Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said the House the Committee on Health and the Committee on Persons with Disabilities approved House Bill 3379, or the National Autism Program Act on Monday, March 25, marking an important step in strengthening support for individuals with ASD and their families.
The bill seeks to expand access to free assessment and therapy, PhilHealth coverage, early detection programs, inclusive education and barangay-based therapy centers, for every Filipino with ASD, he said.
It also grants TESDA training opportunities, additional leave benefits for parents, and other measures that promote dignity, inclusion, and better opportunities for Filipinos with ASD, he added.
“We will continue to push for the passage of this bill, with the goal of building a more inclusive system of care and support for children and families living with ASD,” he added.
The National Autism Program bill aims to provide support to an estimated 1.2 million Filipinos, including almost 350,000 children, living with autism.
The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) revealed that poverty rates are 50 percent higher in households with children with disabilities, he said.
“It is more than crucial that the government makes available free or affordable services for the diagnosis and therapies of children on the spectrum,” he said.*
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