Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 516

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This proposed measure seeks to establish a comprehensive, inclusive, and lifelong
framework to support persons with autism (PWAS) in the country through the creation of a
Philippine National Autism Care Plan (NACP). The bill mandates the official recognition of
all PWAs as persons with disabilities (PWDs), thereby entitling them to the full range of
benefits and protections under existing laws.

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that
affects one’s social, behavioral, and communication skills. According to the Center for Autism
and Related Disorders (CARD), those with ASD seem to live in a “world of their own” and
seek to find meaning in their confusion by insisting on routine activ ities and repetitive behavior.
The Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) estimates that there are around 1.2 million
Filipinos who grapple with the lifelong developmental challenges associated with ASD.
However, many cases go undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness, stigma, and inaccessibility
or unaffordability of its diagnostic services.

While global awareness and policy interventions have advanced in recent years, our
country's support system for this sector remains fragmented and inadequate. In fact, persons
with autism remain excluded from the full benefits of existing disability and health policies.
They are not explicitly covered by Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons
with Disabilities, as the law does not recognize autism as a distinct disability category.
Likewise, the Department of Health does not include autism in its official list of disabilities, as
individuals with ASD are often classified as having neurological rather than physical or mental
disabilities. This policy gap results in their exclusion from critical services and reinforces
systemic barriers to inclusion.

Aside from that, government support for PWAs is insufficient and fragmented. It is
often limited to urban centers and lacks the necessary inter-agency coordination. Families face
numerous challenges in accessing early diagnosis, sustained therapy, inclusive education and
gainful employment. As noted by Abundo, Sorongon, and David (2024), these gaps leave
PWAs and their families underserved, unrecognized and vulnerable to long-term social
exclusion due to the financial, emotional and physical burden this leaves.


This bill is anchored in the State’s commitment to building an inclusive, just and
empowered society that upholds the inherent dignity of every person. It is in recognition of
autism, not as a limitation, but as a condition that requires support

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JAIME, SNEDI
Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5] 6

Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi

AN ACT
INSTITUTING A PHILIPPINE NATIONAL AUTISM CARE PLAN FOR THE
SUPPORT OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 hereby declared the policy of the State to protect
and promote the rights of all persons to full, healthy and holistic development. As such, the
State shall promote an environment conducive to the development of persons with autism
(PWAs) to become socially-accepted members of an inclusive society. Towards this end, the
State commits itself to the establishment of institutional and social mechanisms to support
PWAs throughout their lifetime, responsive to their needs, empowering and providing them
quality of life.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined
as follows:

a) Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder refers to a neurological condition
characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, communication,
as well as by unique strengths, as defined in the latest version of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

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Diagnosis refers to necessary assessments, including but not limited to neuro-
psychological evaluations, genetic testing, MRIs, hearing tests and psychometric
tests to diagnose or discount autism or developmental disabilities in individuals.


¢) Intervention refers to interceding action undertaken to help improve the autism
prognosis. Intervention in autism may take the form of medical, pharmacologic,
therapeutic, educational and non-traditional habilitative care.

4) Epidemiology refers to the study and analysis of the distribution and determinants
of health conditions, like autism in defined populations.

Sec. 4, Treatment as Persons with Disability. - All PWAs shall be treated as persons
with disability, as defined under Republic Act No. 7277, as amended. They shall be entitled
to all the rights, privileges and benefits provided for persons with disabilities under existing
laws.

Sec. 5. Continuing Education and Training on Autism for Public Service Providers. —
Alll officers and staff in charge of providing services to the public, including but not limited
to the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of National Defense (DND), Department
of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDSA), National Council on Disability
Affairs (NCDA), Persons with Disabilities A fairs offices (PDAOs) at the Local Government
Units (LGUs), Public Safety Units (military, police, firemen and other first responders), shall
undergo mandatory continuing education to sensitize and empower service providers to
become effective frontliners in the delivery of services to PWAs and their families.

Sec. 6. Epidemiological Surveillance Programs. - The DOH, in coordination with
different academic institutions and non-governmental organizations is hereby mandated to
conduct an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of autism in the country
annually to provide data to government agencies and the private sector, to make necessary
services available to PWAs and their families.

Sec. 7. Evidence-based Research. ~ The DOH, the Philippine Council for Health
Research and Development (PCHRD) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) are
mandated, in coordination with local and international educational institutions, to strengthen
its research focus on autism; to invest in clinical and molecular studies and grants to support
the development of best practices in autism intervention in the Philippines.

Sec. 8. Early Detection and Intervention of Autism. — The DOH, in coordination with
the DepEd, is hereby mandated to establish a program for early screening and detection of
autism, to provide the appropriate services to children and toddlers with developmental delays
associated with autism and to ensure the central PWD registry is updated accordingly.

Sec. 9. Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage. — All persons with autism shall be covered by
the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation

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(PHIC). Funds necessary to ensure the enrollment of PWAs, who are currently covered under
any existing category, shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PHIC,
earmarked from the proceeds of sin tax collections, as provided for in Republic Act No.
10351. It shall likewise include the cost of early screening and detection programs, as one of
the available benefits of its members.

Sec. 10. Protection Against Discrimination in Schools, Colleges, Universities and
Training Institutions. - The DepEd, CHED and TESDA shall formulate or update policies
and protocols to ensure that all educational institutions shall be inclusive to learners with
autism, in matters including, but not limited to, acceptance to academic ot training programs,
instructional supports and behavior management.

Sec. 11. Provision for Equal Opportunities for Employment. ~ The DOLE and the Civil
Service Commission (CSC) shall formulate policies and programs to ensure that adult PWAs
are provided equal opportunities for gainful employment in the private and public sector.

Sec. 12. Protection against Discrimination in Insurance Coverage. - The Department
of Finance (DOF) shall formulate or update policies and protocols to ensure that all insurance
providers shall provide PWAS access to life insurance instruments and shall include allied
medical procedures (like occupational and speech therapies) in health insurance benefits of
policy holders.

Sec. 13. Protection in cases of Disasters and Emergencies. - The DILG and the DND
shall formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure the military, public safety
professional, LGUs and first responders shall provide the necessary life-saving support to
PWAs with behavioral and communication challenges.

Sec, 14. Access to Transportation. - The DOTr shall formulate the necessary policies
and protocols to ensure PWAs with behavioral and communication challenges and their
families are given reasonable accommodation in accessing all forms of transportation by
service providers over land, sea and air.

Sec. 15. Reasonable Accommodation in cases of Legal Action. - The DOI shall
formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure criminal justice agencies and
professionals shall provide the necessary accommodations and protections to PWAs in
behavioral and communication challenges, who may be accused of, victims of, or witnesses
to crimes.

See. 16. The Philippine Council for Mental Health. - The Philippine Council for Mental
Health (PCMH), a multi-sector body established by the Mental Health Act to provide for a
coherent, rational and unified response to mental health in the country, shall spearhead and
coordinate the government actions to address the needs of Filipinos with autism and their
families.


Sec. 17. The National Autism Care Plan. — The PCMH, in coordination with other
government agencies and stakeholders, shall develop, regularly update and monitor the
implementation of the National Autism Care Plan (NACP), a holistic medium-term plan to
respond to the needs of PWAs and their families, such as but not limited to financial assistance,
therapy, medications and equipment, for the guidance of the stakeholders in the public and
private sectors. The PCMH shall likewise coordinate the development and implementation of
necessary policies and programs to operationalize the NACP and to ensure the needs of PWAs
are served.

Sec. 18. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the DOH.

Sec. 19. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
effect.

Sec. 20. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

Sec. 21. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,