EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 896
*19 
AUG 13 
P I ;07
Introduced by Senator Manuel “Lito” M. LapidRi. t 
^
AN ACT
INSTITUTING A NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ON 
AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism is a state of mental health that severely hinders the way information is 
gathered and processed by the brain, causing problems in communication, learning, 
and social behavior. Onset of the disorder typically occurs during a child’s first three 
years. Autism has been observed in roughly 15 to 20 of every 10,000 births. The 
symptoms of autism generally appear during the first three years of childhood and 
continue throughout life, often taking devastating emotional and financial tolls on the 
family of the autistic child.
There are three (3) distinctive behaviors that characterize autism: difficulties 
in social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication, and 
repetitive behaviors or narrow, obsessive interests. These behaviors can range in 
intensity from mild to disabling. Parents are usually the first to notice symptoms of 
autism in their child because as early as infancy, a baby with autism may be 
unresponsive to people or may focus too intently on one item to the exclusion of 
others for long periods of time.


Current research links autism to both biological and neurological bases. In 
some families there appear to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities 
throughout generations thereby suggesting a genetic basis to the disorder.
Generally, experts estimate that 3 to 6 children out of every 1,000 will have 
autism. In the Philippines, it is estimated that 1 out of every 500 Filipinos are autistic 
or approximately 176,000 Filipinos out of an 88 million total population. For reasons 
that are still unclear, about 20 to 30 percent of children with autism develop 
epilepsy during adulthood. Recent studies further strongly suggest that some people 
have a genetic predisposition to autism. In families with one autistic child, the risk of 
having a second child with the disorder is approximately 5 percent, or one in 20.
Autism is a developmental disability that has yet to be fully known and 
understood in the Philippines. And because of the lack of educational and financial 
support, it is only the upper and middle class families who can afford to send their 
autistic children to special schools. Undeniably, addressing the needs of more than 
176,000 autistic individuals in our country would require a comprehensive legislative 
framework and integrated operational plan for autism. Currently, there is no national 
data tracking system that caters to the state of autism in the country. A registry for 
autism is needed to improve current knowledge and understanding of autism; to 
conduct thorough and complete epidemiologic surveys of the issue; to enable 
analysis of this problem; and to plan for and provide services to children with autism 
as well as to their families.
Furthermore, there is a shortage of trained and highly skilled teachers and 
health providers to handle and cater to the special needs of children and adults with 
autism.
These considerations reflect the urgent need to conduct a comprehensive 
training program for health providers all over the country in order to help these 
persons suffering from the disorder cope with their condition and participate as 
productive members of society.


This proposed measure seeks to increase public awareness about this 
psychological disorder and to provide enhanced government support for autism 
research and treatment.
This bill sketches the roadmap for our government’s program on autism. As 
such, the passage of this significant piece of legislation reflects the commitment of 
the State to support the cause to prevent and address the needs of those members 
of our population suffering from autism. This piece of legislation will recognize the 
daily plight of thousands of families struggling with autism, and once and for all 
recognize autism as a health issue in the country.
The well-being of our children is of paramount importance that is why we 
need to open our eyes to the realities of the problems faced by persons suffering 
from autism.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly s o m jiL ^
q JM NUEL “ LITO” m. lap id
IT 
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 896
Vs ' ;
’19 
A’Jb 13 
P I -.07
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
:
AN ACT
INSTITUTING  A NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ON 
AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f  the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 
17
Section 1. Short Title. —  This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Autism 
Intervention Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. —  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of the people, including the rights of person 
with autism to full, healthy and holistic development. As such, 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.
Towards this end, the State commits itself to the establishment of institutional 
and social mechanisms to support children and adult persons with autism and their 
families.
In this light, the State shall institutionalize a holistic program for persons with 
autism in the country that will be sensitive to their needs for purposes of empowering 
and providing them quality of life.


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
Sec. 3. Definition o f Autism. —  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.
Sec. 4. Epidemiological Surveillance Programs. —The National Institute of 
Health (NIH) is hereby mandated to conduct an annual epidemiological survey to 
determine the extent and total incidence and prevalence of persons with autism in the 
country in order 
for the government to provide the necessary and appropriate 
interventions to address the needs faced by persons with autism.
The NIH is mandated to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) in 
the conduct of epidemiological research on the issues concerning autism. The NIH is 
mandated to strengthen its research focus on autism; to renew its investment into 
basic and clinical research; to expand its research into the link between environmental 
factors and autism; and to continue investigations into causation, diagnosis, early 
detection, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Such factors that will be 
studied shall include, among others, infection and immune function, hormonal and 
reproductive factors, genetic factors, gastro-intestinal factors, and socio-demographic 
factors.
Sec. 5. Prevention o f Conflict o f Interest In the Research Process. —  Within six 
(6) months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH shall issue the necessary 
standards, guidelines, and regulations in order to ensure that there is no conflict of 
interest, whatsoever, between the research agenda of the researchers and the drug 
manufacturers or government agencies promoting the widespread use of a particular 
vaccine or medicine for the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with autism.
The DOH shall ensure the timely publication and dissemination of information 
of these guidelines and regulations in order to ensure that the various health providers 
and stakeholders all over the country are adequately informed.


