MANILA — A new measure has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking to institutionalize government assistance for children diagnosed with autism, as well as their families and caregivers.

Filed by Quezon City Fifth District Rep. PM Vargas, House Bill 3771, or the Autism Assistance Act, proposes grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local service providers to fund programs such as Teach the Teachers—a specialized initiative to train health and education professionals in biomedical interventions, nutritional impacts on behavior, and speech therapies.

“Every Filipino deserves to be treated and served well, much more those who need our support and protection,” Vargas said, emphasizing that autism remains a developmental disability not yet fully understood in the Philippines.

The bill also mandates the Department of Health to establish the Global Autism Assistance Program, aiming to fill gaps in current laws and provide continuous support for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Vargas cited estimates that 3 to 6 out of every 1,000 children have ASD, translating to roughly 200,000 Filipinos nationwide. He stressed that collaboration with NGOs and the private sector is crucial to ensure assistance reaches those who need it most.

If enacted, the program’s funding will be included in the annual budget of the Department of Health. The bill is currently pending in the House of Representatives.