Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative CARLITO "Lito" S. MARQUEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines 
(VIP) attached to the Department of Science and Technology which shall serve as the 
premier center for research and development primarily for virology science and 
vaccines.   
Our experience in the last two years showed that no state has had been spared 
from the ill effects caused by the pandemic. Generally, the outbreak has disrupted the 
day-to-day operations across all sectors in the society. It casted upon great uncertainty 
and anxiety toward our people.  In the Asia Pacific Region, the Philippines was among 
the hardest hit, but nonetheless has started to bounce back toward recovery.  We could 
not deny, however, that the ongoing outbreak has presented many issues and concerns 
relating to public health, including our clinical healthcare capacity and socio-
economic ability to respond to the crisis. It is, after all, a crisis that's truly 
unprecedented. We even had little to no knowledge about the virus that ravaged the 
lives of many. It has left most countries unprepared in ensuring the safety and 
protection of the people. 
The 
President 
himself 
during 
his 
first 
State-of-the-Nation 
Address 
acknowledged the need of creating an institute of virology in the country. With this, 
he asked the Houses of Congress to legislate the much-needed research and 
development institute that would conduct empirical studies to advance the field of 
diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines against viruses. This would generally provide 
necessary support to our national policy on public health, science and technology.  
We take note that the ASEAN region has become the hotspot to many viral 
outbreaks. It is important to have our own state-of-the-art research center dedicated 
for virology. This would make our country become self-reliant and self-sufficient in 
August 9, 2022
2:07 pm
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- 2 - 
the knowledge generation on viruses and in the development of vaccines. Through the 
VIP,  we would no longer need to rely on our international counterparts for us to 
procure the vaccines and to understand the molecular and genetic processes of 
emerging viral pathogens as well as the potential risks that these viruses may bring. 
The transmission, ecology, clinical virology, pathogenesis, and natural history of 
diseases would be studied by our pool of highly skilled experts and facilities from this 
proposed VIP. Its creation would drastically increase our pandemic readiness across 
the region.  
 
Viruses and other potential agents evolve and will continue to be a constant 
threat in the future. Through research, we would be able to immediately address and 
forecast future outbreaks in our country, even those affecting our animals and crops. 
Research on plant and animal diseases such as the African Swine Fever (ASF) among 
hogs, and viroids affecting our local produce would help the agricultural sector 
address and cushion the negative impacts on food security and production.    
 
In particular, the VIP will focus on the following key development areas: 
a. Research on viruses among modern approach such as molecular biology 
and its application or biotechnology; 
b. Development of diagnostics, vaccine, and therapeutics (molecular 
biotechnology); 
c. 
International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections; 
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.  
 
These, and the current health crisis and future emerging health threats, are 
concerns that can be properly addressed by research and development. It is time that 
we invest on it for the protection  and preservation of our Filipino people. 
 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
     ENGR. CARLITO "Lito" S. MARQUEZ 
 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Representative CARLITO "Lito" S. MARQUEZ 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Virology and 
1 
Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act of 2022.” 
2 
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State: 
4 
5 
a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
6 
health consciousness among them;
7 
b) To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and
8 
research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems;
9 
c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national
10 
development and progress;
11 
d) To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation,
12 
and their utilization; and
13 
e) To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
14 
technological capabilities, and their application to the country's
15 
productive systems and national life.
16 
To this end, the State shall give high priority to the establishment of an 
17 
institute that will conduct research and development activities and in-depth 
18 
studies on the viruses affecting the lives of its people and resources, such as 
19 
plants and animals, is vital for the protection of the health of its people and the 
20 
preservation of the national life. 
21 
22 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that 
23 
shall focus on the following key development areas for virology science and 
24 
technology applications in plants, animals, and humans: 
 
25 
a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular
26 
biology and its application or biotechnology;
27 
28 
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics (Molecular
29 
Biotechnology);
30 
31 
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- 4 - 
c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus 
1 
infections; 
2 
 
3 
d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus 
4 
referencelaboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines 
5 
for disease prevention and epidemiological studies; and, 
6 
 
7 
e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the 
8 
study of highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
11 
 
