I
-
 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
First Regular Session 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SEP 23 p5:tii”. 
S.B. No. 
3. 
Introduced by SENATOR COMPANERA PIA S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Recent statistics show that there is a significant number of children who 
are differently-abled, like autistic, dyslexic, blind, deaf and crippled. Parents 
complain of lack of government action on the matter and thus have to resort to 
private rehabilitation and education centers which are not only costly but are very 
scarce. 
There is a need for a definite and comprehensive program for the early 
detection of these illnesses as well as early intervention. It is therefore imperative 
that a government agency under the auspices of the Department of Health be 
created for the proper care and education of these special children and their 
family so that these special children can be trained and educated to bring out 
their talent and make them useful members of society. 
For these reasons, approval of this Bill is urgently sought 
Senator 


) 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
”‘38 SEP 23 PS :oh 
,... : 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR COMPANERA PIA S. CAYETANO 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
SPECIAL 
CHILDREN 
CENTER, 
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. - Title. - This Act shall be known as The Philippine Special 
Children Center Act of 2004. 
Section 2. - Definition of Terms. - 
a. “Special Children” shall mean children with physical and/or mental 
disability, i. e. autistic, dyslexic, children with attention deficit hyperactivity 
disorder, blind, deaf, mute and the like, and therefore need special 
attention, care and education. 
b. “Department” shall mean the Department of Health 
c. “PSC Center” shall mean the Philippine Special Children Center. 
d. “Director” shall mean the administrator of the PSC Center. 
e. ”DepEd” shall mean the Department of Education. 
f. “DSWD” shall mean the Department of Social Welfare and Development. 
g. “RHU” shall mean Rural Health Unit established under the Local 
Government Code. 
h. “LGUs” shall mean the Local Government Units 
i. “PSC Care” shall mean special children care unit created in each RHU 
Section 3. PSC Cenfer, - The PSC Center is hereby established and 
created with the following duties and responsibilities, among others: 
a. To formulate policies and programs for the proper assessment and 
treatment of special children. 


b. To formulate policies and programs for the proper assessment and 
education of special children. 
c. To formulate policies and programs for the proper integration of special 
children into society. 
d. To formulate policies and programs for private sector and cause-oriented 
group's participation in the full implementation of this Act. 
e. To formulate policies and programs for the orientation and education of 
families of special children. 
f. To establish PSC Care in each RHU as may be necessary for the 
complete implementation of this Act. 
g. To train and educate PSC Care personnel in the proper assessment of 
special children in order that early intervention, rehabilitation, treatment 
and education may be administered to these special children. 
Section 4. Direcfor. -The person to be appointed as Director of the PSC 
Center must have the following qualifications: 
a. 
b. 
He or she must be at least thirty five (35) years of age; 
A Medical Doctor with at least five (5) years of experience in 
developmental pediatrics or its equivalent; 
Must be of good moral character and of known probity. 
c. 
Section 5. PSC Committee. - A PSC Committee is hereby created with 
the Secretary of the Department of Health or hisfher representative as Chairman 
and the Secretaries of the DSWD and DepEd or their representatives as 
members. The PSC Committee shall be responsible for the promulgation of the 
necessary implementing rules and regulation for the complete implementation of 
this Act. 
Section 6. Responsibility of LGUs. - Each LGU shall appropriate the 
necessary fund for the establishment, maintenance and operation of PSC Care in 
the RHU on their respective jurisdiction. 
Section 7. Fund, - An initial fund in the amount of Twenty Five Million 
Pesos (Php25,000,000.00) is hereby allocated for the establishment of the PSC 
Center. Thereafter, its fund shall be included in the budget of the Department 
under the General Appropriations Act. 
SECTION. 8. Separability Clause.- If any part, section, or provision of 
this Act shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions shall not be 
affected thereby. 


SECTION. 
9. 
Repealing Clause. - All other acts, laws, executive 
orders, presidential issuances, rules and regulations or any part thereof which 
are inconsistent herewith are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION. 10. Effectivity. - The provisions of this Act shall take effect 
fifteen days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,