28/05/2026
๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐น ๐ฒ๐
๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ ๐๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐๐บ
Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez, has proposed House Bill 3379, also known as the Comprehensive National Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Act, to further pave the way toward inclusivity for Filipinos on the autism spectrum.
Beyond free therapy sessions in both private and public hospitals, the bill mandates free developmental assessments, home empowerment programs, inclusive education, and equal employment opportunities, with parents receiving additional leave benefits.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will allocate a monthly allowance of โฑ4,000 per person on the spectrum, with regular adjustments to match inflation rates.
Highlighting the significance of the bill, Benitez stated, "Inclusion begins when the government chooses to see every Filipino. Like any other person, every individual on the spectrum deserves support, dignity, and opportunity,โ
Furthermore, Benitez noted that while autism affects 1.2 million Filipinos, barriers to diagnosis, education, and employment force many families to seek expensive private care or forgo therapy altogether.
Written by: Challen Ordinario
Layout by: Nathaniel David Mallari
