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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4353

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The Philippines faces a silent crisis affecting its most vulnerable children. In a recent study by the United
Nations Children’s Fund, there is an estimated 1.6 million Filipino Children with learning disabilities (1),
Moreover, of the more than one million learners with disabilities identified by the Department of Education
(DepEd), only 391,089 are enrolled in public schools for SY 2024-2025, revealing a significant gap in
reaching those who need support (2).

While the passage of Republic Act No. 11650, the Inclusive Education Act, was a landmark step in
‘mandating the creation of Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCS), its full implementation remains a
challenge. Many localities ate still in the early stages of establishing these centers, leaving families without
immediate relief.

For these families, raising a child with special needs is a journey of immense financial and emotional strain.
Access to crucial services is often limited and expensive. A single session of occupational or speech therapy
‘can cost between PhP850.00 to PhP3,000.00. For a child requiring multiple sessions per week, this can
‘easily amount to PhP5,000,00 to PhP10,000.00 per month—a cost that is far beyond the reach of an average
Filipino family. This is exacerbated by a shortage of specialists and inequitable distribution; the entire
country has only 99 Developmental Paediatricians, with a majority (52%) practicing in the National Capital
Region (3). Consequently, parents are forced to navigate an expensive and difficult landscape to find the
care their children desperately need.

‘This bl, the "Inclusive Development and Well-Being of Children with Special Needs Act,” seeks to bridge
this gap by establishing an integrated national framework of support by addressing the challenges faced by
these children and theit families through a holistic approach that ensures no one is left behind.

‘The measure aims to provide tangible relief and create meaningful opportunities through several key
interventions:


1. Accessible Therapy and Education: It mandates the expansion of SPED centers and strengthens
inclusive education in mainstream schools. Crucially, it establishes subsidies, vouchers, and expanded
PhilHealth coverage to make essential therapies and medical care affordable for all, especially for low-

income families.

2. Financial Relief for Families: It provides direct financial support to families through grants and
proposes tax incentives to alleviate the high cost of raising a child with special needs.

3. Family and Societal Support: It calls for the creation of community support centers and parental
training and empowerment programs to empower caregivers. It also mandates national awareness
campaigns to combat stigma and discrimination to foster a more inclusive and accepting society.

4. Coordinated Implementation: To ensure these efforts are effective and sustained, the bill creates an
Inter-Agency Coordinating Council to harmonize the programs of the DSWD, DOH, DepEd, National
Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), PhilHealth and other relevant agencies, ensuring a unified

government response.

Providing our children with special needs the right relief and opportunities is an investment in the future
of our nation and a strong reflection of our values as Filipinos. ‘This bill is a significant step towards
upholding the dignity and rights of every child, giving them a genuine support and opportunity to reach
their fullest potential.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

REP. EDUARDO R. RAMA!

2" District, City of Cebu


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

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.4393

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

AN ACT
PROMOTING THE INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING OF
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, PROVIDING FOR COMPREHENSIVE
SUPPORT SYSTEMS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Inclusive Development and
‘Well-Being of Children with Special Needs Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
protect and promote the rights of children with special needs, ensuring their full and inclusive
development. The State recognizes that children with special needs possess inherent dignity and
the right to a quality of life that enables them to achieve their fullest potential. To this end, the
State shall:

2) Prioritize and integrate the needs of children with special needs into all relevant
legislative efforts, policies, programs, and services.

b) Ensure access to quality, comprehensive, and appropriate intervention,
therapeutic, and educational services.

° Alleviate the financial and emotional burdens on families of children with special
needs through various mechanisms.

4) Foster a society that embraces inclusivity, free from stigma and discrimination

against children with special needs and their families.


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©) Strengthen inter-agency collaboration and establish a comprehensive support

system for children with special needs and thei families.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) Children with Special Needs (CSN) refers to individuals below cighteen (18) years of
age who have developmental delays, disabilities, or conditions that require specialized
interventions, including but not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, intellectual
disability, specific learning disabilities, sensory impairments (visual or heating), and
speech and language disorders. This also include those who have long-tenn physical,
‘mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers
may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis.

b) Early Intervention Services refers to a range of services provided to infants and
toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families to promote the
child's development and minimize the effects of the disability.

©) Therapeutic Services refers to professional interventions such as, but not limited to,
occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, behavioral
therapy, and other related services designed to improve the functional abilities and
well-being of CSN.

4) Special Education (SPED) refers to the educational program designed to meet the
unique needs of CSN, including SPED centers, inclusive classrooms, and home-based
programs.

