Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HouseBi||No.8977
Introduced by Representative Marjorie Ann ``Maan" A. Teodoro
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to institute a Philippine National Autism Care Plan to support and
empower Persons with Autism (PWAs) nationwide through equal protection as Persons with
Disabilities (PWDs) stated under Republic Act No. 7277, epidemiological survey as part of our
data gathering to ensure equal access to the rights and benefits expressed herein, scientific
research,   early   detection,   mandatory   PhilHealth   Coverage,    and   protection   against
discrimination.
According to the National Nutrition Council of the Department of Health, Autism is
defined as ``a wide range of illnesses that are all characterized by difficulty with social skills,
repetitive behaviors, speech, and non-verbal communication. Autism, or Autistic Spectrum
Disorder,  is  a  neurological  condition  that  affects  how  people  perceive  and  relate  to  one
another, which can cause problems with social interaction and communication."
Autism  may  be  detected  during  early  childhood  through  proper  diagnosis  by
competent medical professionals, however, there are cases wherein diagnosis happens much
later.  While  some  people  with  autism  are  capable  of  functioning  independently  and
conforming to the standards, some require care, support, and attention.
The Autism Society of the Philippines shared that approximately 1.2 million Filipinos
are on the autism spectrum. In 2022, the World Population Review stated that there is an
increase in the number of Filipinos who are on the spectrum estimating at the rate of 81.80/o
per 10,000 filipinos or 1 in 122 filipinos. Therefore, given this statistics, there is a definite and
immediate need cf policies to empower and support PWAs in the country.
We have to acknowledge that inspite of their medical condition, they are not different
from us.  They  can be beneficial  to  the  economic  growth  of our  country  if given  enough
courtesy. In many cases, they are even brighter than any of us for the way their brains are
developed by exhibiting extraordinary talents.
One of the most known Filipino artists with autism is an award-wirming artist, Victor
Francesco ``Vico" Chain, whose artworks were recognized and even awarded over the years


in  as  early  as  2014.  In  2014,  his  artwork  aozo7i  Fz.sfo  won  first place  in  the  Autism  Trust
Foundation in Dubai; In 2016, he was awarded the Honorary Awardee For Visual Arts in the
Autistic Network of Community Achievers in Vancouver,  Canada; In 2017, one of the six
H¢7zdp¢z.7ifz.77g A7'£z.sf o7? Pz.7tj/¢ was one of his and was featured at the Fashion for Hope in New
York  City,  New  York;  In  2019,  he  was  awarded  the  Gawad  Rizal  award  in  the  Lyceum
Philippines for his visual arts and even won 3rd place in the Paralym Art World Cup, an annual
art world for people with disabilities, for his art called ``Kadal Tahaw" in Tokyo, Japan, and
in 2022, his sketches in a shoebox were featured in the NFT collection, a digital art collector.
Vico is just one of the talented Filipinos living with autism who is a proof of how far
they can go in life. Thus, through this bill, PWAs will be guaranteed equal protection and
support within our society.
In view of thereof, approval of this bill is hereby sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
+   HouseBi||No.  8977
Introduced by Representative Marjorie Ann ``Maan" A. Teodoro
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 of
2023"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health consciousness among th.em. The State also mandates the
adoption of an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development.
As such, the State recognizes the capabilities of Persons with Autism (PWAs) in contributing
to  the  development  of  their  community  and  our  society  through  their  share  of  talent,
knowledge, interests, and more. Towards this end, the State shall give high priority to the
active  participation  of  every  citizen  towards  their personal  and holistic  growth  aimed  at
reaching their greatest potential geared towards an inclusive society.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act:
(a) At/£z.s7", 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) Dz.¢g#osi.s refers to necessary assessments, including but not limited to neuro-psychological
evaluations, genetic testing, MRls, hearing tests, psychometric tests to diagnose or discount
autism and/or developmental disabilities in individuals;


(c) J7tferue7tfz.o7t 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) £pz.czemz.oJogy 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 Interior
and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Nationa Defense (DND), Commission on
Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
National  Council  on Disability  Affairs  (NCDA),  Persons  with Disabilities  Affairs  Officers
(PDAOs) at the Local Government Units (LGUs), Public Safety Units (military, police, firemen,
and other firstg 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 Program.  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 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. 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.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 and TESDA shall formulate or update policies and protocols
to ensure that all educational institutions shall be inclusive to leamers 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
professionals, 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, 1ong-
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/or collaborating with private and public entities on research
activities regarding autism in the Philippines;
d)   Improving capabilities  of government to provide nationally-available  services  that
support PWAs  and their families,  in areas including, but not limited to screening,
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;


f)    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;
h)   Receiving  donations  and  grants  from intemational  donor institutions,  foundations
and  multilateral  and  bilateral  foreign  donor  agencies,  involved  in  the  transfer  of
knowledge or direct services for PWAs; and
i)    Provide   grants   to   duly   accredited   non-government   organizations   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 Society of Behavioral and Development
Pediatrics;  the  Philippine  Association  of  Speech  Pathologists  and  the  Philippine
Association of Occupational Therapists, as Members;
j)    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 representatives 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 five (5) nominees from each sector, who shall serve for a term of
three (3) years, and renewable for another term; P7'ozJt.dcd, That 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.
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 Service 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;
d)   Education, sports, and arts;
e)   PWA and family support;
f)    Employment and livelihood; and
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. Appropriations. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall
be included and incorporated in the annual General Appropriations Act of the DOH.
SEC. 21. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 22. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC. 23. Effectivity. The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the O#.cz.¢J
Gflzeffe or in a newspaper if general circulation.
Approved,