Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. at 29

introduced by Rep. Winston T. Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is high time to enact a law for special children not only as matter of declared policy of
the State as echoed in various other existing laws, deorees, rules and regulations and the like.

Children with special needs or those afflicted with autism and ADHD syndromes which
are maladies that now have become endemic and pervasive among families in depressed areas
deserve care and intervention.

‘The Constitution provides that the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens
to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all

This has been stressed in P.D. No. 603, R.A. 7277, Proclamation No. 240, DBM-DSWD
Joint Circular No. 2003-01, Section 458 (5) (xiv) of the Local Government Code of 1991, and
Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 or the Special Education Act of 1982.

A strong legal framework has been made the basis of this humble measure.

This bill envisions that Special Education Centers for Children be established in every
municipality, city and province such that in their respective areas, the needs of special children
will be addressed properly and effectively.

act as a supervising agency to ably ensure the full erfoyment by chitgren with disabilities of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equA |

It is in this light that this humble represefttation strongly seek tHe bill's enactment into
law, hence this submission.

—— er

ae
INSTON T. CASTELO
District, Quezon City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
/ Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo._2129

Introduced by Rep. Winston T. Castelo

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING SPECIAL EDUCATION CENTERS FOR CHILDREN WITH
SPECIAL NEEDS IN EVERY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Special Children Act of 2010.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — (a) It is the declared policy of the State to
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and
to take appropriate steps to make such education access to all.

(b) It is the policy of the State to take all necessary measures to
ensure the full enjoyment by children with disabilities of all
human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis
with other children for quality education as stipulated in Article
7 of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons
with Disabilities.

() It is the policy of the State to protect the rights of children to
include children with disabilities toward their integration into
mainstream of society as stipulated in Presidential Decree No.
603 and Chapter 2, Section 14 of Republic Act No, 7277,
Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 or the Special Education Act of
1982 and other issuances.


}
/ SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms
or words and phrases shall mean or be understood as follows:

f 1. "Special children” means children afflicted with autism, ADHD, ASD
} and other development disorder. The term refers to children with

/ disabilities who have no access and/or limited access to education
tf 2. “Autism” means a psychiatric disorder of childhood characterized by
/ marked deficits in communication and social interaction, preoccupation

with fantasy, language impairment, and abnormal behavior, such as
repetitive acts and excessive attachment to certain objects. It is
usually associated with intellectual impairment.

“ADHD” means Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder.

“Teacher volunteers” refers to those who completed the required
seminars for special education and duly certified by the Special
Children's Board.

“Special Education” is the education of persons who are physically,
mentally, emotionally, socially and culturally different from so-called
“normal” individuals that they require modification of school
practices/services to develop them to their maximum capacity. It
addresses the need for access to quality education to gifted and
talented children and those with disabilities.

3
4

SEC. 4 Coverage. - This Act shall cover all cities and municipalities in
either urban or rural areas: Provided, that the provinces are covered for
purposes of the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 5 Mandate. — Every municipality, city and province covered under
this Act shall establish and maintain Special Education Centers for Children with
Special Needs in their respective communities. Toward this end, all local
government units shall provide a sustainable program for the care and
intervention of children with special needs such as children with autism, those
afflicted with mental and psychological underdevelopment, and children with
physical disability.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. — A municipal, city, or provincial Special
Children Wellness Board shall be created as supervising agency with the
following powers and functions

1. Account for all special children in their respective communities

2. Formulate lifelong policies and oversee the entire operation of the
program

3. Hire and employ adequate number of technically skilled teachers,
trained personnel, or teacher volunteers to be stationed in certain
areas with salaries commensurate to their qualification that would
proportionately fit the total number of special children in a given area



4. Provide easy access to educational and rehabilitation services to
special children and their families

5. Conduct seminars and training on the proper management and
education of special children and their parents

6. Motivate the family members to actively participate in the rehabilitation
programs of their children

7. Provide opportunities to wellness day care workers to enhance their
knowledge and skills in assisting persons with disabilities to organize a
formal group

8. Develop parents of children with disabilities by organizing the into an
association accredited and recognized by the LGUs

9. Educate and train the parents, family members and personal
assistants to work closely together with wellness day care workers in
the management of children with disabilities and

10.Generate public awareness and support in mainstreaming children with
disabilities into he community through various advocacy and
networking activities

SEC. 6 Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
Of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations
Act of the year following its enactment and every year thereafter.

SEC. 7 Implementation. — For the effective implementation of this Act, the
National Council on Disability Affairs, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, the Department of Interior and Local Government shall formulate
the Implementing Rules and Regulations, monitor and coordinate with Local
Government Units and other concemed agencies and non-government
organizations.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations and other issuances or part or parts thereof
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any provision of this Act
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected
thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.

SEC. 10 Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect after its publication
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,