REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3840

House Bill No.

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN IIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Occurring in countries within all socio-economic classes, autism is the fastest growing
developmental disability. Given the growing number of Autism Spectrum Disorder cases in
the country, individuals affected by the said disorder still remain in the marginalized sectors
of the country because of lack of government support. This has prevented their total
rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance.

This bill, thus, seeks to create the Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to
advise and make recommendations to the president, legislature, and government agencies on
matters relating to autism spectrum disorder. Here, the Commission is mandated to develop a
comprehensive nationwide plan for an integrated system of training, treatment, and services
for individuals of all ages with ASD.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is eamestly requested.

MANUE! ‘ABOCHAN IIL
Representativ
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, _ 3840

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. MANUEL DG. CABOCHAN III

AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION ON AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDERS AND THE OFFICE OF AUTISM SERVICES

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 “Philippine Commission
on Autism Spectrum Disorders Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the State to protect
and promote the right to health, physical, moral, and social well-being of the people. Towards
this end, the State shall exert efforts to develop a comprehensive nationwide plan for an
integrated system of training, treatment, and services for individuals of all ages with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

1, Autism Spectrum Disorder - Defined as the standard diagnostic criteria for pervasive
developmental disorder, to include autistic disorder; Asperger's syndrome; pervasive
developmental disorder, not otherwise specified; childhood disintegrative disorder
and Rett's syndrome.

2. Department of Health — Herein, referred to as the Department.

SEC. 4. Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders. - There is hereby
created a "Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders” under the Department of

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Health. It shall advise and make recommendations to the president, legislature, and relevant
government agencies regarding matters concerning all levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder
services including health care, education, and other adult and adolescent services.

The Commission shall meet on at least four (4) occasions annually, including at least
two (2) occasions before the end of December on the first year the Commission is fully

established. It may hold meetings by telephone or video conference.

‘The Department shall provide technical and administrative support as required by the
Commission.

SEC. 5. Composition of Members. - The Commission shall be composed of nineteen
(19) members, consisting of the following:

(1) Four (4) members of the legislature, with two (2) members from the Senate and two
(2) members from the House of Representatives. The Senate President shall appoint
one (1) member from the majority and one (1) member from the minority. Also, the
Speaker of the House shall appoint one (1) member from the majority and one (1)
member from the minority;

(2) The Director of the National Center for Mental Health, or his or her designee;

(3) The Secretary of Health, or his or her designee;

(4) The Secretary of Education, or his or her designee;

(5) The Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, or his or her designee;

(6) The Commissioner of Higher Education, or his or her designee;

(7) An individual employed as a director/principal of special education at a school district
located in the country;


(8) A speech and language pathologist;

(9) A diagnostician;

(10) A mental health provider;

(11) A primary care physician;

(12) Two (2) parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including one (1)
parent of an individual under the age of eighteen and one (1) parent of an individual
over the age of eighteen;

(13) Two (2) individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and

(14) A representative from an independent private provider or non-profit provider or
organization.

The members of the Commission, other than the members from the legislature and ex-
officio members, shall be appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the
Senate. The Chair of the Commission shall be selected by the members of the commission.
Of the members first appointed to the Commission by the president, half shall serve a term of
four years and half shall serve a term of two years, and thereafter, members shall serve a term
of four years. Members shall continue to serve until their successor is duly appointed and
qualified. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment. Members shall serve the commission without compensation but may be
reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses from money appropriated to the
Department of Health.

The members of the commission shall consist of a broad representation of Filipino
citizens, both urban and rural, who are concerned with the health and quality of life for
individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.


SEC. 6. Duties and Responsibilities. - The Commission shall make recommendations
for developing a comprehensive nationwide plan for an integrated system of training,
treatment, and services for individuals of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A year
after the approval of this Act, the commission shall issue preliminary findings and
recommendations to the legislature.

In preparing the national plan, the commission shall specifically perform the following
responsibilities and report on them accordingly:

(1) Study and report on the means for developing a comprehensive, coordinated system
of care delivery across the country to address the increased and increasing presence of
Autism Spectrum Disorder and ensure that resources are created, well-utilized, and
appropriately spread across the country:

(a) Determine the need for the creation of centers for diagnostic excellence in
designated sectors of the country, which could provide clinical services
including assessment, diagnoses, and treatment of patients;

(b) Plan for effectively evaluating regional service areas throughout the
country and their capacity including outlining personnel and skills that
exist within the service area, other capabilities that exist, and resource
needs that may be unmet;

(c) Assess the need for additional behavioral intervention capabilities and as
necessary, the means for expanding those capabilities in a regional service
area; and

(@ Develop recommendations for expanding these services in conjunction
with hospitals after considering the resources that exist in terms of
specialty clinics and hospitals, and hospital inpatient care capabilities;

(2) Conduct an assessment of the need for coordinated, enhanced and targeted special
education capabilities within each region of the country;


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(3) Develop a recommendation for enlisting appropriate universities and colleges to
ensure support and collaboration in developing certification or degree programs for
students specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorder intervention. This may include
degree programs in education, special education, social work, and psychology; and

(4) Other responsibilities may include but not be limited to:

(@) Provide recommendations regarding training programs and the content of
training programs being developed;

(6) Recommend individuals to participate in a committee of major
stakeholders charged with developing screening, diagnostic, assessment,
and treatment standards;

(©) Participate in recommending a panel of qualified professionals and experts
to review existing models of evidence-based educational practices for
adaptation specific to Filipinos;

(@) Examine the barriers to accurate information of the prevalence of
individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the country and
recommend a process for accurate reporting of demographic data;

(©) Explore the need for the creation of interagency councils and evaluation of
current councils to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated system of care for
all individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and

(® Study or explore other developmental delay disorders and genetic
conditions known to be associated with autism, including fragile X
syndrome, Sotos syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis.

SEC. 7. Appropriation. - The amount necessary for the effective implementation of
this Act shall be funded out of the appropriations of the Department of Health, Thereafter,


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such amounts as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Any provision or provisions of this Act that may be
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or
provision hereof as long as such remaining portions can still subsist and be given effect in

their entirety.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and other
issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or

modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the
date of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,