4. li'
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 687
ifJffKl' Ol ii
25 JUL17 P2:14
lUiCEIViDBV
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
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
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition 
characterized by differences in social communication and interaction, as well as 
patterns of repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, or atypical sensory experiences. 
These traits typically emerge in early childhood and often become more noticeable as 
developmental demands increase.
Globally, ASD affects approximately 1 in 100 children, with an estimated 61.8 
million individuals on the spectrum. It is one of the leading non-fatal health burdens 
among youth, underscoring the urgent need for early diagnosis, inclusive services, 
and sustained support. This highlights the importance of a national autism care plan 
that can respond to the needs of individuals with autism and their families throughout 
their lives.
In 2014, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA67.8, urging 
member states to develop comprehensive and coordinated national strategies for 
Autism Spectrum Disorder. The resolution emphasizes early detection, community- 
based interventions, family support, and multi-sectoral collaboration to improve the 
quality of life for autistic individuals and their families. This global call to action 
reinforces the need for a national framework that ensures accessible, inclusive, and 
lifelong services.
In the Philippines, the Autism Society Philippines estimates a prevalence rate 
of 1 in every 100 individuals—translating to approximately 1.2 million Filipinos on the 
autism spectrum. However, the Philippine katistics Authority has yet to release 
updated and specific data on ASD prevalence. While awareness and understanding of 
autism are increasing, stigma and misconceptions persist. Furthermore, access to


healthcare and support services remains limited, often placing a significant financial 
burden on families.
This proposed legislation seeks to establish a National Autism Care Plan, 
providing a coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable framework for supporting Filipinos 
on the autism spectrum and their families. The bill aims to promote early diagnosis, 
improve access to quality health care, education, and employment opportunities, and 
uphold the rights and dignity of individuals with autism at every stage of life.
Key provisions of the bill include:
Establishment of a Sub-Committee on Autism under the National Council on 
Disability Affairs to spearhead policy development and oversee the 
implementation of the National Autism Care Plan.
Development of a comprehensive roadmap addressing the health, education, 
employment, and social needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. 
Promotion of multi-sectoral collaboration involving government agencies, non­
government organizations, the private sector, and autism self-advocates. 
Implementation of capacity-building programs for families, caregivers, and 
service providers to strengthen support systems and service delivery.
Launch of nationwide public awareness campaigns to foster acceptance, reduce 
stigma, and protect the rights of autistic individuals.
Mandate for local government units (LGUs) to integrate and actively support 
autism care programs within their jurisdictions.
Inclusion of autism-related services under PhilHealth coverage and assurance 
of non-discrimination in financial and insurance services.
Allocation of sufficient funding to ensure the effective implementation and long­
term sustainability of the National Autism Care Plan.
This legislation, a product of consultation and collaboration with advocates led 
by Autism Society Philippines, represents a critical step toward creating a more 
inclusive society where every Filipino with autism can live with dignity, participate 
meaningfully, and receive the support they need to thrive.
Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RIS
VEROS 
Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
.•'c l' i •; 
■
cf ■, ■ --
25 JUL 17 P2:14
SENATE
S.B. No.
687
RECEIvrOEV:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
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 Plan 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 developing persons 
on the autism spectrum to become independent, self-reliant, and productive members 
of society, realizing their full potential.
The State commits itself to the establishment of institutional and social 
mechanisms to support children and adult persons on the autism spectrum 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 on the autism spectrum 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 
community members, including the use of identity-first or person-first language.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:


