REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO-

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Occurring in countries within all socio-economic classes, autism is the fastest growing
developmental disability. According to Autism Speaks Foundation, one in 68 children worldwide
has autism. This figure is way above the 0.5 cases in every 1,000 children in the 1980s and one
in 110 in 2008. In the Philippines, autism incidence rose from 500,000 in 2008 to one million in
2014.

Given the growing number of Autism Spectrum Disorder cases in the country, individuals
affected by the said disorder still remain in the marginalized sector 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
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 earnestly requested.
.
“ARY €. ALEJANO

Representative
Magdalo Para sa Pilipino Party-List


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7670

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

House Bill No.

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. - \t 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
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;


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(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
sine

‘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:


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(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;

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

(d) 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;

(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:

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

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

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


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(@) 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, 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
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,