12 
a) Virology refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of 
13 
the biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human 
14 
of medical importance and pandemic potential including the 
15 
distribution, 
pathogenicity, 
viral 
cytopathicity, 
biochemistry, 
16 
physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, ecology, tropism, 
17 
spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical aspects 
18 
of viruses; 
19 
 
20 
b) Diagnostics refers to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral 
21 
diagnosis for plants, animals and humans; 
22 
 
23 
c) Therapeutics refers to anti-viral, bacteriophages, nanotechnology 
24 
treatmentapproach, nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, 
25 
drugs for the treatment of viral diseases and infections of plants, 
26 
animals and humans; 
27 
 
28 
d) Vaccines refer to products that induce or stimulate active acquired 
29 
immunity by producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It 
30 
helps the body’s immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like 
31 
viruses or bacteria; 
32 
 
33 
e) Biosafety refers to a condition in which the probability of harm, injury 
34 
and damage resulting from the intentional and unintentional 
35 
introduction and/or use of aregulated article is within acceptable and 
36 
manageable levels; 
37 
 
38 
f) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific 
39 
bacteria, usually causing their disintegration or dissolution; 
40 
 
41 
g) Biosecurity refers to a strategic and integrated approach to analyzing 
42 
and managing relevant risks to plant, animal and human life and 
43 
health and associated risks for the environment. It is based on 
44 
recognition of the critical linkages between sectors and the potential 
45 
for hazards to move within and between sectors, with system-wide 
46 
consequences; 
47 
 
48 
SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the 
49 
Philippines (VIP). -  The Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines 
50 
(VIP).is hereby created, which shall be an attached agency under the 
51 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and 
52 
program coordination to ensure alignment with national policies and priorities. 
53 


 
- 5 - 
 
1 
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in 
2 
the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in 
3 
plants, animals and humans.  It shall be a venue for scientists, research 
4 
institutes and other organizations here in the Philippines and abroad, to work 
5 
collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and 
6 
environmental importance. 
7 
 
8 
SEC. 6.  Powers, Functions, and Duties. - To accomplish its 
9 
mandate, the VIP shall have the following powers, functions, and duties: 
10 
 
11 
a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National 
12 
Virology Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned 
13 
stakeholders, that will encompass researches involving viruses of 
14 
plant, animal, and human importance. 
15 
 
16 
b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development 
17 
(R&D) in the field of virology. 
18 
 
19 
c) Conduct product research and development (R&D) in the areas of 
20 
but not limited to diagnostics, therapeuticsand vaccines. 
21 
 
22 
d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific 
23 
research and development to concerned government agencies, 
24 
industry, and academe. 
25 
 
26 
e) Promote and advocate virology research ethics, biosafety, and 
27 
biosecurity. 
28 
 
29 
f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science 
30 
and technology for use by both the public and private sectors. 
31 
 
32 
f) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, 
33 
programs for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities 
34 
in virology and relevant disciplines through human resource 
35 
development, infrastructure, and institution building. 
36 
 
37 
g) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other 
38 
related studies on virology. 
39 
 
40 
h) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology. 
41 
 
42 
i) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science 
43 
and technology. 
44 
 
45 
j) Establish linkages with local and international partners. 
46 
 
47 
SEC. 7.  Organizational Structure. - The VIP shall be headed by a 
48 
Director-General and two (2) Deputy Directors-General, one (1) for 
49 
Research and Development, and one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages. The 
50 
VIP shall be composed of the following divisions: 
51 
a) Virus Research 
52 
b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research 
53 
c) Vaccines Research 
54 
d) Technical Services and Training 
55 


 
- 6 - 
e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages 
1 
f) Finance and Administration 
2 
 
3 
The Deputy Director-General for Research and Development shall 
4 
head the Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines 
5 
Research Divisions. The Deputy Director-General for Support, Policy, and 
6 
Linkages shall head the Technical Services and Training, Policy, Planning, and 
7 
Linkages, and Finance and Administration Divisions. 
8 
 
9 
The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and 
10 
consultants. The consultants may come from the public and private sectors on 
11 
a consultancy or contractual basis, and shall be granted honoraria or 
12 
allowances in accordance with existing rules and regulations. 
13 
 
