RECEIVED
pare: 30 JUN 2018
TE: /0> UW
BY:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES}
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session REGISTRATION UNIT

House Bill No. 630

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANE’

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Autism is a developmental disorder (ASD) with a range of difficulties in social,
emotional and communication skills, which occurs in all racial, ethnic and socio-
economic groups."

In 2014, a news article” reported that the number of people with ASD in the
Philippines and other countries worldwide has almost doubled in the past six years
and the number is still rising. Further, Erlinda Borromeo, Autism Speaks Foundation
President, said that one in sixty-eight (68) children worldwide have autism

In the Philippines, estimated cases of autism rose from five hundred thousand
(500,000) in 2008 to one million (1,000,000) people at present and the number could
be much higher since there are still a lot of areas in the country that were not
surveyed. Health experts have attributed this increase to poor detection methods,
genetics and environmental factors.

Much has been discovered about the causes, diagnosis and management of ASD
Despite the discoveries, there still exist the common societal problem further causing
suffering to people with autism such as lack of social support, meaningful
relationships, future employment opportunities or self-determination

Despite the rise of parent organizations, national and non-profit organizations
dedicated to the well-being of persons with ASD and the destigmatization of ASD,
persons with ASD, their family and friends continue to feel social stigma in situations
where their loved one’s autistic behavior is perceived negatively by others. These
social stigmas seem to suggest that people with ASD no longer have a bright and
fruitful future ahead of them. It is high time that these social stigmas be discarded.

* Myers SM, Johnson CP (2007). "Management of children with autism spectrum
disorders". Pediatrics 120 (5): 1162-82.

2 Mayen Jaymalin, Number of people with autism rising, The Philippine Star, 10
April 2014.

HOUSEOF REPRESENTATIVES

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE


Numerous medical and psychological studies found that with intensive and sustained
special education programs and behavior therapy early in life, people with ASD can
acquire self-care, social, and job skills, improved functioning and decreased symptoms
of severity and maladaptive behaviors

Sustainable development of people with ASD can only be attained if their needs are
met. Although private groups and some sector of the government have already made
significant actions in adhering to stipulations of the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Magna Carta of Persons with Disability (RA
9442), there still lacks specialized and specified strides towards addressing the needs
of the specialized group of people with ASD. It is important to develop a personal,
specialized and specified support network for people with ASD and their families.

Based on the foregoing, a Philippine Center for Autism must be created to address the
four (4) major areas of concern, namely: research policy, planning and program
development, medical management including allied professionals; diagnostics, and
family and community support. By creating a Philippine Autism Center, the needs of
people with ASD will be addressed and their development will be supported so that
the social stigma against them is debunked, thereby transforming them as productive
members of the community resulting in a bright and fruitful future ahead for them.

In consideration of all the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly
sought

SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.
epresentative
Third District, Province of Masbate


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

46
House Bill No. 630

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE, M.D.

AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE CENTER FOR AUTISM
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Philippine Center for Autism Act of
2016"

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to secure the well-being of the
people by providing them with specialized health service. Also, itis the policy of the state to
advance and protect the citizens’ right to health. This includes the rights of persons with
autism to full, healthy and holistic development. Therefore, the State shall promote an
environment conducive to the development of autistic persons to become, to the best of their
potentials, independent, self-reliant and productive members of society

SEC. 3 Definition of Terms.

A. For purposes of this Act, except as otherwise expressly indicated herein, the term
autism shall be understood to mean a state of mental health that severely hinders the
way information is gathered and processed by the brain thereby causing problems in
communication, learning, and social behavior.

b. Indigent shall refer to a person with ASD 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.

SEC. 4 Creation of the Philippine Center for Autism.

There is hereby created a trust, for the benefit primarily of the Filipino people, under the
name and style of Philippine Center for Autism.

‘The Philippine Center for Autism shall be administered by a Board of Trustees, composed of
seven (7) members, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines. Specifically, the
Board shall be composed of the following

a. One (1) representative from the Department of Health, who shall sit as Chairperson;


b. One (1) representative from the Department of Education who shall sit as the Vice~
Chairperson;

C. One (1) representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as
Member;

d, Two (2) representatives from the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled
Persons as Members;

€. Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as Members;

‘Two (2) representatives from the Parents of Children and Adults jvith Autism as

Members.

‘The six appointive members of the Board of Trustees shall serve without compensation for a
period of four (4) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified

‘Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by appointment by the President of the Philippines,
and the appointee shall serve for the unexpired term.

Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum transact business and
any decision of such four members on any matter duly presented to the Board of Trustees
shall constitute a valid and binding act of the Philippine Center for Autism.

SEC. 5. Objectives of the Philippine Center for Autism. The Philippine Center for Autism
shall endeavor to fulfill the following objectives:

a lo promote public awareness, education, and information on issues concerning autism;

b. to establish sustainable networks of support groups for families of autistic children
and adults;

© to provide referral services to patients with autism and identify the appropriate
educational and medical expertise and facilities suited to the needs of the autistic
person,

d. to combat the spectrum of disorders related to autism through screening, education,
early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services.

fe. to undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research activities
regarding autism in the Philippines;

£ {0 coordinate with schools in formulating individualized programs for autistic school
children and young students;

{to receive donations and grants from international donor institutions, foundations, and
multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in the prevention, cure and
rehabilitation of persons with autism;

h. to promote the advocacy against bias and stereo-typing against autistics thereby
eliminating discrimination and/or misconceptions of the notion of being autistic with
the end in view of opening the doors of productive economic opportunities to autistic
persons;

i. to provide the avenue for exchange of information, exchange programs and sharing of
best practices on issues relating to the early detection, prevention, cure, treatment, and
rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with autism;

j. to network with other organizations, institutions and professionals working for the
promotion of legislation and public programs for the persons diagnosed with autism;
and

k. {to assist in the creation of appropriate programs for individuals diagnosed with
autism


SEC. 6. Functions of the Philippine Center for Autism. The Philippine Center for Autism
shall have the following functions:

Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master plan;

Create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinic;

Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults

Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic,

Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, medical;

Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral

Increase public awareness and concem on autism by spearheading advocacy
programs

menoge

®

SEC. 7. Creation of Departments in the Philippine Center for Autism. For the orderly and
efficient execution of plans and programs, the Philippine Center for Autism shall establish the
following departments:

Department for research policy, planning and program development
Department for medical management

Department for diagnostics.

Department for family and community support

pose

SEC. 8. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall
be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the Department of
Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National
Institute of Health (NIH), and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC)

SEC. 9. Auditing. The Philippine Center for Autism shall be under the audit jurisdiction of
the Commission on Audit.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within six (6) months from the date of
effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DWSD, NIH, and PIA, shall
promulgate necessary implementing rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this
Act.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordin|

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions of this Act
which are not affected hereby shall continue to be in full force and effect

Approved,