1 
Sec. 6. Creation o f an Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee. —  There
2 
is hereby established and institutionalized an Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating
3 
Committee (lACC) which shall serve as an inter-agency and multi-sectoral mechanism
4 
tasked to promote the implementation of the National Autism Program of the
5 
government.
6
7 
The objectives of the 
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee shall
8 
endeavor:
9 
a) to promote public awareness, education, and information on issues
10 
concerning autism;
11 
b) to establish sustainable networks of support groups for families of autistic
12 
children and adults;
13 
c) to provide referral services to patients with autism and identify the
14 
appropriate educational and medical expertise and facilities suited to the needs of the
15 
autistic person;
16 
d) to combat the spectrum of disorders related to autism through screening,
17 
education, early intervention, prompt referrals for treatment and services;
18 
e) to undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research
19 
activities regarding autism in the Philippines;
20 
f) to coordinate with schools in formulating individualized programs for autistic
21 
school children and young students;
22 
g) to receive donations and grants from international donor institutions,
23 
foundations, and multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies involved in the
24 
prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons with autism;
25 
h) to promote the advocacy against bias and stereo-typing against autistics
26 
thereby eliminating discrimination and/or misconceptions of the notion of being
27 
autistic with the end in view of opening the doors of productive economic opportunities
28 
to autistic persons;
29 
i) to provide the avenue for exchange of information, exchange programs and
30 
sharing of best practices on issues relating to the early detection, prevention, cure,
31 
treatment, and rehabilitation of persons diagnosed with autism;


1 
j) to network with other organizations, institutions and professionals working
2 
for the promotion of legislation and public programs for the persons diagnosed with
3 
autism; and
4 
k) to assist in the creation of appropriate programs for individuals diagnosed
5 
with autism.
6 
The lACC shall accomplish such objectives and fulfill its mandate towards the
7 
end goal of setting up a nationwide network of centers for autism in key cities and
8 
regional centers in the country.
9
10 
Sec. 7. Composition o f the Inter-Agency Autism 
Coordinating 
Committee
11 
(lACC). —  The Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee shall be headed by the
12 
Secretary of Department of Health (DOH), acting as the Chairperson. The lACC shall
13 
be composed on the following members:
14 
a) The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
15 
(DSWD);
16 
b) The Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd);
17 
c) The Chairperson of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC);
18 
d) The Head of the National Institute of Health (NIH);
19 
e) The Head of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA);
20 
f) One (1) representative from the duly accredited drug and vaccine
21 
manufacturers and distributors;
22 
g) One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of caregivers in
23 
the Philippines;
24 
h) One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of nurses in the
25 
Philippines;
26 
i) One (1) representative from the duly accredited association of medical
27 
doctors in the Philippines; and
28 
j) One (1) representative from the non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
29 
involved in the advocacy for the prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons with
30 
autism.
31 
The five (5) members of the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee
32 
coming from the representatives of the drug and vaccine manufacturers and


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
distributors; caregivers; nurses; medical doctors and non-government organizations 
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, from a list of three (3) nominees 
from each sector, who shall serve for a term of three (3) years, and renewable for 
another term: Provided, That the person appointed shall be of good moral character, 
of unquestionable integrity, and with expertise and experience of a least six (6) years 
in filed of autism, mental health and other related fields: Provided, further. 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 members of the lACC from the government agencies and institutions may 
designate their permanent representatives who shall have a rank not lower than an 
assistant secretary or its equivalent to attend meetings.
All members of the lACC shall receive emoluments as may be determined by 
the Committee, in accordance with existing budget and accounting rules and 
regulations.
Sec. 8. Meetings. —  The lACC shall meet at least once a month upon a three- 
day notice signed by the two (2) Chairpersons or as often as necessary upon the 
written requeGt signed by two-thirds (2/3) of its members.
The presence of a majority of the members of the lACC shall constitute a 
quorum in order for it to conduct its business.
Sec. 9. Programs and Services o f the 
Inter-Agency 
Autism 
Coordinating 
Committee (lACC). —  The programs and services that will be provided by the Inter- 
Agency Autism Coordinating Committee shall include, among others, the following:
a) Orientation and Counseling Services for families of newly diagnosed children 
with autism;
b) Establishment of Family Support Networks and Sibling Program for families 
of autistic persons to seek psycho-social support for the various problems faced by 
families with autistic persons;


