The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the well-being of persons on the autism spectrum disorder. We envision a society where Filipinos on the spectrum become the best of their potentials -- self-reliant, independent, productive, socially-accepted citizens of an Autism-OK Philippines.

04 April 2011

Philippine Senators file Autism Bills to Address Health Crisis

By: Tiffany Tan, ASP Board Secretary


April 2, 2011, will be the 4th World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), a UN resolution that brought to the world’s attention to autism. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all UN Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention.
World Autism Awareness Day poster

It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges. The UN acknowledges that AUTISM is a growing global health crisis.

In 2009, by Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, spouse of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reported that an estimated 1% or the world’s population or 67 million are on the autism spectrum. Click here to watch video (Source: WAAD website)

If we base the information that is given above, the estimated statistics will be as follows. The current world population is 6.91 Billion. An estimated 69 million or 1% of the world population is on the autism spectrum.

According to the National Statistics Office, the current (2010) estimated Philippine population is 92.23 million. If we were to use this ratio to the Philippine demographic, Filipinos with autism will be roughly 922,000!

With the alarming growth of the number of children diagnosed with autism each day, we earnestly urge our legislators to take cognizance of the plight of all Filipino families dealing with autism.

Here is the latest list of Philippine Autism Bills of the 15th Congress:
Senate of the Philippines logo

SBN-1644: Advisory Committee on Autism and Immune Deficiency Disorders in Infants and Toddlers. An Act Establishing An Advisory Committee Within the Department of Health to Study Issues Related to Autism, and Infant and Toddler Immune System Disorders Filed on July 20, 2010 by Defensor Santiago, Miriam

SBN-1626: Autism Prevention, Early Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment Act

An Act Requiring Health Insurers to Provide Full Coverage for the Prevention, Early Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder Filed on July 19, 2010 by Defensor Santiago, Miriam

SBN-1273: Autism Registry Act An Act Establishing Autism Registry Filed on July 12, 2010 by Villar, Manny B.

SBN-1124: Inter-agency Initiative to Enhance Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. An Act Establishing An Inter-agency Initiative to Enhance Services for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Filed on July 12, 2010 by Villar, Manny B.

SBN-810: Autism Center. An Act Establishing a Center for Autism and for Other Purposes Filed on July 7, 2010 by Ejercito-Estrada, Jinggoy P.

SBN-287: Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders Act. An Act Creating the Philippine Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Office of Autism Services Filed on July 6, 2010 by Trillanes, Antonio "Sonny" F.

SBN-40: Comprehensive Autism Intervention Act of 2010. An Act Instituting a National Comprehensive Program on Autism and for Other Purposes Filed on July 1, 2010 by Lapid, Manuel "Lito" M., Recto, Ralph G.

ASP would like to express its gratitude to all the legislators who authored the bills on autism. However, as of this publication, all the bills are still pending in the Senate Committees

ASP commits itself to work harder for the future of our loved ones with autism. Help us. Write your senators and lobby for legislation. Share our Hope and Build our Dreams.

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