REP DAZA FILES BILL ON AUTISM, CALLS FOR MORE PROTECTION AND INCLUSION

QUEZON CITY, 6 May 2026—Individuals andfamilies coping with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will expect stronger support and protection if HB 9131 is enacted. Titled, An Act Establishing a National Framework for the Rights, Care, and Integration of Persons with Autism, Creating the Inter-Agency Council on Autism, Instituting a National Autism Care Plan, And Providing Funds Therefor (or"National Autism Framework Act”), it was filed recently by Assistant Minority Leader Niko Raul S.J. Daza (Northern Samar, 1st District).

“It is estimated that there are 1.2 million Filipinos with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is about time that we enact a law that will allow more protection and inclusion not just in health and social services but also employment, community life, and rights protection,” said Daza.

If enacted, the law will establish an Inter-AgencyCouncil on Autism, which will be attached to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). This inter-agency body, comprising relevant government agencies and, critically, representatives from NGOs, autism self-advocates, and family organizations, will be tasked with policy-making, planning, and monitoring the implementation of a National Autism Care Plan (NACP).

“The proposed law is heavy on inclusion, rights, science, technology, and research. We see the importance of the academic and research community and the private sector in the success of its implementation. We didn’t want this to simply become another ‘council’. In fact, we’d like to describe it as a ‘hybrid council.’ Most of the work will still be undertaken by the member-organizations, as it should be. There’s also a sunset review because we predict and hope that the academic community and the private sector will be inspired to take on most of the work after six years, perhaps through the proposed National Autism Research and Innovation Hub,” the legislator added.

The programs and services under the NACP shall be comprehensive and include the following pillars: (a) information and public awareness; (b) health, research, and technology; (c) inclusive education; (d) employment, livelihood, and integrated community living; (e) rights protection and access to justice; (f) climate resilience and disaster response; (g) resource generation and public-private partnership; (h) Family Support and Social Welfare Services; (i) and Family Welfare and Labor Rights. 

“We strengthened the funding and fiscal provisions by proposing to create a dedicatedAutism Care Fund. This provides more ways to raise funds while allowing a grants facility for indigent families dealing with ASD. The proposed law also mandates agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment to develop policies and programs that will ensure opportunities for gainful employment, apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship for persons with autism,” Daza stressed.

Daza calls on the administration to consider this as a priority bill along with his proposed legislation, “Child Support Responsibility Act” (HB 21).

“At the heart of my legislative agenda is inclusion and social equity. Through the proposed National Autism Framework Act, agencies such as the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, will be mandated to develop and disseminate national guidelines for the accurate, respectful, responsible, inclusive, and destigmatizing portrayal of persons with autism in film, television, news media, and online content. Maiiwasan na po na ginagawang katatawanan ang mga kapwa natin na may ASD o iba bang kondisyon,” the Northern Samar solon added.

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[Image by Robin P at Unsplash]

REP NIKO DAZA RE-FILES BILL ON “BALASUBAS” PARENTS

QUEZON CITY, 9 July—Balasubas parents—siring or bearing a child is not something one can just leave behind. This is what a proposed legislation—first filed in the 19th and re-filed in the 20th Congress—wants prospective or current parents to remember.

Filed in the current Congress by Representative Niko Raul S. Daza (1st District, Northern Samar), the Child Support Responsibility Act (HB 21), was authored and first filed by his father, former representative and Senior Deputy Minority Leader, Paul R. Daza.

“It’s the first bill that I filed; I owe it not just to all affected children but also to my father who has always been a staunch advocate of children’s rights. Balasubas talagang matatawag ang mga magulang na nagpapabaya sa kanilang mga anak. These children did not choose to be born; it’s wrong to make them suffer when their parents decide to part ways,” said Niko Daza.

HB 21 aims to protect the interests of children in case of failed marriages or separation of couples. If enacted, withholding or stopping child support becomes a punishable offense. Specifically, once a child support order is issued, as mandated by the proposed law, child support payments shall be paid to the custodian-parent.

House Bill 21 aims to protect the interests of children in case of failed marriages or separation of couples. If enacted, withholding or stopping child support becomes a punishable offense.

“It’s about time we enact a law like this. Other countries already implement such a law. Absentee or deadbeat parents (who are, unfortunately, mostly men, based on statistics) must be reminded that bringing a child in this world is a sacred and legal responsibility. It’s not something that can simply be tossed aside when a parent or both parents decide to end their relationship,” the neophyte legislator added.

In the re-filing of said bill, Rep Niko Daza hopes that this will finally be enacted in this Congress. “In the 19th Congress, it went through 2nd reading already. I will really exert all efforts so that this will finally become a law in the 20th Congress,” the solon shared.

A study commissioned by the World Health Organization (2018) estimated that there are about 14 million household heads without a spouse. Around 95% of these individuals are women.

While the Philippines has laws to protect and help single parents under the Solo Parent Welfare Act (RA 8972), non-custodial balasubas parents who do not provide child support need to be compelled more strictly on their responsibilities.

Niko Daza explained that while RA 8972 provides special privileges like discounts, leave credits, and flexible work schedule for solo parents, “what is needed is actual money that can help unburden the custodian-parent.”

This proposed law will have more teeth than any other existing laws. Among its proposed mandates are:

1.     A minimum across-the-board amount of child support that all non-custodial parents must pay regardless of their income or lack thereof;

2.     Removal of gender as a factor in evaluating cases. Even mothers can be compelled to give child support if they abandoned their children in the custody of the father or any other substitute parent; and

3.     Integrating child support with issuance of government permits, licensing, and other documentary issuances of the government.

“Ever since this bill was filed in the previous Congress, marami na po kaming natanggap na tawag at katanungan mula sa mga custodian-parents, especially, mothers. We all know the sad stories…pagkatapos ma-anakan, parang ang daling takasan ang responsibilidad. It’s time to change these culture and behaviors,” Daza stressed.

In his first term, Rep Niko Daza will continue the advocacy and legislative efforts for health and social welfare of his father, Paul.

He calls on the administration to consider this as a priority bill. “It will also help the government’s agenda on responsible parenthood, teenage pregnancy, and similar issues. This is another deterrent for unplanned pregnancies,” Daza ended.

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[Images Kelly Sikkema and Clarence Pasion at Unsplash]