1 
c) Establishment of National and Regional Referral Services wherein the lACC
2 
will update a list of professionals and child care institutions concerned with the care
3 
and development of persons with autism;
4 
d) Publication of reading materials, manuals and easily readable instruction
5 
materials for autism early detection, prevention, rehabilitation and care;
6 
e) The conduct of continuing education, information and training programs and
7 
lectures on the proper handling of persons with autism;
8 
f) The establishment of a databank and information and monitoring system
9 
(IMS) on the demographic, socio-economic and incidence and prevalence of persons
10 
with autism in the country;
11 
g) The publication of a newsletter on current developments, resources and
12 
research on autism; and
13 
h) The conduct of continuing education/training of families, teachers, therapists
14 
and caregivers of persons with autism through seminars, conventions and other forms
15 
of tri-media educational tools.
16
17 
Sec. 10. Early Identification and Intervention for children with Autism. — The
18 
Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee (lACC) is hereby mandated to establish
19 
a program for early identification, screening, and detection of autism, and to provide
20 
the appropriate services to children and toddlers with developmental delays associated
21 
with autism.
22 
The lACC is tasked to monitor and update the list of children diagnosed with
23 
autism in the country in its central registry so that such persons may be referred to
24 
programs of the government, should the same become available.
25
26 
Sec. 11. Autism Early Detection and Screening Fees. —  The Philippine Health
27 
Insurance Corporation (PHIC) shall include the cost of early detection and screening
28 
programs as one of the available benefits of its members.
29 
The early detection and screening test fees shall be applied to, among others,
30 
testing costs, education, follow-up, and readable overhead expenses. These early
31 
detection and screening tests are designed to identify children who should receive


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
more intensive diagnosis or assessment in order to improve child health and well­
being, especially for children suspected as suffering from autism.
Sec. 12. Creation o f a National Website for Persons with Autism. — The lACC 
is hereby mandated to establish a national website on the National Program for Autism 
in the Philippines. The website shall highlight the various programs, interventions, 
services and advocacy channels being provided by the government on the issue 
concerning autism so that parents and relatives of persons with autism can avail of 
the information and services being provided by the State.
This website shall contain all the information on the variety of medical, 
psychological, psycho-social and research interventions available in the Philippines on 
the issues concerning autism.
The website shall also include information on the various DOH accredited health 
service providers who can provide therapy and treatment to persons with autism in 
the country.
The website is envisioned to be an avenue where people can express their 
views regarding autism and network in order to address the various needs and 
concerns of autistic persons for the benefit of all the parents and relatives of persons 
with autism in the country.
It will also be an avenue to clear misconceptions and incorrect information on 
the mental state of being of autistic persons.
Sec. 13. Continuing Education and Training o f Health Personnel and Service 
Providers on Autism. — All DOH, DSWD, CWC officers and their staff in charge with 
providing various developmental and welfare services to persons with autism are 
mandated to undergo a mandatory continuing education and training program to 
sensitize and empower service providers to become effective frontliners in the delivery 
of health service delivery to the persons with autism, who are the beneficiaries of this 
Act.
Sec. 14. Protection against Forcible Use o f Cures and Vaccines. — The DOH 
shall formulate the necessary guidelines, standards and procedures against the


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
forcible use of cures, vaccines, and therapies to persons diagnosed with autism in 
order to uphold the right of every individual to give informed consent to medical 
treatment administered to them as well as to protect their right to determine for 
themselves the medical treatment to which they shall be subjected.
The DOH shall promulgate guidelines and standards to ensure that the 
interventions and programs being provided by the government for persons diagnosed 
with autism do not violate their basic human rights, particularly as regards their right 
to determine their own decisions.
Sec. 15. Protection against Discrimination in Schools. — The Department of 
Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Council for the Welfare of Children 
(CWC) and the National Institute for Health (NIH), shall formulate the necessary 
implementing rules and regulations to ensure that all educational institutions shall be 
free from policies and regulations discriminatory to school children and young students 
suffering from autism.
Towards this end, the DepEd shall conduct an annual education, information, 
and training program for school administrators, faculty, and staff to empower them to 
effectively handle school children and young students suffering from autism.
SEC. 16. Non-Discrimination ofAduits Suffering from Autism. — Within six (6) 
months from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating 
Committee (lACC) shall formulate the necessary guidelines, standards, and 
regulations in order to ensure that adults with autism are not discriminated against 
due to their condition.
The lACC shall ensure the timely publication and dissemination of information 
of these guidelines and regulations in order to ensure that the various stakeholders 
all over the country in the early detection, prevention, rehabilitation, and care of 
persons with autism are adequately informed.
Sec. 17. Confidentiality o f Medical Information for Persons with Autism. — To 
ensure that the early detection, screening tests, vaccination, medical treatment, and


2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
rehabilitation of persons suffering from autism are implemented, the Department of 
Health (DOH), in consultation with the Department of Justice (DOJ), shall formulate 
the pertinent implementing rules and regulations to ensure the confidentiality of the 
medical records of persons suffering from autism in order to protect the unwarranted 
intrusion into the privacy of the person, particularly in relation to the medical condition 
of the patient.
Sec. 18. Appropriation. — 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. 19. Impiementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within six (6) months 
from the date of effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the DWSD, CWC, 
NIH, and PIA, shall promulgate necessary implementing rules and regulations to 
implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 20. 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 accordingly.
Sec. 21. 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.
Sec. 22. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,