Bacolod city: The Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) is considering an ordinance to establish an early identification and intervention program aimed at supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed ordinance will encompass developmental screening services, referral pathways, and intervention services specifically designed for children under the age of 18 residing in the city. The implementation of the program is planned through barangay health centers, public daycare centers, and public schools, in collaboration with private stakeholders, hospitals, and educational institutions.

During a floor deliberation, Councilor Mandrei Malabor emphasized that the program will prioritize initial screening or assessment, with subsequent interventions or referrals. "This will allow indigent parents in the city to have their children assessed. The most is they will have the knowledge on how to manage their children. We have gone around the city and there are a lot of parents, especially in informal areas, who are not aware of the conditions of their children," he stated.

Dr. Celina Gellada, one of the only two developmental pediatricians in Western Visayas, highlighted the importance of the initiative, describing it as "long overdue for children with developmental disorders." She stressed that early childhood is the most critical period for identifying children with developmental and behavioral disorders, which can significantly improve their outcomes, academic performance, and future employment opportunities.

The Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics lacks precise data, but 2023 statistics from the Center for Disease Control indicate that autism affects one in every 31 children under eight years of age.