SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )
RECEL Ss. -
SENATE
s.B.NoL809

Introduced by Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder with an
unknown etiology that affects an individual to communicate and interact with others. It is a
lifelong development condition that affects how a person communicates and relates to
other people.

The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in every 160 children has an ASD
worldwide. In the Philippines, experts and advocates have estimated that there are close to
1,000,000 people with autism. The Autism Society of the Philippines estimates that only
10% of Filipinos with autism are diagnosed and only 5% are receiving appropriate
interventions. Studies have also shown that the average annual cost of the interventions
designed for a school-aged child is around P180,000.2

The 67% World Health Assembly adopted resolution calling for the strengthening of
capacities of national governments to address ASD and other developmental disorders
within the context of a broader framework of mental health and disabilities.

This measure proposes actions to strengthen government capacities towards addressing
the needs of individuals with ASD and their families. Interventions that focus on protecting
the rights and ensuring the well-being of people with ASD, raising public awareness,
training and capacity building of public service providers will be undertaken by different
government agencies through the Philippine Council for Mental Health established by the
Mental Health Law.

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ana THOR oni rospariquel

! https://www-philstar.com/headlines/2014/04/10/1310840/number-people-autism-increasing#6rsOBIEJI7eMAPY\.99
® Magno Veluz, M et al. Primer on Autism in the Philippines, Autism Society of the Philippines

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) &
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

"18 MAY 16
SENATE
s.B.No.1809

RECE US:

Introduced by Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel

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”.

SECTION 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 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.

SECTION 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.

(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 the study and analysis of the distribution and
determinants of health conditions, like autism, in define populations.

SECTION 4. Treatment as Persons with Disability — All PWAs shall be treated as

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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.

SECTION 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), 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 mandatory continuing
education to sensitize and empower service providers to become effective front liners in
the delivery of services to PWAs and their families.

SECTION 6. Epidemiological Surveillance Programs. ~ The Department of Health, in
coordination with different academic institutions and non-governmental organizations is
hereby mandated to conduct an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of
autism in the country annually to provide data to government agencies and the private
sector, to make necessary services available to PWAs and their families.

SECTION 7. 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 educational institutions, to
‘strengthen its research focus on autism; to invest in clinical and molecular studies and
grants to support the development of best practices in autism intervention in the
Philippines.

SECTION 8. 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
are updated accordingly.

SECTION 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 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 and detection programs, as one of the available benefits of its members.

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
leamers with autism, in matters including, but not limited to, acceptance to academic or
training programs, instructional supports, and behavior management.

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SECTION 11. Provision for Equal Opportunities for Employment — The DOLE and
the Civil Service Commission shall formulate policies and programs to ensure that adult
PWAs are provided equal opportunities for gainful employment in the private and public
sector

SECTION 12. 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.

SECTION 13. 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 PWAs with behavioral and communication
challenges.

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 providers over land, sea and air.

SECTION 15. 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 in behavioral and communication challenges, who may be the accused of,
victims of or witnesses to crimes.

SECTION 16. The Philippine Council for Mental Health — The Philippine Council for
Mental Health (PCMH), a multi-sector body established by the Mental Health Act to
provide for a coherent, rational and unified response to mental health in the country,
shall spearhead and coordinate the government actions to address the need of Filipinos
with autism and their families.

SECTION 17. The National Autism Care Plan - The PCMH, in coordination with other
government agencies and stakeholders, shall develop, regularly update, and monitor
the implementation of the National Autism Care Plan (NACP), a holistic medium-term
plan 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 NACP and to ensure the needs of PWAs are served.

SECTION 18. 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 19. Separability Clause. — if any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SECTION 20. 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 21. 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,