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a) Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a neurodevelopmental
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condition characterized by challenges with communication, social skills,
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restrictive and repetitive behaviors, as well as by unique strengths, as defined
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in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
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Disorders;
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b) Diagnosis refers to necessary assessments, including, but not limited to,
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neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental evaluations, genetic testing,
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neuroimaging, neurophysiological examination, hearing tests, and
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psychometric tests to diagnose autism/and or developmental disabilities in
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individuals;
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c) Disability refers to 1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits
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one or more psychological, physiological, or anatomical function of an individual
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or activities of such individual; 2) a record of such an impairment; or 3)
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regarded as having such an impairment;
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d) Epidemiology refers to the study and analysis of the distribution and
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determinants of health conditions in defined populations;
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e) Habilitation refers to an integrated approach to physical, psychological, cultural,
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spiritual, educational, or vocational 
measures that create conditions for
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individuals to attain the highest possible level of functional ability and quality
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of life;
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f) Inclusive Education refers to the process of addressing and responding to the
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diversity of needs of all learners by moving towards the end-goal of full
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participation, presence, and achievement in learning cultures and communities,
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which involves accommodating, modifying, adapting, and individualizing
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content, approaches, structures, and strategies. It involves equitable
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opportunities for learners with disabilities to receive educational services, and
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the needed support and related services with their age-appropriate peer groups
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and, as far as practicable, in such schools or Inclusive Learning Resource
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Centers (ILRCs) nearest their homes or residences, to prepare them to live as
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fully functional members of society;
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g) Intervention refers to the actions taken to help improve the prognosis of
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autism. Intervention in autism may take the form of medical, pharmacological.


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therapeutic, educational, and non-traditional habilitative care, and all other
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support services;
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h) Rehabilitation is a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and
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reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their
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environment; and
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i) Service providers - any person or entity that provides a service to the public.
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This can include businesses, government agencies, and non-profit
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organizations.
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SEC. 4. Inter-Agency and Multi-Sectoral Mechanism. - A Sub-Committee
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on Autism, herein referred to as the Sub-Committee, is hereby created, under the
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National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), which shall serve as an inter-agency and
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multi-sectoral policy-making and coordinative mechanism to develop and implement
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a sustainable National Autism Care Plan (NACP).
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SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Sub-Committee. - The Sub-
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Committee shall have the following powers and functions:
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a) Develop the NACP, a roadmap in addressing the holistic needs of
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Filipinos on the autism spectrum and their families, such as health,
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education, employment, among others, for the guidance of stakeholders
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in the private and public sectors, calibrated to meet the changing needs
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of society and developments in technology;
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b) Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the NACP and
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the protection of rights of persons on the autism spectrum, with the
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concerned government and non-governmental agencies;
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c) Design campaigns that promote public awareness, acceptance,
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accommodation, and appreciation of persons on the autism spectrum;
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d) Undertake research in collaboration with private and public entities
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regarding autism in the Philippines;
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e) Enhance the programs and capabilities of the government to provide
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nationally available services that support persons on the autism
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spectrum and their families, in areas including, but not limited to,
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screening, diagnosis, early intervention, education, training,
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employment, and livelihood;


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f) Assist the private and public sectors in the design and delivery of support
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programs for persons on the autism spectrum and their families;
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g) Develop capacity-building programs, incentives, and awards for persons
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on the autism spectrum to enhance their potential as independent, self-
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reliant, and productive members of society;
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h) Establish networks with other organizations, institutions, and
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professionals working for the promotion of public policy and programs
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for persons on the autism spectrum, and support groups for families of
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persons on the autism spectrum;
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i) Receive donations and grants from international donor institutions,
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foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies,
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involved in the direct services for persons on the autism spectrum;
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j) Enter into memoranda of agreement with government and non-
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governmental entities for the implementation of various programs for
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persons on the autism spectrum; and
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k) Perform other acts as may be necessary, proper, or incidental to the
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attainment of the purposes and objectives of this Act.
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SEC. 6. Composition of the Sub-Committee on Autism. - The Sub-
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Committee shall be composed of the heads of office of the following agencies:
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a) The NCDA as Chairperson;
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b) The DOH as Vice Chairperson;
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c) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
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d) The Department of Education (DepEd);
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e) The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
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f) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
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g) The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health
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and Research Development (DOST-PCHRD);
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h) The Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
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i) The Commission on Civil Service (CSC);
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j) The Technicai Skills and Development Authority (TESDA);
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k) The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC);
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I) Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH);


