Republic of the Philippines

Provincial Government of Palawan

OFFICE OF BOARD MEMBER ARISTON D. ARZAGA
Legislative Building, Capitol Compound, Puerto Princesa City

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE SEPARATE BILLS SEEKING TO

ESTABLISH THE CENTER FOR AUTISM

Authored by: Hon. Ariston D. Arzaga

WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorder is a brain-based disorder that affects a child’s behavior,
communication skills and social skills. It includes 3 of 5 disorders known as Pervasive Developmental
Disorders (PDDs). These are Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and PDD-not otherwise specified
(PDDNOS). Although we do not have the prevalence rate of autism in the Philippines, recent data from
the US reports the prevalence of ASD at 1 in 150 individuals. It is more common in boys than in girls;

WHEREAS, Autism is characterized by impairments in communication skills, impairments in

social relatedness and the presence of repetitive and ritualistic behavior. No two children with ASD are
the same. Individuals have varying symptoms with varying severity;

WHEREAS, the member-states of the United Nations (UN) observe World Autism Awareness
Day on April 1. However, Autism Consciousness Week is celebrated every third week of January in the
Philippines. Available report from the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disability entitled “Summary
Distribution of Cause of Disability Autism by Region, Province, and Age Range for the Period of August
2020 to October 2021”, in which Palawan recorded a total of 16 Persons with Disability caused by
autism;

WHEREAS, the Honorable Senate President Zubiri, in filing Senate Bill No. 611 on July 14,
2022, noted that the cases of autism spectrum disorder in the Philippines have been steadily climbing for
the past 10 years. Citing the Department of Health (DOH) statistics, the number of Filipinos on the
spectrum has ballooned from five hundred thousand in 2008 to one million in April 2018, "and that is
only from a limited statistical tool". As this number continues to rise, it is imperative that the Philippine
government finally recognize the prevalence of autism, and provide much-needed services to people
living with it;

WHEREAS, the Honorable Senate President Zubiri’s bill pointed out that there is, at the
moment, no identifiable cause for it and, as such, no cure. Even so, we can ensure that people on the
spectrum receive proper, personalized treatment such as applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy,
occupational therapy, and verbal behavior therapy;

WHEREAS, the Honorable Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito filed Senate Bill No. 2026 dated
March 21, 2023, highlighting that it is but proper to give significance and emphasis on the role of the
government in taking care of our children and adults who have autism and intellectual disabilities. Under
this measure, the Center for Autism shall be governed by the National Autism Board (NAB), which shall
be under the Office of the President. The NAB shall be composed of representatives from the Department
of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, Autism Society of the Philippines, and
parents of children and adults with autism;

WHEREAS, the Honorable Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, in his Senate Bill No. 1031 filed
on August 4, 2022, also noted how the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about one in 100
children has autism. The World Population Review, he said, also reported the increase in autism rates by
country in 2022, showing the Philippines having autism rates of 81.8 per 10,000 people, or 1 in 122
people;

WHEREAS, this legislative unit recognizes the need to strengthen and promote the optimal
health and well-being of people with autism, hence, the proposal of this measure that seeks the
establishment of a Center for Autism, which will focus on improving the quality of life of children and
adults with autism, Senator Estrada said;

WHEREAS, the establishment of a Center for Autism will answer the needs of people dealing
with autism, as it will offer accessible diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services, as well as
vocational training services, to adults with autism. These treatments remain financially inaccessible for
many patients. Citing a 2014 study, the Senate leader said researchers in the United States and the United
Kingdom estimated that expenses for lifelong care of an individual with autism can reach up to $2.4
million. Making it a "costly burden;

WHEREAS, this August Body, acknowledges the effort of the Senate of the Philippines towards
the protection of the rights of and the enrichment of the benefits available to persons with autism and
their families;

WHEREAS, this August Body is strongly supporting this measure creating a Center for Autism
in the country, which will help create diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation clinics, provide
vocational training programs for autistic adults, provide free diagnosis and rehabilitation services to
indigent autistic, provide continuing training programs for teachers, therapists, and other medical
professionals, provide other services such as counseling, orientation, and referral, and increase public
awareness and concern on autism by spearheading advocacy programs;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED TO SUPPORT THE

SEPARATE BILLS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH THE CENTER FOR AUTISM.

RESOLVED FINALLY, to forward copies of this Resolution to the office of Honorable Senator
Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri, Senate President, Rooms 606 & 521B, 20, 211 (Extension), GSIS Bldg.,
Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay City, Honorable Senator Joseph Victor "JV" G. Ejercito, Deputy
Majority Floor Leader, Rooms 505 & 18 (Extension), GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Diokno Blvd., Pasay
City, and Honorable Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Rooms 602 & 19 (Extension), Financial Center,
Diokno Blvd., Pasay City for their information.

ARISTON D. ARZAGA
Board Member, 2nd District of Palawan