©) Underserved Areas refers to geographical regions, localities, or communities where
access to specialized services for CSN is limited or nonexistent.

f) Assistive Tools and Medical Care refers to devices, equipment, technologies,
medications, and healthcare services that assist CSN in their daily living,

communication, mobility, and overall health management.

SECTION 4. Accessible Therapy and Education. — ‘The State shall ensure that all

CSN have equitable access to quality therapy and education. To this end, the following shall be

implemented:

a) Expansion of SPED Schools and Centers. The Department of Education
DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH), shall establish and

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expand SPED schools and centers in underserved areas, ensuring adequate

facilities and qualified SPED teachers and therapists.

b) Subsidies for Therapy Services. The DOH and DSWD, in coordination with the

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHlealth), shall develop and
implement a subsidy program for therapeutic services for CSN, covering a
significant portion of therapy and rehabilitation costs. The subsidy program shall

prioritize indigent and low-income families.

©) Inclusion in Regular Schools. ‘The DepEd shall strengthen its education program,

providing ne

ssary and inclusive training for teachers, learning resources, and
education plans to facilitate the successful integration ofCSN into mainstream

classrooms wherever appropriate.

SECTION 5. Financial Relief for Families. — Yo mitigate the financial burden on
families of CSN, the following measures shall be undertaken:

a) Vouchers and Grants. The DSW), in coordination with relevant agencies, shall

establish a system of vouchers and grants for eligible families of CSN to support
the costs of therapy, medical care, assistive tools, and specialized education.

Priority shall be given to families categorized as indigent or vulnerable.

b) Tax Incentives. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) shall explore and

recommend to Congess appropriate tax incentives for parents or legal guardians
of CSN, including deductions for medical expenses, therapy costs, and specialized

educational fees.

©) PhilFlealth Coverage Expansion. PhilHealth shall expand its coverage to include a

range of therapeutic services, diagnostic procedures, and assistive devices for CSN,

with higher benefit limits and streamlined claims processes.

SECTION 6. Public Awareness and Acceptance Campaigns. — The State shall
promote public awareness and acceptance of CSN designed to foster an inclusive society and
‘combat stigma,

a) National Awareness Campaigns. ‘The Department of Education (DepEd),

Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) shall develop and implement
national public awareness and acceptance campaigns on various special needs, which

shall promote understanding, empathy, and early identification.


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b) Educational Curricula Integration. ‘The DepEd shall integrate modules on special
needs awareness, inclusion, and disability rights into relevant educational curricula at

all levels.

SECTION 7. Support Systems for Families and Caregivers. — The State shall
establish and strengthen support systems for families and caregivers of CSN.

a) Community Centers for CSN. The DSW), in coordination with the Local
Government Units (LGUs), shall endeavor to establish or support existing
community centers in their jurisdiction. The support may include any of the
following: i) free or subsidized therapy services, i) parental training, and/or, iii)
emotional support groups for families of CSN. These centers shall also serve as
hubs for information dissemination and referral to other relevant services.

b) Parental Training and Empowerment Programs. The DSWD and DOH shall, in
coordination and cooperation with the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), develop and implement comprehensive
training programs for parents and caregivers of CSN. These training programs shall
focus on equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support their
child's development and manage challenging behaviors.

SECTION 8. Stronger Policies for Inclusion. — The State shall ensure the full
inclusion of CSN in all aspects of society.

a) Inclusion in Schools. ‘The DepEd shall formulate and implement guidelines for
inclusive education, mandating reasonable accommodations, and nondiscriminatory
practices for CSN in both public and private schools.

b) Accessibility in Public Spaces. All government agencies and private establishments
shall ensure that public spaces, facilities, and services are accessible to CSN, in

compliance with existing accessibility laws and regulations.

SECTION 9. Inter-Agency Coordinating Council. — ‘There is hereby created an
Inter-Agency Coordinating Council for Children with Special Needs (IACCSN) (hereinafter
referred to as the "Council"), to ensure the effective implementation of this Act. The Council shall
be composed of representatives from the DSWD, DOH, DepEd, National Council on Disability
Affairs (NCDA), PhilHealth, and at least two representatives from the private sector, which
directly implement programs relevant and related to the needs of the CSNs. The Council shall:


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a) Formulate and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive national plan for the
welfare of CSN.

b) Coordinate the programs and activities of various government agencies and non-
government organizations pertaining to CSN.

c) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs addressing the needs
of CSN.

d) Recommend legislative and policy reforms to further enhance the rights and well:
being of CSN.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION Ul. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with the DOH, DepEd, NCDA, PhilHealth,
and in consultation with other relevant agencies and stakcholders, shall formulate and promulgate

the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified

accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,