14 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management 
15 
(DBM), the VIP shall determine its organizational structure, create new 
16 
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and 
17 
employees. 
18 
 
19 
For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM, determine 
20 
the necessary position qualifications and standards for its personnel following 
21 
civil service laws, rules, and regulations. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 8. Qualifications of the VIP Director-General and Deputy 
24 
Directors-General. The VIP Director-General and the Deputy Directors-
25 
General shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the 
26 
recommendation of theDOST Secretary.  
27 
 
28 
The Director-General with a rank of an undersecretary shall be a 
29 
qualified expert possessing at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, 
30 
Microbiology and/or an allied discipline; preferably with a doctorate degree in 
31 
medical sciences and/or in virology-related discipline with three to five years of 
32 
experience in diagnostic virology. He shall have overall responsibility for the 
33 
activities including the supervision of all the staff working in the VIP. In 
34 
addition, he shall be directly responsible for reporting to the Secretary of 
35 
Science and Technology and the President of the Philippines the results of the 
36 
various diagnostic assays and research studies performed in the institute. 
37 
 
38 
Each of the Deputy Directors-General of the VIP shall have a rank of 
39 
assistant secretary. The Deputy Director-General shall possess at least the 
40 
educational background of the VIP Director-General. 
41 
 
42 
The Director-General and the Deputy Director-Generals shall be 
43 
appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on 
44 
Appointments for a term of seven years. Of those first appointed, the Director-
45 
General shall hold office for seven years, one Deputy Director-General for five 
46 
years, and the other Deputy Director-General for three years. Appointment to 
47 
any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of the 
48 
predecessor. 
49 
 
50 
SEC. 9.  The Governing Board.  - The Governing Board shall be the 
51 
highest policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the 
52 
VIP, composed of the following: 
53 
 
54 
a) The Secretary of the DOST, as Chairperson; 
55 


 
- 7 - 
 
1 
b) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), as Co-Chairperson; 
2 
 
3 
c) Secretary of Department of Agriculture (DA), as Co-Chairperson, 
4 
 
5 
d) The Secretary of Trade and Industry, as may be represented by an 
6 
Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy 
7 
 
8 
e) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, as may be 
9 
represented by an Undersecretary (DENR), as member; 
10 
 
11 
f) The Undersecretary for Research and Development of the DOST, as 
12 
member; 
13 
 
14 
g) The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as may be represented by the 
15 
Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, as member; 
16 
 
17 
h) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as 
18 
member; 
19 
 
20 
i) The Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine 
21 
(RITM), as member; 
22 
 
23 
j) The Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as 
24 
member; 
25 
 
26 
k) The Director-General of the VIP, as member; 
27 
 
28 
l) The Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National 
29 
Institute of Health (UP-NIH), as member; [and] 
30 
 
31 
m) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the 
32 
President of the Philippines, as nominated by the Governing Board. 
33 
These representatives shall have distinguished themselves in the field 
34 
of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal virology, 
35 
epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related disciplines. 
36 
 
37 
The private sector shall be represented by the following: 
38 
 
39 
i. 
an association of medical or allied-health professionals 
40 
ii. 
Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association or from a 
41 
recognized pharmaceutical industry 
42 
iii. 
An academic institution with research and development activities in 
43 
the field of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal 
44 
virology, epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related 
45 
disciplines 
46 
 
47 
The VIP shall serve as the Secretariat of the Governing Board with the 
48 
VIP Director acting concurrently as the Executive Director of the Secretariat. 
49 
 
50 


 
- 8 - 
SEC. 10.  Functions of the Governing Board.  The Governing 
1 
Board shall be the policy-making body for the scientific and technological 
2 
activities of the VIP. It shall: 
3 
 
4 
a) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the management and 
5 
operation of the VIP 
6 
 
7 
b) Collect fees, through its Secretariat, in connection with the exercise 
8 
of its regulatory powers 
9 
 
10 
c) Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of funds, 
11 
equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment of its 
12 
objectives; 
13 
 
14 
d) Provide grants, research fund, materials and equipment for the 
15 
conduct of virology researches by both public and private higher 
16 
education institutions; 
17 
 
18 
e) Establish an editorial office of a refereed journal of virology and a 
19 
library which shall collect and preserve books, journals and other 
20 
reference materials in the field of virology; and 
21 
 
