Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN
ACT
INSTITUTING
A
COMPREHENSIVE
NATIONAL
CARE
PLAN
TO
ENCOURAGE COOPERATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESEARCH FOR THE
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Autism, or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a wide range of illnesses that are all
characterized by difficulty with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal
communication. ASD is a neurological condition that affects how people perceive and relate to
one another, which can cause problems with social interaction and communication. 1
According to the Commission on Human Rights, an estimate of around 1.2 million or one in
every 100 Filipinos have autism. 2 The number could be higher, due to current limitations in
detecting autism in the country such as lack of access to autism detection programs.
Persons with autism have the right to the enjoyment of the highest standard of physical and
mental health. However, government support for persons with autism is significantly lacking.
They are still often subject to stigma and discrimination, and lack access to healthcare, education
and employment opportunities.
In addition, healthcare costs for persons with autism are high. As autism-related services are
often not integrated in health care systems, families are burdened with out-of-pocket spending.
Research shows that total costs for initial evaluations alone leading to the confirmation of
the
autism
diagnosis
averaged ₱7,411.80 per child. Total caring costs or follow-up
interventions including therapy, education, medications, and developmental
evaluations
averaged ₱38,868.6. 3 These costs are too much for low-income families, which leads to many
children not being able to access essential autism-related services due to financial constraints.
By employing an inter-agency approach, this legislative measure aims to address the deep gap in
support provided to Filipinos with autism. This bill aims to increase awareness and proper
understanding of autism through research and statistics. This bill also aims to improve access to
healthcare, quality education, employment opportunities and legal aid, among others, for persons
with autism. The passage of this bill is urged as it is high time for the government to increase its
commitment in improving the life of persons with autism.
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato
1 https://www.nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/mindanao/region-ix-zamboanga-peninsula/9648-autism-what-you-need-
to-know
2 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1102257/chr-provide-more-opportunities-for-filipinos-with-autism
3 Quilendrino MIO, Castor MAR, Mendoza NRNP, Vea JR, Castillo-Carandang NT. The Direct Cost of Autism and
its Economic Impact on the Filipino Family. Acta Med Philipp [Internet]. 2022May26 [cited 2023Apr.11];56(9).
Available from: https://actamedicaphilippina.upm.edu.ph/index.php/acta/article/view/5005
May 8, 2023
1:03 pm
7950


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN
ACT
INSTITUTING
A
COMPREHENSIVE
NATIONAL
CARE
PLAN
TO
ENCOURAGE COOPERATION, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESEARCH FOR THE
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT OF PERSONS WITH AUTISM AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Autism Cooperation, Accountability,
Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act of 2023”.
Section 2.
Declaration of Policy. — The State hereby affirms its role in protecting and
upholding the rights of all persons with disability, by giving full support to the improvement of
their well-being and their integration into mainstream society. To this end, the State recognizes
the need to legislate for the distinctive needs of persons with autism (PWAs) and commits itself
to institutionalizing adequate policies and programs that shall increase awareness and proper
understanding of autism, to develop a clear and consistent pathway to early detection and
diagnosis, provide access to quality education and employment opportunities such that PWAs
may
live
independently
within
the
community,
to
minimize
or
completely
eradicate
discrimination and to enable the private sector to extend relevant services that will complement
the government’s programs.
Section 3. Definition of Terms. –- As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:
a.) Autism — 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.
c.) Intervention — refers to interceding action undertaken to help improve the autism
prognosis. Intervention in autism may take the form of medical, pharmacologic,
therapeutic, educational, and non-traditional habilitative care;
d.) Epidemiology — refers to study and analysis of the distribution and determinants of
health conditions, like autism, in defined populations.
Section 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 Republic Act No.
10754 and other related laws.
Section 5. Inter-Agency Cooperation, Accountability and Research. — The Department of
Health (DOH), in coordination with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Department of Education (DepEd), the
Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH), other academic institutions and non-
governmental organization, is hereby mandated to establish and evaluate the following activities:
a.) Inform and educate on such disabilities to increase awareness relating to causes, early
detection, management, treatment as well as development milestones;
7950


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
b.) Promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools for
such disabilities;
c.) Develop a curriculum for continuing education to assist individuals in recognizing
the need for, and using, valid and reliable screening tools;
d.) Promote early screening of children and individuals at higher risk for such disabilities;
e.) Promote research to determine evidence-based practices for interventions, develop
guidelines for those interventions and disseminate information related to such
research and guidelines; and
f.)
Encourage public participation in decisions relating to such disabilities.
Section 6. Continuing Education and Training on Autism for Public 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), Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), 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 education
and training to empower service providers to become more responsive, sensitive, and
compassionate in the delivery of services to PWAs and their families.
Section 7. Epidemiological Surveillance. — The Department of Health, in coordination with
different academic institutions and non-governmental organization is hereby mandated to
annually conduct an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of autism in the country
to provide data to government agencies and the private sector, and to make necessary services
available to PWAs and their families.
Section 8. Evidence-based Research. — The DOH, the Philippine Council for Health Research
and Development (PCHRD), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) are mandated, in
coordination with local and international mental health institutions, to promote, create, develop,
and adopt research and strategic plans that will continue to determine and establish evidence-
based practices for interventions in the treatment, care and integration into society of PWAs.
Section 9. 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 is updated accordingly.
Section 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 learners with autism, in matters
including, but not limited to, acceptance to academic or training programs, instructional support,
and behavior management.
Section 11. Provision for Equal Opportunities for Employment. — The DOLE and the Civil
Service Commission (CSC) shall formulate policies and programs to ensure that PWAs are
7950


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
provided equal opportunities for gainful employment and apprenticeship opportunities in the
private and public sector.
Section 12. Mandatory Insurance Coverage and Prohibition Against Discrimination thereof.
— All persons with autism shall be automatically covered by the National Health Insurance
Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) as provided under Republic Act
No. 11228. Funds necessary to ensure the enrolment of PWAs, who are 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, detection programs, and maintenance medical
procedures such as therapies as part of the available benefits of its members. The DOH shall
coordinate with the PHIC to ensure that insurance packages are available to PWAs. The
Department of Finance (DOF) shall likewise issue guidelines 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.
Section 13. Protection in cases of Disaster and Emergencies. — The DILG, DSWD and the
DND shall formulate the necessary policies and protocols to ensure that 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, in times of disasters,
calamities and other emergencies.
Section 14. 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 provides
over land, sea and air.
Section 15. Reasonable Accommodation in Legal Proceedings. — The DOJ shall formulate the
necessary policies and protocols to ensure criminal justice agencies and professionals shall
provide the necessary accommodation and protection to PWAs in behavioral and communication
challenges, who may be accused of, victims of, or witnesses to crimes.
Section 16. The National Autism CARES Plan. — The Philippine Council for Mental Health
(PCMH), a multi-sector body established by the Mental Health Act, in coordination with other
government agencies and stakeholders, shall develop, regularly update and monitor the
implementation of the Autism Cares Plan (ACP), a holistic medium-term plan that shall embody
the provisions of this Act, in order to respond to the needs of PWAs and their families for the
guidance of the stakeholders in public and private sector. The PCMH shall likewise coordinate
the development and implementation of necessary policies and programs to operationalize the
ACP and to ensure the needs of PWAs are served.
Section 17. 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.
Section 18. 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.
7950


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
Section 19. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, presidential
proclamations, letter of instruction, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 20. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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