Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. $86

Introduced by Representative FERDINAND L. HERNANDEZ

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Autism, also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a
neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates and interacts with
others, and experiences the world and environment. It is called a “spectrum” because it
includes a wide range of characteristics, abilities, and challenges that vary from one person to
another. The diagnosis of Autism is based on the history and observation of the individual's
behavior and not on a single medical procedure or test.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO). the incidence of autism
spectrum disorder is estimated to occur in one (1) out of one hundred (100) children. Actual
rates vary by country due to differences in diagnostic practices, awareness and access to
medical or social services and cultural factors. Autism rates have been increasing steadily
over the past few decades as a result of better awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and
improved screening and reporting.

Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder or PWAs are assessed based on their
communication level, social interaction, sensory profile, cognitive functioning, adaptive
functioning and co-occurring conditions which include ADHD, anxiety and epilepsy.

This bill thus seeks to institutionalize a national autism care plan by promoting an
environment conducive to the development of persons with autism (PWAs) to become the
best of their potential — independent, self-reliant, productive, and socially-accepted members
of an inclusive society. This can be achieved by providing them access to education,
healthcare, employment, and guarantee of their civil rights.

Presently, there is no cure for Autism, but with early and specialized support of PWAS,
desired outcomes of behavior and skills have significantly improved

Thus, passage of this measure is earnestly being sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 886

Introduced by Represent:

D L. HERNANDEZ

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 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 the best of their potentials — independent, self-reliant, productive and
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 mean:

(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.

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

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

(d) “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. ~
All 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),
Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of National Defense (DND),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Persons with
Disabilities Affairs 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 front
liners in the delivery of services to PWAs and their families.

SEC. 6. Epidemiological Surveillance Programs. ~ The National Institute of Health
(NIH) is hereby mandated to conduct a bi-annual epidemiological survey to determine the
prevalence of autism in the country, for the purpose of providing data to government agencies
and the private sector, to make necessary services available to PWAs and their families.

SEC. 7. Evidence-based Research. ~ The NIH is further mandated, in coordination
with the DOH and local and international educational institutions, to strengthen its research
focus on autism; to invest in clinical and molecular studies and grants, for the purpose of
supporting development of best practices in autism intervention in the Philippines.

SEC. 8. Early Detection and Intervention of Autism. ~ The DOH, in coordination with
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 are 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
(PHIC), Funds necessary to ensure the enrollment of all PWAs, who are not 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.

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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, 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 or training programs,
instructional supports, and behavior management.

SEC. 11. Protection against Discrimination in Insurance Coverage. ~ The Department
of Finance 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. 12. 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, local government units, and first responders shall provide the necessary
life-saving support to PWAs with behavioral and communication challenges.

SEC. 13. 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. 14. Reasonable Accommodation in cases of Legal Action.- The DOJ shall
formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure criminal justice agencies and
professionals shall provide the necessary accommodations and protections to PWAs with
behavioral and communication challenges, who may be accused of, victims of or witnesses to
crimes.

SEC. 15. The Autism Council of the Philippines. - There is hereby created the Autism
Council of the Philippines (Council), under the Department of Health (DOH), which shall
serve as an inter-agency and multi-sectoral mechanism to develop and implement a
sustainable, long-term Philippine National Autism Plan.

The Council shall be responsible for:

(a) Developing and updating the Philippine National Autism Plan — a holistic
roadmap in addressing the needs of Filipinos with autism and their families for the
guidance of stakeholders in the private and public sectors; calibrated to meet
changing needs of society and developments in technology.

(b) Designing campaigns that promote awareness of autism, and acceptance,
accommodation and appreciation of PWAs;

(c) Undertaking research and/collaborating with private and public entities on
research activities regarding autism in the Philippines;

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(d) Improving capabilities of government to provide nationally-available services that
diagnoses, early intervention, education, training, employment, livelihood;

(e) Assisting the private and public sector in the design and delivery of appropriate
programs for PWAs and their families;

(£) Developing capacity-building programs, incentives and awards, for PWAs in
leadership, science, culture, arts and sports;

(g) Networking with other organizations, institutions and professionals working for
the promotion of legislation and public programs for PWAs and

(h) Receiving donations and grants from international donor institutions, foundations,
and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies, involved in the transfer of
knowledge or direct services for PWAs”

(i) Provide grants to duly accredited non-government organization involved in
providing direct services to PWAs’

SEC. 16. Composition of the Autism Council of the Philippines. ~The Council shall be
composed of the following:

(a) The DOH Secretary as Chairperson;

(b) The DSWD Secretary as Vice-Chairperson;

(c). The DepEd Secretary as Member,

(d) The DILG Secretary as Member;

(e) The DOLE Secretary as Member;

(f) The NCDA Executive Director as Member;

(g) The NIH Head as Member;

(h) The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Head as Member,

(i) Three (3) representatives from the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists
and the Philippine Association of Occupational Therapists, as Members;

(i) Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society Philippines, as Members; and

(k) One (1) individual with autism, as Member.

The members of the Council from the government agencies and institutions may designate
their permanent representatives who shall have a rank not lower than an assistant secretary as
their official representative in the meetings of the Council

The six (6) appointive members of the Council shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines, from a list of fice (5) nominees from each sector, who shall serve for a term of
three (3) years, and renewable for another term; provided: the person appointed shall be of
good moral character, of unquestionable integrity, with expertise and experience of at least
‘six (6) years in the field of autism, service delivery and other related fields; and that in the
event of a vacancy, the successor appointed to fill the same shall serve only the unexpired
portion of the term of the member he/she succeeds to.

The Council shall have a Secretariat which will coordinate the functions and organize the
services as may be required by the Council in the exercise of its functions. It shall be headed
by an Executive Director to be appointed by the Council.

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All members of the Council shall receive emoluments as may be determined by the Council,
in accordance with existing budget and accounting rules and regulations.

SEC. 17. Programs and Services of the Autism Council of the Philippines. ~ The
Council shall design, implement and deliver programs and services, relevant to children and
adults with autism and their families, under the following areas

(a) Information campaigns;

(b) Research;

(c) Assessment, diagnosis and intervention;
(4) Education, sports and arts;

(e) PWA and family support;

(£) Employment and livelihood;

(g) Residential and hospice care.

SEC. 18. Meetings. ~ The Council shall meet at least once a month upon a three-day
notice signed by the Chairperson, or as often as necessary upon the written request signed by
two-thirds (2/3) of its members. The presence of a majority of the members of the Council
shall constitute a quorum in order for it to conduct its business

SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from the date
of effectivity of this act, the Council shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules and
regulations to ensure that above-mentioned government agencies can develop and implement
necessary policies and protocols for service delivery to PWAs and their families.

The Council shall ensure the timely publication and dissemination of information of
‘these guidelines and regulations in order to ensure that the various stakeholders in the welfare
of PWAs are adequately informed.

SEC. 20. Appropriation. ~ 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. 21. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the
Philippines

Approved,

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