22 
f) Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the DOST 
23 
Secretary. 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 11.  Compliance with Existing Government Regulations. 
26 
The VIP shall comply with the procedures, rules and regulations of other 
27 
Government Offices mandated to oversee the practice of virology and other 
28 
related disciplines as well as the operation of laboratories, clinics, diagnostics 
29 
and similar facilities; but not limited to the following: procurement of specimen, 
30 
supplies, materials, and equipment; handling, storage, the study of specimen, 
31 
and disposal of specimen, equipment and other forms of waste. 
32 
 
33 
The Department of Health (DOH) through the Health Facilities and 
34 
Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) shall establish guidelines and regulate 
35 
the operation of virology-related facilities to be assisted by the DA-Bureau of 
36 
Animal Industry, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, and other relevant stakeholders. 
37 
 
38 
The DOH-Health Human Resource Development Bureau shall establish 
39 
guidelines on the practice of virology profession in the country to be assisted by 
40 
the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its health-related 
41 
accredited professional organizations, together with the Commission on Higher 
42 
Education (CHED), Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Service 
43 
Commission, Bureau of Immigration, and other relevant government offices. 
44 
 
45 
The DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and 
46 
the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) shall ensure 
47 
compliance of the VIP and other virology facilities with regards to waste 
48 
disposal. 
49 
 
50 
Finally, research proposals prior to its undertaking within the VIP shall 
51 
be reviewed by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) or 
52 
through its accredited ethics review committees or entities. Processes and 
53 


 
- 9 - 
regulations of the Food and Drug Administration, Health Technology 
1 
Assessment Council and/or of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines 
2 
shall be strictly observed prior to commercialization of any drug, vaccine, 
3 
diagnostics, deviceand other similar products. 
4 
 
5 
An Inter-Agency Task Force may be created to monitor compliance of all 
6 
virology-related professions and facilities throughout the country to be headed 
7 
by the DOH-Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau. 
8 
 
9 
SEC. 11.  Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. 
10 
-The VIP may engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who 
11 
shall work together with the local scientists and experts, following the terms of 
12 
reference and compensation structure in accordance with Republic Act No. 
13 
11035 or the Balik Scientist Program Act and other existing laws. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 12. International Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish 
16 
strategic partnerships with the world’s leading scientists, virology centers and 
17 
institutes, and conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will advance 
18 
the frontiers of virology in the country. The VIP can enter into a memorandum 
19 
of agreement or understanding with international partners, upon the approval 
20 
of its Governing Board and in compliance with existing laws, rules, regulations 
21 
and issuances of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA shall 
22 
provide technical, legaland other forms of assistance to the VIP. 
23 
 
24 
The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 
25 
Philippines shall also be consulted upon approval of the Governing Board of 
26 
the VIP. 
27 
 
28 
SEC. 13. Interdepartmental Cooperation. - The VIP shall 
29 
collaborate with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Finance 
30 
(DOF), Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), RITM and other relevant 
31 
government agencies, in mobilizing resources such as but not limited to 
32 
research information, reports, technical expertise, equipment, materials and 
33 
supplies as may be required to implement this Act. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 14. Inter-Agency Contribution of the VIP. – The research 
36 
outputs of the VIP shall be integrated with the plans made by the Inter-Agency 
37 
Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order No. 
38 
168 s. 2014, or its successor body, for the management of public health 
39 
emergencies relating to infectious diseases. 
40 
 
41 
The research outputs of the VIP shall also be integrated into other plans 
42 
relating to disease control and prevention. 
43 
 
44 
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs). - The Department of 
45 
Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Health (DOH), Public-Private 
46 
Partnership (PPP) Center and the Department of Science and Technology 
47 
(DOST) shall collaborate in seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the 
48 
development of new industries, products and services where the VIP shall be 
49 
the main research and development unit. 
50 
 
51 
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local 
52 
government agencies in seeking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main research 
53 
and development unit 
54 
 
