NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE 
O'
S. No.
o( tlie
*22 JUL-7 P5 51
RrCEL/S:DBV;
990
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE 
EARLY DETECTION AND TIMELY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR 
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
It is estimated that one out of seven or around 5.1 million Filipino children are 
living with disabilities.
Children with disabilities continue to experience barriers to access basic social 
services. Children with disabilities are less likely to attend school, access medical 
services, or have their voices heard in society. Their disabilities also place them at a 
higher risk of physical abuse and discrimination.
Through this legislation, a framework is envisioned wherein society must adapt 
its structures and mechanisms to ensure that children, irrespective of age, gender, 
and disability, must enjoy the human rights that are inherent in their human dignity. 
Disability cannot be considered in isolation, having special needs should not be a 
badge for discrimination.
This bill aims to put in place a comprehensive and coordinated health policy 
on children with special needs that would provide the directions and interventions


that must be undertaken by and among concerned agencies in an effective and timely 
manner.
MARK A. VILLAR
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
of Il’-C
•22 JUL-7 P5S1
SENATE
220
m-CBV.OBY;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AM ACT
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE 
EARLY DETECTION AND TIMELY INTERYENTICN SERVICES FOR 
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Early Detection and
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Intervention Services for Children with Mental Illness Act of2022."
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Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 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.
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Sec 3. Definition of Terms. -The following terms shall mean:
a) Special Needs shall mean a variety of conditions, difficulties, and 
impairments, including but not limited to chronic and termina! 
illnesses, physical impairments, behavioral, cognitive, or psychiatric 
issues, and learning disability that causes an individual to require 
additional or specialized services or accommodations such as 
education or recreation. A special needs child may have a life- 
threatening condition or they may have severe learning disabilities.
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b) Intervention shall mean educational methods and positive behavioral 
support strategies designed to improve the condition of a child 
suffering from a mental disorder.
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Sec 4. Early Detection and Timely Intervention Services. ~ The Department of 
Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH)^ and the Department of Interior 
and Local Government (DILG) shall undertake to develop a program providing for 
comprehensive accessible and affordable early detection and timely intervention 
services for children with special needs. The objectives of this proor^rn inclL*17^0 Kii-*- 
not limited to the following:
a) To increase awareness^ reduce barriers to screening and diagnosis, 
promote and evidence-based interventions for children with special 
needs or other developmental disabilities.
b) To build a qualified and adequately trained workforce prepared to 
provide special needs services for children and their families.
c) To conduct a comprehensive, multi-faceted public awareness campaign 
to educate families, the general public, and other key audiences about 
the benefits of children's social and emotional development, and how to 
access services.
d) To create a quality-driven children's special needs system with shared 
accountability among agencies and programs that conducts ongoing 
needs assessments, uses outcome indicators and benchmarks to 
measure progress, and implements a quality data tracking and reporting 
system.
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Sec 5. Special Needs Centers. - All local government units shall endeavor to
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establish special needs centers offering early intei^ention and transition programs and
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shall provide programs and services that will prepare special needs children on
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activities in mainstream society.


Sec 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd and the DOH, in 
coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, and in 
consultation with the relevant private sector practitioners and representatives of the 
academic community, shall promulgate the necessary Implementing Rules and 
Regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act, within ninety (90) days from its 
effectivity.
Sec 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged to the appropriations or funds of the implementing agencies and 
concerned Local Government Units.
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Sec 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect.
Sec 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,