Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9291 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was established in 1981 
to plan and implement research programs for infectious and tropical diseases. Initial 
facility of RITM included a laboratory wing and a 50-bed hospital for patients with 
infectious diseases requiring tertiary care. In 1984, RITM’s facilities were expanded to 
include a building for animal research and laboratory animal breeding. In 1989, the 
RITM Center for Training in Tropical Infectious Diseases was established for in-
country and third country training activities.  
In November 2000, the Biologicals Production Service (BPS) of the Department 
of Health (DOH) was formally merged with the RITM as a vaccine laboratory in the 
country. This gave rise to a more comprehensive and logical approach in the control of 
infectious and/or tropical diseases through research and biologicals production. 
In 2000, RITM was designated as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for 
dengue, influenza, enteroviruses, measles and other viral exanthems, polio, 
tuberculosis and other mycobacteria, bacterial enteric diseases, mycology, emerging 
diseases, malaria and other parasites. It is also the confirmatory testing laboratory of 
blood donor units for the National Voluntary Blood Services Program; the 
coordinating center for antimicrobial resistance surveillance; a provider of the 
National 
External 
Quality 
Assurance 
for 
Bacteriology, 
Parasitology 
and 
Mycobacteriology; and a WHO-recognized National Influenza Center. 
The recent onslaught of COVID-19 in the country showed three facts: first, that 
the country has a well-placed infectious disease response; second, the presence of the 
RITM facility only in Metro Manila; and third, the need to continuously improve our 
preparedness and response to infectious and communicable diseases which continue 
to evolve around the world.  
The third COVID-19 case was in Bohol. To date, all of the persons investigated 
for suspected COVID-19 infection in the province have tested negative for the disease. 
Though well-contained and well-managed, the lack of facility in the area was a 
challenge faced by our health officials. Testing, referrals and instructions had to be 
done and had to come from Manila. And this may not be the best option in urgent and 
extreme cases.  
September 22, 2023
3:53 pm


Thus, to improve response and management of such cases in the future, 
especially those that require immediate response and with due regard to the sensitivity 
of the cases, the establishment of RITM facilities in other parts of the country is an 
imperative. And in the Visayas, we propose that the RITM be placed in Bohol.  
Having an RITM facility in Bohol would greatly ease and expedite processes 
especially in emergency cases not only in the province but the whole Visayas region. It 
will ensure the presence of facilities in terms of laboratories and hospital care in the 
Visayas. It will ensure the presence of trained personnel specifically in handling 
infectious diseases and special health cases. Ultimately, it will ensure the best 
response, referral and handling of such heath concerns within the specialization of an 
RITM facility.  
COVID-19 will not be the last health threat that we will face as a nation. With 
the seamless world now, in terms of travel, we will always be vulnerable to contagious 
diseases. Preparing, thus, is our best defense. 
In view of the foregoing, the passing of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  9291 
Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO 
First District, Bohol 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL 
MEDICINE (RITM) FOR VISAYAS TO BE LOCATED IN THE PROVINCE 
OF BOHOL AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of the people. Towards this end, the State 
shall promote and advance the country’s complete development in the field of health 
and research. 
SEC. 2. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for 
Visayas. – There shall be established, under the supervision of the Department of 
Health (DOH), a Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for Visayas to be 
located at the Province of Bohol.  
The said institute to be known as RITM–Visayas shall be constituent specialty 
hospital of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and shall be 
administered by its existing Board of Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board. 
RITM-Visayas shall have a bed capacity of one hundred (100). 
SEC. 3. Powers and Functions. - RITM-Visayas shall maintain its two-fold 
primary functions of undertaking research in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment 
of tropical diseases of public health importance as well as producing vaccines for the 
control of vaccine-preventable diseases.  
In general, the functions of RITM-Visayas shall be as follows: 
1.
Provide high quality tertiary care to both in-patients and out-
patients suffering from tropical diseases included within the scope
of the Institute’s research activities;
2.
Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control and
prevention of tropical diseases that are major causes of mortality
and morbidity in the Philippines;
3.
Develop 
cost 
effective 
strategies 
for 
the 
control 
of
infectious/tropical diseases;


4. Conduct clinical trials according to accepted Good Clinical Practice 
(GCP) guidelines, aimed at better understanding and control of 
tropical diseases; 
5. Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical 
personnel in the control of common tropical diseases in the country; 
6. Participate in the technical cooperation programs with foreign 
government in research activities in the diagnosis, control and 
prevention of tropical diseases; 
7. Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of 
funds, equipment, materials and services, in accordance with law, 
needed for the attainment of its objectives; 
8. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Department 
of Health or as may be provided by law consistent with the purposes 
of the Institute. 
 
SEC. 4. Medical Director. –  The RITM-Visayas shall be headed by a 
Medical Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health upon the 
recommendation of the Board and who shall be responsible for the implementation of 
policies and the immediate management of the programs and operations of the 
Institute. The Medical Director shall be assisted by one Assistant Medical Director. 
 
 
SEC. 5. Organization and Staffing Pattern. – The organizational 
structure and staffing patter of the RITM-Visayas shall be determined by the Board in 
accordance with existing rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission and the 
Organization, Position Classification and Compensation Bureau of the Department of 
Budget ad Management. 
 
 
In accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations, the Board may 
reorganize the structure, modify the staffing pattern and create and abolish divisions, 
sections on units in the RITM-Visayas. 
 
 
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – the Secretary of Health 
and the Board of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) shall 
promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the provisions of this 
Act. 
 
 
SEC. 7. Appropriations. – The amount of two billion pesos (Php 
2,000,000,000.00) out of the National Treasury, not otherwise appropriated is 
hereby appropriated for the establishment, initial operation and maintenance of the 
RITM-Visayas. Thereafter, such amount necessary for its continued operation of the 
RITM-Visayas shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, executive 
issuances or letters of instruction, rules and regulations or any part thereof 
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed, 
amended or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason or reasons, any part or 
parts of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by any competent court, 
other parts of this Act shall be thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
 


SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.  
 
 
 
Approved,