Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

H.B.No._ 5813

S tiney

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES S. LANETE,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

\utism 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

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



loved one’s autistic behavior is perceived negatively by others, These social stigmas
seein (0 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

Nuierous medical and psychological studies found that with intensive and sustained
special education programs and behavior therapy early in life, people with ASD can
acquire seli-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
Aldiough 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
9412), 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
funily 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
tiembers of the community resulting in a bright and fruitful future ahead for them.

1s consideration of all the foregoing, the immediate passage of this Bill is earnestly

hk

SCOTT DAVIES S. LAN
(Representative
Vhird District, Province of Masbate



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

H, B. No. 584 3

. LANETE, M.D,

Introduced by HONORABLE SCOTT DAVIES

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
2015”

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, it is 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,

@. 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

C. 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

>. 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

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

Chairperson;

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

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

©. Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as Members;
Two (2) representatives {rom the Parents of Children and Adults with 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

Objectives of the Philippine Center for Autism, The Philippine Center for Autism shall
endeavor to fulfill the following objectives:

4. to 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 identity 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;

©. to undertake research and/or collaborate with other entities on research activities

ding autism in the Philippines;

to coordinate with schools in formulating individualized programs for autistic school

children and young students,

g. 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;

a



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:

a. Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master plan;

b. Create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinic;

¢ Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults;

d, Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic,

© Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, medical

f Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral,

2. Increase public awareness and concern on autism by. spearheading advocacy

programs

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:

a, Department for research policy, planning and program development
6. Department for medical management

© Department for diagnostics.

Department for family and community support

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. Repeating 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. 12. Separability Clause. - lf 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,