55 


 
- 10 - 
SEC. 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. - The DOST, in 
1 
partnership with the DOH-Health Promotion and Communication Service and 
2 
Disease Prevention and Control Bureau and Department of Trade and Industry 
3 
(DTI)-Board of Investments, shall jointly develop an industry roadmap for 
4 
products and services that can be created, improved, or optimized by research 
5 
from the VIP. As far as practicable, the industry roadmap shall include the use 
6 
of local materials in the development of new products. The industry that shall 
7 
be developed or established resulting from the VIP researches shall be included 
8 
in the national government’s priority industries for incentives. 
9 
 
10 
 
SEC. 17. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer and Research in the 
11 
Academe. - The VIP shall promote the creation of hubs and programs for 
12 
virology research anddevelopment in the academe, particularly in state 
13 
universities and colleges (SUCs). Towards this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in 
14 
the creation of virology courses and programs, open internships for qualified 
15 
students of higher education institutions (HEIs)and collaborate with HEIs in 
16 
the creation of virology research centers. 
17 
 
18 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall collaborate with the 
19 
DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP partnerships. 
20 
 
21 
SEC. 18. Protection of VIP-developed Intellectual Property. - 
22 
The Governing Board of the VIP shall ensure that all technologies developed 
23 
exclusively by the VIP with full funding from Filipino taxpayers shall be 
24 
protected by intellectual property laws in accordance with Republic Act No. 
25 
10055 or the Technology Transfer Act of 2009 and other applicable laws Any 
26 
patent grant or property right awarded or granted to the VIPshall be held by 
27 
and in the name of the Philippine Government. In the case of partnerships, 
28 
where the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the Governing Board shall 
29 
ensure that technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be co-attributed, 
30 
with the corresponding intellectual protections, to the Philippine Government. 
31 
 
32 
SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment 
33 
and Services. - The VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized 
34 
materials, equipment, and services to be used by the VIP in its operation and 
35 
administration, in the most expeditious manner, as exemptions from the 
36 
provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 or the “Government Procurement Reform 
37 
Act” and other relevant laws. 
38 
 
39 
Provided, that during public health emergency, the following shall be 
40 
observed: 
41 
 
42 
a) Less stringent procurement procedures allowing negotiated 
43 
procurement, higher caps on allowable down payment for 
44 
procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and services; 
45 
 
46 
b) Authority to the DOST Secretary to approve advance payment of 
47 
more than 15% for procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and 
48 
services, for faster facilitation; 
49 
 
50 
c) Simplified process for foreign procurement especially with 
51 
specialized equipment, reagents, and supplies not available in the 
52 
Philippines; 
53 
 
54 


 
- 11 - 
d) Exemption from customs duties and taxes for all VIP supplies and 
1 
equipment procured abroad; and, 
2 
 
3 
e) Exemption from taxes on income generated through training and 
4 
other delivery of services of VIP.”  
5 
 
6 
SEC. 20. Official Site of VIP. -  A lot with an area equivalent to at 
7 
least five (5) hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and 
8 
Development Authority (BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac 
9 
shall be allocated exclusively for the free use of for the Institute, its research 
10 
facilities, and laboratories. The biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based 
11 
on risk assessment for handling specific pathogens following the World Health 
12 
Organization (WHO) guidelines on the establishment of a virology laboratory 
13 
in developing countries. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits.  - Qualified 
16 
employees of the VIP shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise 
17 
known as “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other 
18 
Science and Technology Personnel in Government”. 
19 
 
20 
SEC. 22. Virology Research Fund. - There is hereby created a 
21 
Virology Research Fund to be used and administered by the VIP following 
22 
existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.  
23 
The Fund shall be sourced from the following: 
24 
 
25 
a) The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (P 2,000,000,000.00) to be 
26 
taken from the 
27 
 
28 
b) current fiscal year’s appropriation,  in case the General Appropriation 
29 
Act (GAA) was approved before this law is enacted. 
30 
 
31 
c) The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and 
32 
licensing agreements. 
33 
 
34 
d) Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether 
35 
from local or foreign sources. Provided, that acceptance of grants, 
36 
bequests, contributions, and donations from foreign governments shall 
37 
be subject to the approval of the President upon the recommendation of 
38 
the Secretary of the DOST and Secretary of the Department of Foreign 
39 
Affairs (DFA). The Secretary of DOST, with the approval of the NEDA 
40 
and subsequently, the Department of Finance (DOF), is hereby granted 
41 
the authority to enter into loan agreements with foreign financial 
42 
institutions. 
43 
 
