Review medical and scientific data regarding any relationship between infant and 
toddler iminune system development and adverse reactions to childhood 
immunizations; 
b) Facilitate the development and use of an autism registry to help study the causes of 
autism; 
c) Review scientific data regarding the genetic and environmental components of autism 
and immune system disorders and how that information may lead to preventive 
measures; 
d) Create a public awareness campaign, based on the findings of the advisory panel; to 
educate parents and health care providers about the causes and risk factors for autism 
and infant and toddler immune system disorders; and 
e) Report to the Legislature about its findings. 
SECTION 2. Duration and Composition. 
a) The advisory panel shall meet for a two-year period, beginning on the effectivity of 
this Act, and shall consist of the following members: 
(i) The Secretary of Health; 
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(ii) Two physicians with specialization in pediatrics or genetics, appointed by the 
Philippine Medical Association; 
(iii) A geneticist appointed by the National Academy of Science and 
Technology 
b) Members of the advisory panel will not be compensated for their service on the panel. 
c) The Department of Health shall provide staff support to the advisorypanel. 
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, &ended or modified 
accordingly. 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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