• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has lauded the Senate’s approval on third and final reading of the proposed National Autism Care, Support, and Inclusion Act.
Benitez, who authored House Bill 3379 or the National Autism Program bill, said the support of the Senate is an important step toward strengthening early detection, healthcare and therapy services, inclusive education, community support, and employment opportunities for persons with autism spectrum disorder and their families.
He also commended Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri for authoring it, and Senator Risa Hontiveros for sponsoring the measure.
“Efforts like this move us closer to a more inclusive society where persons with autism are supported, understood, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Benitez said.
The bill aims to provide support to around 1.2 million Filipinos, including almost 350,000 children, living with autism.
Benitez said that given the cost of the assessment and therapies, it is unlikely for low and even medium-income families to regularly afford these life-changing therapies for their children.
“As someone who has long supported policies that expand services for persons with autism, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to advance measures that will ensure stronger and more coordinated support systems for the autism community,” he added.
To address the inaccessibility of autism treatment, HB 3379 establishes an Autism Support Allowance Program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development that will provide regular stipend amounting to P4,000.
The measure would also provide other services such as free developmental assessment for all Filipino children until the age of five; free occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy in Department of Health hospitals; and free medicines for POS diagnosed with Level 3 Autism. | GB
