NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B.No. 752
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*22 JUL18 P6:21
RlfCEiVEO Bi.
Introduced by SENATOR RAFFYT. TULFO
AN ACT INSTITUTING A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL CARE PLAN TO 
ENCOURAGE COOPERATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESEARCH FOR THE 
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by 
differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a 
genetic condition while other causes are not yet known. People with ASD may behave, 
communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. 
There is often nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other 
people. Autism is viewed as a spectrum or a continuum of disorders, with varying 
degrees of severity and levels of functioning. The abilities of people with ASD can vary 
significantly- some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas 
others may be nonverbal. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in freir daily lives 
while others can work and live independently with little to no support. Republic Act


7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons has provided for the blueprint for the 
government's mandate to recognize and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, 
including persons with autism. In addition, persons with disability have enjoyed certain 
benefits under Republic Act 10754 C'An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of 
Persons with Disability (PWD) in recent years.
Nonetheless, these initiatives are not sufficient, especially in addressing the needs of 
Filipinos diagnosed with autism.
It is imperative to cater to their profound and peculiar needs due to the breadth 
of the spectrum. Government still lacks adequate policies and programs to increase 
awareness and proper understanding of autism, to develop a clear and consistent 
pathway to diagnosis, provide access to education, employment, services and support 
to iive independently within the community, minimize or completely eradicate 
discrimination and to enable the private sector to extend relevant services.
It is high time that the government adopts a comprehensive and Integrated 
plan for autism. One that will enable and equip parents, teachers, medical 
professionals, volunteers, and the Filipino community as a whole, with sufficient 
training and knowledge to address the needs of persons with autism and ultimately 
develop responsiveness and compassion towards them.
In view of the above-mentioned considerations, the immediate passage of this 
proposed measure is earnestly sought.
ulfo


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
o( il)c vd.'irj)
■22 JUL 18 P6 21
RLCEiVi.D BY.
SENATE
S.B.No. 752
Introduced by SENATOR RAFFYT. TULFO
AN ACT INSTITUTING A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL CARE PLAN TO 
ENCOURAGE COOPERATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESEARCH FOR THE 
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be ft 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 "Autism 
Cooperation, Accountability, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act 
of 2022".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. —The State hereby affirms its role in 
protecting and upholding the rights of all disabled persons, by giving full 
support to the improvement of their well-being and their integration into 
mainstream society. To this end, the State recognizes the need to legislate


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for the distinctive needs of persons with autism (PWAs) and commits itself 
to Institutionalizing adequate policies and programs that shall increase awareness 
and proper understanding of autism, to develop a clear and consistent pathway to 
early detection and diagnosis, provide access to quality education and employment 
opportunities such that PWAs may live independently within the community, to 
minimize or completely eradicate discrimination and to enable the private sector to 
extend relevant services that will complement the government's programs.
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 individuals.
c) "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.
d) "Epidemiology" refers to the study and analysis of the distribution and 
determinants of health conditions, like autism In define populations.
Sec. 4. Treatment as Persons with Disability- In accordance with Republic Act 
No. 7277, as amended, ail PWAs shall be treated as Persons with Disability. They shall 
likewise be entitled to all the rights, privileges, and benefits provided for persons with 
disabilities under Republic Act 10754 and other related laws.
Sec. 5. Inter-Agency Cooperation, Accountability and Research - The 
Department of Health (DOH), In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Council


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for Mental Health (PCMH), other academic institutions and non-governmental 
organizations. Is hereby mandated to establish and evaluate activities to:
Inform and educate on such disabilities to increase awareness relating to causes, early 
detection, management, treatment as well as developmental milestones; Promote 
research Into the development and validation of reliable screening tools for such 
disabilities; Develop a curriculum for continuing education to assist individuals in 
recognizing the need for, and using, valid and reliable screening tools; Promote early 
screening of children and individuals at higher risk for such disabilities; Promote 
research to determine evidence-based practices for Interventions, develop guidelines 
for those interventions and disseminate information related to such research and 
guidelines; Encourage public participation in decisions relating to such disabilities.
Sec. 6. Continuing Education and Training on Autism for Pubiic 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 (DSVVD), 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), the Department of 
National Defense (DND), Department of Science and Technology (DOS T), 
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 empower service providers to become more 
responsive, sensitive, and compassionate in the delivery of services to PWAs and their 
families.
Sec. 7. Epidemioiogical Surveiiiance Programs. - The Department of Health, in 
coordination with different academic institutions and non-governmental organizations 
is hereby mandated to conduct an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence


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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. 8. 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 mental health institutions, to 
promote, create, develop, and adopt research and strategic plans that will continue to 
determine and establish evidence-based practices for interventions in the treatment, 
care and Integration into society of PWAs.
Sec. 9. Eady 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 
are updated accordingly.
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 or 
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 
PWAs are provided ecjual opportunities for gainful employment and apprenticeship 
opportunities in the private and public sector.
Sec. 12. Mandatory Insurance Coverage and Prohibition Against Discrimination 
thereof. - 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 enrolment of PWAs, who are currently covered under any existing category, 
shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PHIC, earmarked from


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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. The Department of Finance (DOH) shall likewise 
issue guidelines 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 Disaster and Emergendes. - The DILG, DSWD 
and the DND shall formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure that the 
military, public safety professionals, local government units, and first responders shall 
provide the necessary life-saving support to PWAs with behavioral and communication 
challenges, in times of disasters, calamities and other emergencies.
Sec. 14. Access to Transportation. - The DOTr shall formulate the necessary 
policies and protocols to ensure PWAs with behavioral and communication challenges 
and tfieir families are given reasonaole accommodation in accessing all forms of 
transportation by service provides over land, sea and air.
Sec. 15. Reasonable Accommodation in Legal Proceedings. - 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 in 
behavioral and communication challenges, who may be the accused of victims of or 
witnesses to crimes.
Sec. 16. The Autism CARES Plan - The Philippine Council for Mental Health 
(PCMH), a multi-sector body established by the Mental Health Act, in coordination with 
other government agencies and stakeholders, shall develop, regularly update and 
monitor the implementation of the Autism Cares Plan (ACP), a holistic medium-term 
plan that shall embody the provisions of this Act, In order to respond to the needs of 
PWAs and their families for the guidance of the stakeholders In public and private 
sector. The PCMH shall likewise coordinate the development and implementation of


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necessary policies and programs to operationalize the ACP and to ensure the needs of 
PWAs are served.
Sec 17. /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. 18. 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. 19. Repealing Qause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, 
presidential proclamations, letter of instruction, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
Sec. 20. EifectMty. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved.