1
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI 
______________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cases of autism spectrum disorder in the Philippines have been steadily rising in 
the past ten years. According to the Department of Health, the number of Filipinos 
on the spectrum has ballooned from Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) in 2008 to 
One Million (1,000,000) in April 2018, and that is only from a limited statistical 
pool. As the cases continue to rise, it is imperative that the government finally 
recognize the prevalence of autism and provide much-needed services to people 
living with it. 
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s communicative 
and interactive abilities. It often manifests itself through symptoms from early 
childhood. There is, at the moment, no identifiable cause for it, and as such, no 
cure. Even so, we can ensure that people on the spectrum receive proper, 
personalized treatment such as applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, 
occupational therapy, and verbal behavior therapy. Quality treatment will help 
them gain foundational skills that will make them better equipped to lead healthy 
and meaningful lives. 
But these treatments are moot if they remain financially incapacitated. In a 2014 
study, researchers in the United States and the United Kingdom estimated that 
expenses for lifelong care of an individual with autism can add up to $2.4 million. 
Autism care is a costly burden. A government-funded Center of Autism will help 
alleviate some of that burden, especially for indigent patients and their families. 
The establishment of a Center for Autism in the Philippines will answer to the needs 
of people dealing with autism, as it will offer accessible diagnostic, therapeutic, 
and rehabilitation services, as well as vocational training services to adults with 
autism. It will also launch a strong autism awareness program to normalize and 
de-stigmatize autism in society, that will help us all create an environment 
conducive to the growth and development of people on the spectrum. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently sought. 
MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI 
May 19, 2021
1:24 pm
9369


2
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
_______________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI 
______________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR AUTISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the 
state to promote and protect the right of all individuals to live a full, healthy, holistic and 
quality life. This includes individuals who are suffering from autism or any kind of 
developmental disability. Therefore, the state shall promote and protect the rights of  
autistic individuals by providing them adequate support through easy access to health 
care, educational and other services.  
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the terms below shall 
be constructed to mean, except where explicitly indicated or where the text clearly 
indicates otherwise as follows: 
a) Autism – is a developmental disability that appears during the first three
years of life; the result of a neurological disorder that affects the
functioning of the brain;
b) Disability - shall mean 1) a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more psychological, physiological or
anatomical function of an individual or activities of such individual; 2) a
record of such an impairment; or 3) regarded as having such an
impairment;
c) Disabled Gifted – persons who demonstrate superior performance
capabilities in intellectual, creative, specific academic areas, leadership,
or in the arts in spite of physical, sensory or psychological disabilities;
9369


 
3
d) Disabled Worker – means a worker whose earning capacity is impaired 
by mental, physical, or sensory deficiency or injury; 
e) Handicap – refers to disadvantage for given individual, resulting from 
an impairment of disability that limits or prevents the function of activity, 
that is considered normal given the age and sex of the individual; 
f) Impairment – is any loss, diminution or aberration of psychological, 
physiological, or anatomical structure of function; 
g) Indigent patient – a disabled person whose level of income falls below 
poverty threshold; 
h) Rehabilitation – an integrated approach to physical, psychological, 
cultural, spiritual, educational, or vocational, measures that create 
conditions for individual to attain the highest possible level of functional 
ability; and, 
i) Special Education (SPED) – type of education specifically designed for 
learners with special needs who cannot profit maximally from regular 
education such that they require trained personnel modifications in the 
curricula, teaching methods, instructional materials and adaptations in 
facilities equipment. 
 
SEC. 3. Creation of a Center for Autism. – There is hereby created a center 
for Autism which shall be tasked to perform the following functions: 
1) Formulate and implement an integrated and comprehensive master 
plan;  
2) Create a diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation clinic; 
3) Provide vocational training programs for autistic adults; 
4) Provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to indigent autistic; 
5) Provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, and other 
medical professionals, ; 
6) Provide other services such as counseling, orientation and referral; and 
7) Increase public awareness and concern on autism by spearheading 
advocacy programs. 
 
SEC. 4. Governing Board, Composition, Term, Functions. – There is 
hereby created a National Autism Board, hereby referred to as the Board, which shall be 
under the Office of the President. The Board shall govern the Center for Autism and shall 
be composed of the following: 
1) One (1) representative from the Department of Health, who shall sit 
as Chairperson; 


 
4
2) One (1) representative from the Department of Education who shall 
sit as the Vice-Chairperson; 
3) One (1) representative from the Department of Social Welfare and 
Developmental as Member; 
4) Two (2) representatives from the National Council for Welfare of 
Disabled Persons as Members; 
5) Two (2) representatives from the Autism Society of the Philippines as 
Members; and, 
6) Two (2) representatives from the Parents of Children and Adults with 
Autism as Members. 
 SEC. 5. Secretariat – The board shall have a Secretariat under an Executive 
Officer who shall be appointed by the President. The Executive Officer shall manage the 
day-to-day operations of the Board and shall be assisted by a Deputy Executive Officer 
who shall likewise be appointed by the President. 
The Executive Officer shall have the following powers and functions: 
1) Execute, administer and implement the policies and measures 
approved by the Board; 
2) Direct and supervise the affairs and operations of the Board; 
3) Submit within thirty (30) days after the close of every calendar year 
an annual report to the Board and such other reports it may require; 
4) Submit an annual budget and such supplementary budgets as may be 
necessary to the Board for its consideration and approval; 
5) Represent the Board in all transactions with other offices, agencies, 
instrumentalities of government and with all persons and other 
entities, public or private, domestic or foreign; and, 
6) Appoint, subject to confirmation of the Board, and discipline in 
accordance with Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, the officers 
and personnel below the level of Deputy Executive Officer.  
The Deputy Executive Officer shall perform the following functions; 
1) Assist the Executive Officer in the discharge of his powers and 
functions; 
2) Act as the Executive Officer during the Executive Officer’s absence; 
and,  
3) Discharge such other powers and functions as may be required by the 
Executive Officer and the Board 
 


 
5
SEC. 6. Appropriations. – For the initial operating expenses of the Center, the 
amount of Five Million Pesos (5,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated from the available 
funds of the Office of the President. Thereafter, it shall submit to the Department of 
Budget and Management, its proposed budget for inclusion in the General Appropriations 
Act. 
SEC. 7. Transitory Provisions. – Within the period of one hundred and eighty 
(180) days after the approval of this Act, the Board constituted shall start its operation. 
All other government offices having functions similar to the Board shall then cease to 
perform such functions. Henceforth, these functions shall be deemed transferred to the 
board. 
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Board in consolation 
with appropriate agencies from the private and government sectors shall issue guidelines 
and prescribe rules and regulations within one hundred (100) days after the effectivity of 
this Act which shall be published in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. A copy of 
such guidelines, rules and regulations shall be furnished to the Congress of the 
Philippines. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and 
other issuances, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
repealed or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. – Should any provision of this Act, be declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions of this Act which are not affected hereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect.  
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in 
the Philippines.  
 
 
Approved,