44 
SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Receive Donations, Grants and 
45 
the Like. – The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public 
46 
or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, 
47 
endowments, contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or 
48 
possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the 
49 
benefit of the VIP, which shall be exempt from donor’s tax and shall all be part 
50 
of the special account in the general fund managed by the Department of 
51 
Finance. 
52 
 
53 


 
- 12 - 
The VIP shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use, 
1 
maintenance and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments, 
2 
contributions or transfers and the compliance of the terms and conditions 
3 
thereon, if any, in accordance with pertinent accounting and auditing laws, 
4 
rules and regulations. 
5 
 
6 
 
SEC. 24. Use of Income. - The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the 
7 
income generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants 
8 
for the upgrading if its physical and human resources, and for the 
9 
augmentation of its budget. 
10 
 
11 
 
SEC. 
25. 
Mandatory 
Adoption 
of 
Publicly 
Funded 
12 
Technologies.Mandatory adoption of publicly funded and generated 
13 
technologies developed by the VIP whenever feasible and practicable, shall 
14 
strictly be implemented by all government entities or instrumentalities All 
15 
national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned-and-controlled 
16 
corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local 
17 
government units (LGUs) performing science and technology development 
18 
projects shall adopt publicly-funded technologies. 
19 
 
20 
 
SEC. 26. Annual Report. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to 
21 
the President and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both 
22 
Chambers of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following 
23 
the effectivity of this Act. The annual report shall provide a full and detailed 
24 
account of the status of the implementation of this Act and policy 
25 
recommendations. 
26 
 
27 
 
SEC. 27. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – There 
28 
shall be a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of 
29 
this Act, which shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees 
30 
on Science and Technology of the Senate and House of Representatives. It shall 
31 
be composed of, as members, the Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on 
32 
Health and Demography and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, the 
33 
Chairpersons of the Committees on Health and Food and Agriculture of the 
34 
House of Representatives, and two others from each chamber of Congress to be 
35 
appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
36 
Representatives. 
37 
 
38 
SEC. 28. Appropriations. - The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php 
39 
2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial operation fund of the 
40 
VIP from the current fiscal year’s appropriation. Thereafter, the amount needed 
41 
for its operation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
42 
 
43 
SEC.29. Transitory Provisions. –Upon the establishment of the VIP, 
44 
the functions and assets of the concerned DOH units shall be transferred to the 
45 
VIP without need of conveyance, transfer of assignment. 
46 
 
47 
(a) For the year, during which this Act was approved, the unexpended portion 
48 
of the budget of the offices and units transferred shall be utilized for 
49 
establishing the VIP and initiating its operations, including the 
50 
formulation of the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation 
51 
of this Act. 
52 


 
- 13 - 
(b) To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all 
1 
employees of the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed by 
2 
the VIP.  Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with appointments 
3 
attested by the CSC who may be affected by the transition of DOST units 
4 
to VIP, or who will not be absorbed in the new positions of the new staffing 
5 
pattern of the different offices in the VIP, shall have the option to: 
6 
(1) Be transferred to other units/offices within the DOST without 
7 
reduction in pay; or 
8 
(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives 
9 
as provided by existing laws. 
10 
(c) Incumbent DOST officials and employees of affected DOST offices may 
11 
be considered as a VIP official or employee, subject to competency 
12 
evaluation and CSC regulations. 
13 
(d) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred 
14 
units to VIP shall be utilized solely for the grants’ intended purposes for 
15 
each of the affected units or offices. 
16 
(e) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices 
17 
with third parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid. 
18 
 
19 
SEC. 30. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOST 
20 
Secretary, in consultation with DBM, DOH, Civil Service Commission, and 
21 
other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
22 
regulations within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this 
23 
Act. 
24 
 
25 
SEC. 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act 
26 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in 
27 
full force and effect. 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and 
30 
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
31 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
32 
 
33 
SEC. 32. Effectivity.  - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
34 
its publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general 
35 
circulation in the Philippines. 
36 
 
 
 
Approved,