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m) The National Institutes for Health (NIH);
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n) Three (3) representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
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with active service programs for Filipinos on the autism spectrum;
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o) Three (2) representatives from NGOs composed of autism self-
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advocates, with active service programs for Filipinos on the autism
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spectrum.
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The chairperson of the subcommittee shall appoint the members, except those
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from government agencies.
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The heads of government agencies may designate official permanent
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representatives to the Sub-Committee, whose rank shall not be lower than an Assistant
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Secretary or its equivalent: Provided, that the designated representative has no vote,
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unless authorized in writing.
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The NGOs designated to the subcommittee must be duly registered with the
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Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the local
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government in which they operate. They must also provide the subcommittee with
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copies of their annual requirements submitted to these government units, reflecting
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their organizational capacity and commitment to good governance.
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The members of the Subcommittee shall be appointed not later than thirty (30)
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days after the enactment of this Act. Members representing non-government agencies
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shall serve for three (3) years, renewable upon the Subcommittee's recommendation
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and the NCDA Board's approval for a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms. In case
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of vacancy, the successor appointed to fill the same shall serve only the unexpired
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portion of the member's term to whom he/she succeeds.
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All members of the Sub-Committee shall receive a per diem as determined by
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the Sub-Committee, in accordance with the existing budget and accounting rules and
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regulations.
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The Subcommittee shall meet at least quarterly or as often as necessary. A
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quorum is formed when a majority of the members are present.
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The Subcommittee shall have a Secretariat to coordinate the functions and
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organize the programs, plans, and activities under this Act. The NCDA shall determine
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the necessary staffing requirements of the Subcommittee, subject to evaluation and


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approval by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and in compliance
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with civil service and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.
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SEC. 7. The National Autism Care Plan. - The Subcommittee on Autism
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shall spearhead and coordinate with government agencies and other stakeholders to
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implement the NACP.
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The programs and services under the NACP shall include, among others, the following:
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a) Information campaigns - The DOH, DepEd, NCDA, DSWD, CHED, TESDA, and
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PCMH shall, following their respective mandates, conduct various forms of
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information campaigns, such as, but not limited to:
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1. Printed and digital publications such as manuals, infographics, and easily
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readable instruction materials on early detection, management,
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intervention, habilitation, rehabilitation, care of autism, best practices,
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resources, and research on autism -- with translations to local
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languages;
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2. A central database of professionals and childcare institutions concerned
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with the care and development of persons on the autism spectrum;
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3. Collaborative information campaigns and activities as necessary.
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b) Health -
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1. The DOH shall implement epidemiological surveillance programs to
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establish a databank and information and monitoring system (IMS) on
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the demographic, socio-economic, and total incidence and prevalence of
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persons on the autism spectrum in the country;
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2. The DOH, PCMH, PCHRD, the Early Childhood Care and Development
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(ECCD) Council, and DepEd's ILRCs shall, in coordination with other
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concerned agencies:
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i. Strengthen research focus on autism;
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ii. Promote, create, develop, and adopt strategic plans that will
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continue to determine and establish evidence-based practices for
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interventions, care, and integration into society of persons on the
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autism spectrum;
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iii. Expand research into the link between environmental factors and
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autism; and


