Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 3654

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2 District, Hocos Norte

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has caught the
world unprepared. Millions have contracted the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and
has become the first pandemic of this generation. The country has also been facing
problems on a novel, emerging, reemerging, and enzootic viruses affecting livestock
and plants. The African swine fever (ASF), one of the most severe and highly
contagious viral diseases of pigs, has recently become prevalent in many provinces in
the country. It is a major threat to pig production, food security, and biodiversity in
the world.

With the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases there can be no
argument that humankind's best hope of preventing and treating these diseases comes
from a vigorous research enterprise’. Research and development (R&D) have
particularly helped in the discovery and production of vaccines against Polio, Hepatitis
A, Hepatitis B, Measles, and Influenza. R&D, particularly, in the fields of science and
technology are key factors in national development and progress. It is, therefore,
imperative that Congress finally support and strengthen R&D in the country.

As new pathogens continue to emerge, and existing non-viral pathogens become
resistant to common antibiotics, we are living at a time of great need for the discipline
of virology*. Virology is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology
of viruses and viral diseases, including the distribution, pathogenicity, viral
cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, ecology,
tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical aspects of
viruses.

This proposed measure seeks to establish a virology institute that shall focus on
research on viruses; development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
international cooperation and network of databases of virus infections; operation of
virus genome laboratory; and, operation of virus high containment laboratory
dedicated to the study of highly infectious and pathogenic viruses to ensure sustained
progress of the country.

* Imperiale, MJ. and Casadevail, A. (March/April 2015) The Importance of Virology at a Time of Great Need and Great
Jeopardy. Retrieved from https://mbio.asm.org/content/6/2/e00236-15 on May 29, 2020
* tid,

¢



The establishment of an institute that will conduct an in-depth study on the
viruses affecting the lives of the people and resources is vital for the protection of the
health of the people and the preservation of the national life.

In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

ANGE! .COS BARBA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 369.4

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2" District, Ilocos Norte

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE 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 Institute of
the Philippines (VIP) Act”.

SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State:

a. To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them;

b. To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research,
responsive to the country's health needs and problems;

©. To recognize that science and technology are essential for national development
and progress;

4. To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and

e. To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological
capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems and
national life.

To this end, it is recognized that the establishment of an institute that will conduct
research and development activities or an in-depth study on the viruses affecting the
lives of the people and resources is vital for the protection of the health of the people
and the preservation of the national life.

SECTION 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 to ensure the State’s sustained progress:


a. Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and its
application or biotechnology;

b. Development of diagnostics, vaccines, 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.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall
mean:

a. Virology — is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology of
viruses and viral diseases, including the distribution, pathogenicity, viral
cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology,
ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical
aspects of viruses.

b. Diagnostics — relates to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis
for humans, animals, and plants.

c. Therapeutics - anti-viral, nanotechnology treatment approach, nucleic
acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the treatment of viral diseases
and infections for humans, animals, and plants.

d. Vaccines — are products that induce or stimulate 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.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the
Philippines. — To carry out the provisions of this Act, there is hereby created a
research and development institute under the Department of Science and Technology
called the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).

The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the field
of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, and
animals. It shall act as a venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to work
collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental
importance.

The Institute shall establish strategic partnerships with the world’s leading
scientists, virology centers, and institutes and conduct innovative and pioneering
researches that will advance the frontiers of virology in the country.


SECTION 6. Mandate. — The Institute 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, and 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 its resources.

SECTION 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 of the Virology research agenda as part of the
National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA);

b. Undertake scientific and technological research and development (R&D) in the
field of virology;

¢. Conduct product R&D in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines;

d. Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and
development to concerned government agencies, industry, and academe;

e. Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and
technology for use by both the public and private sectors;

f. 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;

g. Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related researches
on virology;

h. Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;

i, Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and
technology; and

j. Establish linkages with local and international partners.

SECTION 8. Organizational Structure. ~The VIP shall be an attached agency of
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and
program coordination, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities. It
shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Deputy Directors, one (1) for Research and
Development, and another one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages.

The VIP shall be composed of the Office of the Director, Office of the Deputy
Director for Research and Development, Office of the Deputy Director or Support,
Policy, and Linkages and the following divisions:

a. Virus Research
b. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research


c. Vaccines Research
d. Technical Services and Training
e. Policy, Planning, and Linkages
f. Finance and Administration

The Deputy Director for Research and Development shalll head the first three (3)
divisions while the Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall head the
next three (3) divisions.

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 shall appoint officers and employees of the VIP following the
civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

For this purpose, the Institute shall draw up the necessary position qualifications
and standards for its personnel following the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations,
in consultation with the DBM.

SECTION 9. The Governing Board. ~ The Governing Board shall be the
principal policy-making body for scientific and technological activities of the Institute.
It shall be composed of the following:

a. Chairperson, Secretary of DOST

b. Co-chairperson, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST

c. Members:

i. Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH)

Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture (DA)

Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Philippines (CDC

PHL)

iv. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Health Research &
Development (PCHRD)

v. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and
Natural Resources Research and Development ( )

vi. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging

Technology Research & Development (PCIEERD)

Director of Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute (VIP)

Director of University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health

(UP-NIH)

ix. Three (3) representatives from the Private Sector elected by the ex-officio
Board Members

SECTION 10. Transfer of offices and units. ~ All offices and units under the
DOST system that are handling matters related to virology shall be transferred to the
VIP.

The transfer of an office or unit shall include the functions, appropriations, funds,
records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and liabilities, if
any, of the transferred office or unit as well as the personnel thereof, as may be
necessary.


SECTION 11. Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. - The
institute may engage Balik Scientists and foreign experts following the terms of
reference and compensation structure of the Balik Scientist Program.

SECTION 12. International Cooperation. - The VIP may enter into a
memorandum of agreement or memorandum of understanding with international
partners, upon the approval of its Governing Board.

SECTION 13. Official Site of VIP. - A lot with an area equivalent to at least five
(5) hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development
Authority (BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac shall be allocated
exclusively for the Institute, its research facilities, and laboratories The biosafety
infrastructure shall be designed based on risk assessment for handling specific
pathogens following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the
establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries.

SECTION 14. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. - Qualified employees of
VIP and its attached units shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise
known as “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and
Technology Personnel in Government”.

SECTION 15. Annual Report. ~ The VIP shall submit to the President and the
Committee on Science and Technology in both Chambers of the Congress not later
than the 3oth of March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The report
shall provide a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act and
recommended legislation, where applicable and necessary.

SECTION 16. Virology Research Fund. - There is hereby created a Virology
Research Fund to be used exclusively for the implementation of the Virology Institute
Strategic Plan, which shall be administered by the VIP following, existing government
budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. The Fund shall be sourced
from the following:

a. The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (P 2,000,000,000.00) to be taken from
the current fiscal year’s appropriation, in case the General Appropriation Act
(GAA) was approved before this law is enacted;

b. The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and licensing
agreements; and

c. Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether from local
or foreign sources. Provided, that acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions,
and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the approval of the
President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST and
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Secretary of DOST,
with the approval of the NEDA and subsequently, the Department of Finance
(DOF), is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements with
foreign financial institutions.

SECTION 17. Use of Income. - The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the
income generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants for the


upgrading if its physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its budget,
in case of a shortfall.

SECTION 18. Appropriations. The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php
2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as an initial operating fund for the
operation of the Institute, taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriation.
Thereafter, the amount needed for its operation shall be included in the General
Appropriation Act.

SECTION 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within one hundred
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST in coordination with DBM,
Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 20. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Act that may
be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying the other
portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still
subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SECTION 21. 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.

SECTION 22, Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved,