In observance of World Autism Awareness Day on April 1, Quezon City 5th District Representative Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas has filed House Bill 3771, also known as the “Autism Assistance Act,” aiming to establish a comprehensive support system for Filipinos diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly children.

The proposed legislation seeks to address gaps in healthcare and education, as many families continue to face financial and informational challenges in caring for individuals with autism.

Under the bill, the Department of Health would be tasked with creating the Global Autism Assistance Program, which includes funding for non-governmental organizations and local service providers to implement advocacy and support initiatives.

The bill also mandates training programs for healthcare and education professionals in provincial areas, covering the latest biomedical interventions, nutritional impacts on behavior, and speech therapy techniques.

Representative Vargas emphasized that autism remains a developmental disability not yet fully understood in the Philippines and that the government has a duty to ensure families facing the condition are not left to struggle alone.

If passed, House Bill 3771 would mark a significant step toward improving accessibility, awareness, and evidence-based interventions for the autism community nationwide.