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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
First Regular Session 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
House Bill No. 850
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Introduced by REP. JESUS MANUEL “BONG” C. SUNTAY 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in every 100 children has Autism 
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Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the Philippines, many children also live with other 
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neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, which often go 
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undiagnosed or unsupported. These conditions can severely affect social behavior, 
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communication, learning, and overall well-being. Early identification and specialized 
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education are proven to significantly improve outcomes for these children. 
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Despite this, there remains no law in the Philippines mandating comprehensive early 
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identification, assessment, support, and education of children with ASD or other 
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neurodivergent conditions. Many teachers lack the training, and schools the resources, 
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to provide appropriate educational interventions. This leads to missed opportunities, 
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school dropouts, and social isolation for thousands of Filipino children. 
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This bill seeks to fill that gap by: 
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1. Requiring early identification and assessment of children with ASD and other
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neurodevelopmental conditions.
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2. Expanding coverage to related conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, and
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dyspraxia.
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3. Training teachers nationwide through grants and scholarships.
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4. Providing incentives to schools and LGUs that establish inclusive education
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programs.
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5. Mandating inclusive infrastructure standards.
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6. Promoting public-private partnerships and creating a national data system to
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inform policy.
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Through these interventions, we aim to build a more inclusive educational system where 
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every neurodivergent child can learn, thrive, and reach their full potential. The 
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immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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REP. JESUS MANUEL “BONG” C. SUNTAY 
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July 1, 2025
2:20 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
First Regular Session 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
                    House Bill No. 850 
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Introduced by REP. JESUS MANUEL “BONG” C. SUNTAY 
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AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT, 
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SUPPORT, AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM 
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DISORDER AND OTHER NEURODIVERGENT CONDITIONS, 
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ESTABLISHING INCENTIVES FOR INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS, AND FOR 
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OTHER PURPOSES 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. 
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This Act shall be known as the “Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergent Education Act.” 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. 
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It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the physical, mental, moral, spiritual, 
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intellectual, and social well-being of the youth, recognizing their vital role in nation-
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building. The State shall ensure early identification, assessment, support, and education 
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for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions. 
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It shall promote inclusivity and non-discrimination in the education system. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. 
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For purposes of this Act: 
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a) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) — A complex developmental disability including
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Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS, Rett Syndrome, 
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and Child Disintegrative Disorder as diagnosed by a licensed physician. 
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b) Neurodevelopmental conditions — Conditions affecting brain development and
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function, including but not limited to ASD, ADHD, Specific Learning Disabilities such as 
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dyslexia and dyscalculia, dyspraxia, and similar conditions diagnosed by licensed 
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professionals. 
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c) Differently-abled children — Those under 18 who have not completed high school and
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who, due to mental, physical, emotional, or learning challenges, require special 
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educational services. 
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d) Gifted children — Under 18, exhibiting advanced mental capacity as determined by
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professional evaluation. 
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e) Special education services — Programs to meet the educational needs of differently-
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abled children, including diagnostics, evaluation, counseling, instructional and 
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therapeutic programs, transportation, and supportive services. 
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f) Inclusive education programs — Education settings that provide accommodations, 
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modifications, and services allowing neurodivergent learners to access education 
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alongside neurotypical peers. 
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SEC. 4. Coverage. 
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This Act applies to children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, as 
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defined herein, from early childhood through high school. 
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SEC. 5. Special Needs Identification and Education Program. 
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A Special Needs Identification and Education Program shall be developed, including 
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early screening, diagnosis, and education training for selected public school teachers 
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nationwide. 
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SEC. 6. Autism and Neurodivergent Ombudsman. 
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The Secretary of Education shall appoint an Autism and Neurodivergent Ombudsman 
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who shall: 
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a) Develop best-practice guidelines for educational assessment and interventions for 
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neurodivergent children from three years of age; 
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b) Oversee certification of inclusive education programs; 
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c) Coordinate with DOH and DSWD to ensure comprehensive health, social, and 
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educational services; 
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d) Prepare an annual report on enrollment, retention, and outcomes for neurodivergent 
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students, submitted to Congress. 
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SEC. 7. Regional Support and Early Childhood Centers. 
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Regional professional development centers must have an autism/neurodivergent 
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specialist. Early childhood education centers shall be established, subject to 
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appropriations, prioritizing underserved regions with limited or nonexistent resources. 
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SEC. 8. Review of Special Needs Education Services. 
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The Secretary of Education shall appoint regional and city advisory committees, 
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including parents, professionals, and community representatives, to review special 
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education services and provide advice on problems related to neurodivergent education. 
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SEC. 9. Autism Spectrum and Neurodivergent Research and Report. 
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Within one year of effectivity, DepEd and DOH shall jointly submit to Congress a 10-
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year strategic plan addressing ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, 
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including: 
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a) Determining prevalence among students; 
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b) Evaluating impacts on attendance, development, and learning outcomes; 
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c) Reviewing current national and local programs and their effectiveness. 
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SEC. 10. Neurodivergent Educator Development Grants. 
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DepEd shall establish scholarships and grants for teachers pursuing special or inclusive 
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education certification, covering tuition, materials, and living stipends, with priority to 
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teachers in underserved areas. 
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SEC. 11. Incentives for Inclusive Education Programs. 
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To encourage inclusive programs: 
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a) Private schools establishing certified inclusive programs shall receive tax deductions 
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equivalent to 200% of documented expenses for specialized classrooms, training, or 
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therapy centers; 
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b) Public schools with certified inclusive programs shall receive priority in DepEd 
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modernization grants; 
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c) LGUs achieving and maintaining certified inclusive education programs shall receive 
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performance-based cash incentives from the DepEd. 
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SEC. 12. Inclusive Infrastructure Standards. 
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All new or renovated public schools shall include sensory-friendly classrooms, therapy 
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spaces, accessible restrooms, and quiet areas, in compliance with standards issued by 
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DepEd, DPWH, and NCDA. 
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SEC. 13. Partnership with Private Sector and NGOs. 
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A National Neurodivergent Support Council shall be formed, including DepEd, NGOs, 
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parent organizations, and private stakeholders, to advise on curriculum, teacher 
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training, community programs, and outreach. 
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SEC. 14. Data Collection and National Registry. 
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DepEd, DOH, and PSA shall establish a confidential National Registry of 
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Neurodivergent Learners, aggregating data on prevalence, services received, and 
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educational outcomes. Data shall inform policy while upholding child privacy rights. 
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Annual summary reports shall be submitted to Congress. 
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SEC. 15. Funding. 
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The amount of Two Hundred Million Pesos (₱200,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated 
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annually to implement this Act, indexed to inflation, to cover training, infrastructure, 
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and support services. 
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SEC. 16. Separability Clause. 
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If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining 
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provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. 
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All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, issuances, letters of instruction, 
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administrative orders, rules, regulations, or local ordinances inconsistent with this Act 
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are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 18. Effectivity Clause. 
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This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or 
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in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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