Philippine Senate approves National Autism Care Act

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1822, also known as the “National Autism Care, Support, and Inclusion Act,” which seeks to establish a national plan aimed at improving care, services, and inclusion for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The proposed measure aims to strengthen programs such as early detection and screening, improve access to healthcare and therapy, promote inclusive education, and expand community support initiatives and employment opportunities for persons with ASD.

“Let this measure be our collective contribution to supporting people on the autism spectrum and their families. The message of this bill is clear: a just society enables the potential of every Filipino instead of creating hurdles,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored the bill.

Hontiveros said the legislation recognizes ASD as a neurodevelopmental condition and pushes for a coordinated, science-based national response to better support individuals with autism and their families.

The bill was authored by Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who said, “This is great news for Filipino families dealing with ASD. They’ve had it tough, and this law will really help lighten their burden.”

Under the measure, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will serve as the lead agency in crafting and implementing the National Plan of Action for ASD. The plan will align the efforts of key government agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Labor and Employment.

The bill also contains an anti-discrimination provision that makes it unlawful for any person, institution, or government office to deny or limit the rights of persons with ASD, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, employment, and social protection.

Funding for the implementation of the proposed law will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act to ensure the continued rollout of programs and services under the national plan.

-Paraluman News