Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Art. II, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “The State shall 
protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them.” 
One of the priority bills of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his 2022 State of 
the Nation Address (SONA) is the "Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act." 
This bill will create the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines 
(VIP) as an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 
All offices and units under the DOST with functions related to virology shall now be 
transferred to the Virology Institute of the Philippines 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common 
good of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City
August 31, 2022
8:54 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Virology Institute of the Philippines 
(VIP) Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right to 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State recognizes that 
science and technology are essential for national development and progress. To this end, the 
State shall formulate and implement policies that shall address current health issues, such as 
the quality and adequacy of health and medical human resources, health institutions, and 
delivery of health services, and shall give priority to research, the development, and promotion 
of innovations in both technology and services, the use of safe and indigenous health-promoting 
practices, and their appropriating utilization by the health sector. In this regard, the State shall 
prioritize the establishment of an institute that will conduct in-depth studies on viruses and their 
potential disease-causing agents that affect people, plants, and animals, to provide the scientific 
bases for the treatment of viral diseases, and for the formulation of policies that shall prevent 
the transmission of these diseases within the community and national context. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. — This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall focus on the 
following key development areas for virology science and technology applications in plants, 
animals, and humans: 
(a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and
its application or biotechnology; 
(b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
(c) International cooperation and network of databases and virus infections;
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(d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus reference laboratory to 
focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease prevention and epidemiological 
studies; and  
(e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of highly infectious 
and highly pathogenic viruses. 
 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. —As used in this Act: 
(a) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, usually causing 
their disintegration or dissolution; 
(b) Biosafety refers to a condition in which the probability of harm, injury, and damage resulting 
from the intentional and unintentional introduction or use of a regulated article is within 
acceptable and manageable levels; 
(c) Biosecurity refers to the strategic and integrated approach to analyzing and managing 
relevant risks to plant, animal, and human life, and health and associated risks for the 
environment. It is based on recognition of the critical linkages between sectors and the potential 
for hazards to move within and between sectors, with system-wide consequences; 
(d) Diagnostics refer to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis for plants, 
animals, and humans; 
(e) Therapeutics refer to anti-viral, bacteriophages, nanotechnology treatment approach, 
nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the treatments of viral diseases and 
infections of plants, animals, and humans; 
(f) Vaccine refers to a product that induces or stimulates active acquired immunity by producing 
antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps the body’s immune system to recognize and 
fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria; and (g) Virology refers to the scientific discipline 
concerned with the study of the biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and 
human medical importance and pandemic potential, including the distribution, pathogenicity, 
viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, ecology, 
tropism, spillover and interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical 
aspects of viruses. 
SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the The Philippines. —
The Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created and 
shall be an attached agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for 
purposes of policy and program coordination to ensure alignment in national policies and 
priorities. 
 
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the field of virology, 
encompassing all kinds of viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals, and humans. It shall be 
a venue for scientists, research institutes, and other organizations in the Philippines and abroad, 
to work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental 
importance. 
 
SEC. 6. Mandate. — The VIP shall implement policies, plans, programs, and projects for the 
development of virology science and technology in the country and the promotion of scientific 
and technological activities for both the public and private sectors. It shall ensure that the results 
of these activities are properly applied towards self-reliance and utilized to accelerate economic 
and social development towards the protection of the citizens and resources. 


 
SEC. 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. —To accomplish its mandate, the VIP shall have the 
following powers, functions, and duties: 
 
(a) Serve as the lead convener in the formulation of the National Virology Research Agenda, in 
consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that will encompass research involving viruses of 
plants, animals, and humans; 
(b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development in the field of virology; 
(c) Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, and 
vaccines in cooperation with the private sector and concerned government agencies; 
(d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and developments 
in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and 
academies; 
(e) Promote, advocate and oversee virology research ethics, biosafety, and biosecurity; 
(f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and technology 
for use by both the public and private sectors; 
(g) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs for strengthening 
scientific and technological capabilities in virology and relevant disciplines through human 
resource development, infrastructure, and institution building; 
(h) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related studies on 
virology; 
(i) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology; 
(j) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and technology; and 
(k) Establish linkages with local and international partners. 
 
SEC. 8. Organizational Structure. —The VIP shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Deputy 
Directories for Research and Development, and Support, Policy, and Linkages. 
 
The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions: 
 
1. Virus Research 
 
2. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research 
3. Vaccines Research 
4. Technical Services and Training 
 
5. Policy, Planning, and Linkages 
6. Finance and Administration. 
 
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations of the Virus 
Research, Diagnostics, Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines Research Divisions. The Deputy 
Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall oversee the operations of the Technical 
Services and Training, Policy, Planning, and Linkages, and Finance and Administration 
Divisions. 
 
