Ei “er iN

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In many countries all over the world, there is a growing recognition of autism as a healthcare
crisis and a national concern. In the United States, for instance, where one out of 59
children are born with autism, President Donald Trump has recently signed a bill that
allocates $1.8 billion in funding to help Americans in the autism spectrum. The Autism
Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act provides
funding for autism programs and research in the U.S. and includes care for the aging
members of the society and expands government programs to include older people with
autism who were or are often misdiagnosed, under diagnosed, and overlooked. In other parts,
of the globe, the autism community also receives huge support.

Sadly, in the Philippines, notwithstanding the State policy to protect and promote the rights
of all persons to full, healthy and holistic development, thousands of families struggle every
day with autism with very little or no support from our government. Medical experts in the
field of autism have declared that given the proper guidance, attention, education, and
training, persons with autism (PWAs) can be useful citizens in society. Unfortunately,
people lack understanding as to how PWAs can actually live independent and productive
lives. As a result, the development of PWAS is stunted and, instead of becoming productive
citizens, they become burdens not only on their families, but also on the whole community.
It is, therefore, urgent to address the concems of the autism community by adopting and
implementing programs to help society accept and understand PWAs.

Specifically, the State should immediately create an environment conducive to the
development of PWAs so they reach their full potential and become independent, self-
reliant, productive, and socially-accepted members of society. Toward that end, institutional
and social mechanisms to support PWAs and empower them must be established. We need
to have long-term measures to develop autism screening, early diagnosis, and intervention
programs for children. Experts should be able to transfer knowledge to the community
especially to parents of PWAs to enable them to create a home program for their children so
they need not rely solely on therapists. We have to devise and fund a strategic plan for

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autism research. We need to explore and adopt strategies to address the needs of PWAs and
improve the quality of life of PWAs, i.e., improve their access to education, intervention and
therapy, employment, and care. In sum, just as other countries have recognized autism as a
healthcare crisis, so must the Philippines.

In light of the foregoing, to promote a healthy and productive environment in the Philippines
and protect the rights of PWAs to full, healthy and holistic development, the speedy
approval of this Bill is earnestly recommended.

Wane aoe 7 aa
4 GERALDI B. ROMAN



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 229

Introduced by Representative GERALDINE B. ROMAN

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".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and
promote the rights of all persons to full, healthy and holistic development. As such, the
State shall promote an environment conducive to the development of persons with autism
(PWAs) to become the best of their potentials - independent, self-reliant, productive and
socially-accepted members of an inclusive society. Towards this end, the State commits
itself to the establishment of institutional and social mechanisms to support PWAs
throughout their lifetime, responsive to their needs, empowering and providing them quality
of life.

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 in individuals.

(©) "Intervention" 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.



(@ "Epidemiology" 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 National Defense
(DND), 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 sensitize and empower service providers to become effective front
liners in the delivery of services to PWAs and their families.

Sec. 6. Epidemiological Surveillance Programs. — 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
DepEzd, 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 PWASs 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 the 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, long-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 technologre,

(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;

(a) 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;

(6) developing capacity-building programs, incentives and awards, for PWAs in
leadership, science, culture, arts and sports;

(h) networking with other organizations, institutions and professionals working for the
promotion of legislation and public programs for PWAs; and

(h) receiving donations and grants from international donor institutions, foundations, and
multilateral and bilateral foreign donor agencies, involved in the transfer of knowledge
or direct services for PWAs;

(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;

() 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
Developmental Pediatrics; the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists and the
Philippine Association of Occupational Therapists, as Members,

(i) 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; provided: the person appointed shall be of
good moral character, of unquestionable integrity; with expertise and experience of a 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 Services 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 abovementioned 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. 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. 21. 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. 22. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, presidential
proclamations, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

Sec. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,