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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Benitez bill to establish dedicated institution for autism

Benitez bill to establish dedicated institution for autism

Published May 26, 2026 01:43 am

At A Glance

  • Rep. Albee Benitez filed House Bill No. 3379 to establish a National Autism Center under the DOH, tasked with research, surveillance, and program development for persons on the spectrum.
  • The bill mandates free therapy sessions, developmental assessments, home empowerment programs, allowances for families, additional parental leave, inclusive education, and equal employment opportunities.
  • Benitez stressed that government support has been lacking, leaving families to bear costly private therapy, and emphasized that inclusion requires dignity, opportunity, and structural reforms for 1.2 million Filipinos with autism.
Bacolod 1st district Rep. Albee Benitez (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Bacolod 1st district Rep. Albee Benitez (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


Deputy Speaker Bacolod 1st district Rep. Albee Benitez is batting for the creation of a National Autism Center (NAC)--a dedicated institution that would address autism as a whole and help Persons on the Spectrum (POS).
Benitez’s proposal is contained in House Bill (HB) No. 3379 or "An Act Instituting a Comprehensive National Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program".
The bill defines autism or ASD as a broad category of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by difficulties with social communication from a young age, as well as unique repetitive behavior patterns and narrow interests, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5).
Meanwhile, POS refers to persons who are clinicallv diagnosed with any disorder that falls under ASD, according to HB No. 3379
As one of the key features of the measure, the NAC shall be established under the Department of Health (DOH).
It shall conduct annual epidemiological surveillance programs and constantly update the data on the prevalence of autism in the country to provide data for government agencies delivering services to POS:
It will be tasked to launch necessary researches on the latest and most effective interventions on ASD.
The NAC will also conduct an inventory of current national and local government programs available for POS and how those are being accessed by the target clients;
Moreover, it will develop modules for interventions for POS, capacity building of health workers and other government service providers, trainings for teachers and home empowerment programs;
Lastly, it shall dentify policy gaps and provide necessary data to government agencies developing programs under this Act.
The Benitez bill seeks to mandate the government to provide free therapy sessions for persons with autism in both public hospitals and private clinics.
In a statement delivered before the Committee on Health, Benitez lamented on the challenges of Filipino families raising their children in the autism spectrum.
"[ASD] affects 1.2 million Filipinos and their families. Yet, many still face barriers in terms of access to early diagnosis, early intervention, inclusive education, meaningfu employment and community support. These gaps limit not only their potential, but also the opportunities for them to fully participate ir society," said the deputy speaker.
According to Benitez, the government has failed to support Filipinos with autism and their families. He cited the lack of government support in terms of occupational and speech therapies.
"As a result many parents are left with no choice but to seek costly services from private therapy centers or, worse, forgo therapy for their children."
HB No. 3379 also includes provisions such as free developmental assessment, home empowerment programs, monthly allowance to families of persons on the spectrum, additional leave benefits for parents of children with autism, inclusive education and equal opportunities for employment
"Inclusion begins when government chooses to see every Filipino. Like any other person, every individual on the spectrum deserves support, dignity, and opportunity," Benitez added.

Related Tags

Autism Albee Benitez DOH
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