The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. The consultants 
may come from the public and private sectors on a consultancy or contractual basis and shall 
be granted honoraria or allowances by existing rules and regulations. 


 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the VIP shall 
determine its organizational structure, and create new divisions or units as it may deem 
necessary, and appoint its officers and employees. 
 
For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM, determine the necessary position 
qualifications and standards for its personnel following civil service laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
SEC. 9. Qualifications of the VIP Director and Deputy Directors. — Upon the recommendation 
of the Governing Board, the President of the Philippines shall appoint the Director of the VIP 
who must possess a bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology and a postgraduate degree 
in virology, and should have at least three (3) year's experiences in the field of diagnostic 
virology. The Director of the VIP shall have the rank of Director IV, Salary Grade (SG)-28, and 
shall exercise overall responsibility over the activities of the VIP, including the supervision of VIP 
staff. The Director of the VIP shall report to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and 
the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology the results of the various 
diagnostics assays and research studies undertaken by the VIP. 
 
Each of the Deputy Directors of the VIP shall have a rank of Director Ill, SG-27, Each must 
possess a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology or a similar field and at least a Master's Degree 
in Virology. 
 
SEC, 10. The Governing Board. — The Governing Board shall be the policy-making body for 
the scientific and technological activities of the VIP, composed of the 
following: 
Chairperson: (a) Secretary of the DOST; 
Co-Chairpersons: 
(b) Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH); 
 
(c) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture; 
 
Members: 
(d) Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;  
(e) Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the DOST;  
(f) Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for International 
Economic Relations; 
(g) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);  
(h) Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM);  
(i) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); 
(j) Director of VIP; 
(k) Executive Director of the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health; 
(l) Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology; 
(m) Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines; and 
 
(n) Three (3) representatives from the Private Sector appointment by the President 
of the 
Philippines, as nominated by the Governing Board. These representatives shall have 


 
distinguished themselves in the fields of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal 
virology, epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related disciplines. 
The VIP secretariat shall serve as the Secretariat to the Governing Board. 
 
SEC. 11. Transfer of Units, Offices, and Functions. — All offices and units under the DOST, 
system whose functions are related to virology shall be transferred to the VIP. All powers, 
functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment, and facilities of the DOST 
units or its division shall be transferred to the VIP. The DOST shall conduct an audit and 
inventory of assets, liabilities, and human resources of the transferred offices and units under 
the DOST system to the VIP. All transferred and new employees under the DOST System shall 
be subject to the qualification standards provided for in the laws, rules, and regulations of the 
Civil Service Commission. 
 
SEC. 12. Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. — The VIP may engage the 
services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who shall work together with the local scientists 
and experts, following the terms of reference and compensation structure by Republic Act No. 
11035, or the "Batik Scientist Program Act" and other existing laws. 
 
SEC. 13. International Cooperation. — The VIP shall establish strategically partnerships with 
the world's leading scientists, virology centers, and institutes, and conduct innovative and 
pioneering research that will advance the frontiers of virology in the country. It may enter into a 
memorandum of agreement or understanding with international partners, upon the approval of 
its Governing Board and in compliance with existing laws, rules, regulations, and issuances of 
the DFA. The DFA shall provide legal and other forms of assistance to the VIP. The Regional 
Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Philippines shall also be consulted upon 
approval of the Governing of the VIP. 
 
SEC. 14. Interdepartmental Cooperation. — The VIP shall collaborate with the DOH, 
Department of Finance, FDA, RITM, and other relevant government agencies, in accessing and 
mobilizing available information, reports, technical expertise, equipment, materials, and supplies 
as may be required to implement this Act. The scientific findings of the VIP shall be integrated 
into other plans relating to disease control and prevention and in plans of the Inter-Agency Task 
Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order No. 168 s. 2014 or its 
successor body, for the management of public health emergencies relating to infectious 
diseases. 
 
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPP). —The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the 
DOH, the Public-Private Partnership Center, and the DOST shall collaborate in seeking Private-
Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of new industries, products, and services where 
the VIP shall be the main research and development unit. 
 
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local government agencies 
in seeking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main research and development unit. 
 


 
SEC 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. —The DOST, in partnership with the DTI and the DOH 
shall jointly develop an industry roadmap for products and services that can be created, 
improved, or optimized by research from the VIP. As far as practicable, the industry roadmap 
shall include the use of local materials in the development of new products. The industry 
developed or established resulting from the VIP research shall be included in the national 
government’s priority for incentives. 
 