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iv. Continue investigations into causation, diagnosis, early detection,
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and interventions for autism spectrum disorders.
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Such factors that will be studied shall include, among others, infection and
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immune function, hormonal and reproductive factors, genetic factors,
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gastro-intestinal factors, and sociodemographic factors; and
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3. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct collaborative health
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programs, plans, and activities as necessary.
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c) Education - The DOH, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DSWD, and shall, following their
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respective mandates, conduct various forms of education programs, plans, and
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activities in cooperation with other concerned agencies, as follows:
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1. Continuing education and training on autism for public service providers
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to sensitize and empower them as effective front liners in the delivery of
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services to persons on the autism spectrum and their families;
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2. Continuing education and training of families, teachers, therapists, and
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caregivers of persons on the autism spectrum through seminars,
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conventions, and other forms of educational tools;
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3. Continuing education and training of professional teachers and trainers
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through seminars, conventions, and other forms of educational tools to
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ensure nationwide implementation;
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4. Formulation of guidelines, policies, protocols, and individualized
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programs on inclusive education for school children, young students, and
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other learners on the autism spectrum, in matters including, but not
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limited to, discrimination, acceptance to academic or training programs,
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instructional support, and behavior management; and
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5. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct collaborative education
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programs, plans, and activities as necessary.
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d) Employment and livelihood - The DOLE and CSC shall formulate policies and
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initiate and implement programs to ensure that persons on the autism spectrum
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are provided opportunities for gainful employment and apprenticeship, both in
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the private and public sectors.
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e) Other Support Programs -


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1. The DILG and the Department of National Defense shall provide 
lifesaving support to persons on the autism spectrum with behavioral 
and communication challenges, in times of disasters, calamities, armed 
conflict, and other emergencies, and ensure their inclusion on the list of 
priority sectors;
2. The Department of Transportation shall formulate policies and protocols 
to ensure that persons on the autism spectrum 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 that criminal justice agencies and professionals provide the 
accommodations and protections to persons on the autism spectrum 
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 
Filipinos on the autism spectrum do not violate their fundamental human 
rights, particularly their right to make their own decisions.
5. All other concerned agencies shall, following their respective mandates, 
conduct orientation and counselling services for families of persons 
newly diagnosed on the autism spectrum and establish family support 
networks and sibling programs;
6. The Sub-Committee may initiate and conduct other collaborative support 
programs, plans, and activities as necessary.
SEC. 8. Pane! 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 national association of speech-language 
pathologists, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission;
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b) One (1) representative from the national association of developmental and
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behavioral physicians, duly 
recognized 
by the Professional Regulation
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Commission;
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c) One (1) representative from the national association of occupational therapists,
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duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission;
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d) One (1) representative from the national organization of psychologists, duly
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recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission;
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e) One (1) representative from the national association of sociai workers, duly
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recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission;
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f) One (1) representative from the national association of inclusive education
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specialists, duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission; and
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The Panel shall provide the Subcommittee with professional and technical
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advice on science, technologies, and best practices for autism.
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The Subcommittee shall set the qualifications and per diems for the technical
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experts and, through the collaborative programs and plans of its member agencies
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and organizations, provide resources for the Panel's operations and activities.
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SEC. 9. Local Government Support. - Local government units (LGUs) shall
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promote the NACP in their territorial jurisdictions. LGUs may join joint ventures with
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national agencies, organizations, or associations that offer programs and advocacy for
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persons on the autism spectrum to explore livelihood opportunities and other
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undertakings that enhance the health, physical fitness, and economic and social well-
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being of persons on the autism spectrum.
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The Sub-Committee and the DILG shall coordinate with LGUs to mainstream the NACP.
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SEC. 10. Consultation with Stakeholders. - The Subcommittee shall
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conduct broad consultations, in collaboration with government and non-governmentai
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stakehoiders, on various programs and campaigns involving individuals on the autism
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spectrum, their families, and professionals through legally established NGOs.
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SEC. 11. PhilHealth Coverage. - The Subcommittee shali facilitate the
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necessary Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage for persons
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on the autism spectrum immediateiy after this Act becomes effective.
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SEC. 12. Protection Against Discrimination in Insurance and Other
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Financial Instruments. - The Department of Finance shail, within 180 days from


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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 on the autism spectrum with 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 implementing 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 inconsistent with this Act's provisions 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 two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,
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