FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S. 6. No. 
618 
~ 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
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 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 sought. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
7 .iUL -3 
;\ :‘ ‘(‘8 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B.NO. 
618 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. Declaration of Policy. - 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 15 of every 10,000 individuals; 
Disability - shall mean 1) 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; 


9) 
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. 
h) 
i) 
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: 
plan on autism; 
1) Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master 
2) Create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinic; 
3) Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults; 
4) Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic; 
5) Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, medical 
6) Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral 
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 govern the Center for Autism 
and shall be composed of the following: 
and health workers on the nature and management of autism; 
activities; and 
1) One(1) representative from the Department of Health, who shall sit as 
2) One(1) representative from the Department of Education who shall sit 
3) One (1) representative from the Department of Social Welfare and 
4) Two (2) representatives from the National Council for the Welfare of 
5) Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as 
6) Two (2) representatives from the Parents of Children and Adults with 
Chairperson; 
as the Vice-Chairperson; 
Development as Member; 
Disabled Persons as Members; 
Members; 
Autism as Members. 


SEC. 5. Secretariat - The Board shall have a Secretariat under an 
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 have the following 
powers and functions: 
1) 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 
4) Submit an annual budget and such supplementary budgets as may be 
annual report to the Board and such other reports it may require; 
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 shall perform the following functions: 
1) Assist the executive Officer in the discharge of his powers and 
2) Act as the Executive Officer during the Executive Officer's absence; 
3) Discharge such other powers and functions as may be required by the 
functions; 
and, 
Executive Officer and the Board 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. - For the initial operating expenses of the 
Center, the amount of Five Million Pesos (5,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated 
from the available funds of 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 (180) 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. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Board in 
consultation with 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. 70. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act, be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, no other provisions hereof be affected 
thereby. 
SEC. 7I. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 
Approved,