SEC. 17. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer and Research in the Academe, — The VIP shall 
promote the creation of hubs and programs for virology research and development in the 
academe, particularly in state universities and colleges (SUCs). Towards this end, the VIP shall 
assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses and programs, open internships and scholarships 
for qualified students of higher education institutions (HEIs), and collaborate with HEIS in the 
creation of virology research centers. The CHED shall collaborate with the DOST in the 
promotion of HEI-VIP partnerships. 
 
SEC. 18, Protection of VTP-developed Intellectual Property. — The Governing Board of the VIP 
shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by the VIP with full funding from Filipino 
taxpayers shall be protected by intellectual property laws by Republic Act No. 10055 or the 
"Technology Transfer Act of 2009” and other applicable laws. Any patent or property right award 
granted to the VIP shall be 2 held by and in the name of the Philippine Government. In the case 
of partnerships, where the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the Governing Board shall 
ensure that technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be co-attributed to the Philippine 
Government, with the corresponding intellectual protection. 
 
SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment, and Services. 
— The VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and services 
to be used by the VIP in its operation and administration, in the most expeditious manner, and 
adopt the most suitable or appropriate method of procurement that it deems fit based on its 
identified needs and requirements depending on the existing conditions and requirements that 
justify the use of a particular alternative modality provided for by Republic Act No. 9184 or the 
"Government Procurement Reform Act" and its 2016 Revised IRR. 
 
SEC. 20. Official Site of the VIP. —A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5) hectares 
under the administration of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) within the 
New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac Province shall be allocated exclusively for the VIP, its 
research facilities, and laboratories. The biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based on 
risk assessment standards and guidelines of the WHO for handling specific pathogens and the 
establishment of virology laboratories in developing counties. 
 
SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. — Qualified employees of the VIP shall be 
covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as "The Magna Carta for Scientists, 
Engineers, Researchers, and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government. " 
 
SEC. 22. Virology Research Fund. — All donations, contributions, grants, 
bequests or gifts in cash or in-kind, received by the VIP from various sources shall be 
placed into a fund, to be known as the Virology Research Fund and such donations shall 


 
be exempt from donor's tax: Provided, That, acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions and 
donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the approval of the President of the 
Philippines upon recommendations of the Secretary of DOST and the Secretary of CFA. 
 
SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts, Legacies, 
Endowments, and Contributions. — The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any 
public or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, 
contributions, or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties 
of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the VIP, which shall all be part of the special account 
in the general fund. 
 
SEC. 24. Tax Exemptions —Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and contributions 
used, directly, and exclusively for the VIP shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall 
be considered as an allowable deduction from gross income for purposes of computing the 
taxable income of the donor, by Sec. 34 (H)(2) (?) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 
1997, as amended. Likewise, such other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or 
personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from all taxes. 
 
SEC. 25. Annual Report. The VIP shall submit its annual report to the President and the 
Committees on Science and Technology in both House of Congress, not later than the 30th of 
March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The annual report shall provide a full 
and detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act and policy 
recommendations. 
 
SEC. 26. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. —There shall be a Joint Congressional 
Oversight Committee on the implementation of this Act, which shall be jointly chaired by the 
Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and House of 
Representatives. It shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Senate Committees of Health 
and Demography, and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, the Chairpersons of the 
Committees on Health and Agriculture and Food of the House of Representatives, and two (2) 
members from each House representing the minority who shall be appointed by the Senate of 
the President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 
SEC. 27. Appropriations. — The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be 
charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter, the 
funding 
of 
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. SECTION 28. Transitory 
Provisions. — 
 
(a) The functions and assets of the DOST units enumerated herein shall be transferred to the 
VIP within three (3) years without the need for conveyance and transfer of assignment. 
 
(b) To the greatest extent possible and by existing laws, all employees of the affected offices, 
agencies, and units shall be absorbed by the VIP. Personnel hired permanently and with 
appointments attested by the CSC who may be affected by the transition of DOST units to VIP, 


 
or who wit' not be absorbed in the new positions of the new staffing pattern of the different 
offices in the VIP, shall have the option 
to: 
1. Be transferred to other units or offices within the DOST by civil service law, rules, and 
regulations; or, 
2. Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as provided under R.A. 
No. 6656 and other relevant laws. 
(c) Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume positions in the VIP, 
subject to a competency evaluation and CSC regulations. 
(d) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred units to VIP shall be 
utilized solely for the grants' intended purposes for each of the affected units or offices. 
(e) Existing contracts arid agreements entered into by the affected offices with third parties 
before the enactment of this Act shall remain valid. 
 
SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —The DOST Secretary shall, in consultation 
with DBM, DOH, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government agencies, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within one hundred twenty (120) days from the 
effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 30. Separability Clause, —If a portion or a provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. —All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other 
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 32. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,