Autism, Cooperation, Accountability and Research for the Education and Support (Cares) Act of 2025

Scliate Offier of the so cretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG 27 P2:27 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY 1291 S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go 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 Cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Philippines have shown a marked increase over the past decade. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) indicates that the number of Filipinos identified as being on the spectrum rose from an estimated 500,000 in 2008 to around one million by April 2018. However, experts caution that this figure likely falls short of the actual prevalence. Beyond prevalence, recent research sheds light on specific challenges faced by autistic Filipinos. For instance, feeding difficulties are highly prevalent among Filipino children with ASD-highlighting the need for early detection and inclusion of feeding behavior in screening protocols. Furthermore, first-hand perspectives from autistic Filipinos reveal systemic gaps in support and advocacy. They underscore that many autism organizations focus on parents and children, often sidelining the voices of autistic adults themselves. Given these circumstances, this bill seeks to establish a Comprehensive National Care Plan that will serve as a coordinated framework for promoting cooperation among

government agencies, private institutions, and civil society organizations in addressing the needs of persons with autism. The measure aims to strengthen accountability in program implementation, ensure evidence-based policymaking through sustained research, and provide holistic support that covers health, education, employment, and social inclusion. Moreover, this bill mandates PhilHealth to develop and implement benefit packages for PWAs to cover treatment and therapy. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAVERENCE "BONG" T. GO

Senaie Office of the & cretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUG 27 P2:27 First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY SENA291 S. No.. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go 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 House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Autism Cooperation,

2 Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2025."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. —The State hereby affirms its role in protecting and

4 upholding the rights of all persons. To this end, the State recognizes the need to legislate 5 for the distinctive needs of persons with autism (PWAs) to institutionalizing adequate 6 policies and programs that shall increase awareness and proper understanding of autism, 7 to develop a clear and consistent pathway to early detection and diagnosis, provide 8 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 5 Inter-Agency Cooperation, Accountability and Research. - The

16 Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), the Philippine Council for 18 Mental Health (PCMH), other academic institutions and non-governmental organization, 19 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; 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.

SEC. 6. Epidemiological Surveillance. - The Department of Health, in coordination

6 with different academic institutions and non-governmental organizations, is hereby mandated to annually conduct an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of 8 autism in the country to provide data to government agencies and the private sector, and 9 to make necessary services available to PWAs and their families.

SEC. 7. Evidence-based Research. - The DOH, the Philippine Council for Health

11 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 15 and integration into society of PWAs.

SEC. 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 is updated accordingly.

SEC. 9. 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.

SEC. 10. Provision for Equal Opportunities for Employment —The DOLE and the

28 Civil Service Commission (CSC) shall formulate policies and programs to ensure that PWAs

1 are provided equal opportunities for gainful employment and apprenticeship opportunities in the private and public sector.

SEC. 11. Insurance Coverage and Prohibition Against Discrimination thereof - All

4 persons with autism shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program of the 5 Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC). PHIC shall develop and implement benefit packages for PWAs to cover treatment and therapy. 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 9 include allied medical procedures such as occupational and speech therapies in health 10 insurance benefits of policy holders.

SEC. 12. 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.

SEC. 13. Access to Transportation. —The DOTr shall formulate the necessary

policies and protocols to ensure PWAs with behavioral and communication challenges and 19 their families are given reasonable accommodation in accessing all forms of transportation 20 by service provided over land, sea and air.

SEC. 14. 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.

SEC. 15. Appropriation. -The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this

27 Act shall be included and incorporated in the annual general appropriations of the DOH.

SEC. 16. 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.

SEC. 17. 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.

SEC. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,