Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE:
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 282

Introduced by: Rep. Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

COVID-19 has caught the world unprepared. Spreading exponentially, it resulted in a
global pandemic as millions and millions of people contracted the disease. Since its first
‘occurrence, the virus has spread to all the continents of the world.

The ongoing outbreak presents many concerns, particularly on effective clinical and public
health management specially on novel viruses that cross the species barrier or what we call
zoonotic viruses.

The country is also faced with problems on a novel, emerging, reemerging, and enzootic
viruses affecting livestock, and plants. For instance, the African swine fever (ASF), one of the
most severe and highly contagious viral diseases of pigs, has become prevalent in many
provinces in the country.

While it has been said that ASF is not a risk to human health, it is considered by the global
veterinary society as one of the major threats to pig production, food security, and biodiversity in
the world

There is also a constant threat from some more important viruses that can potentially
cause a future pandemic from zoonotic viruses such as influenza virus which often crosses the
species barrier and mutates into a more deadly strain (swine flu, 1N1, HSN‘, etc) as the
Philippines is a tropical country and is a possible hotspot for zoonotic viruses jumping the species
barrier.

Equal attention should also be given to the viruses and viroids affecting many crops in the
country. Among the known virus diseases affecting Philippine crops are the rice tungro, papaya
ringspot, banana and abaca bunchy top, and tomato and squash mosaic and leaf curl, The
diseases cause substantial yield losses thus, creating negative impacts on food production and
food security

These are issues that can only be addressed using science and technology, specifically
through research and development (R&D)

It is therefore imperative that we establish a Research Institute that delves into the study
of viruses or the field of virology. The country needs diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of
the existing viruses; vaccines to provide long-term protection; treatments to save lives in the
shorter-term, and social science to understand their behavioral and societal implications.

Hence, this proposed measure, which was approved by the House and transmitted to the
Senate during the 18th Congress,

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

pre J a~
Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No, _ 28 2

Introduced by: Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan

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 tohealth of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State recognizes
that science and technology is essential for national development and progress.

To this end, the State shall formulate and implement policies that shall address current
healthissues, such as the quality and adequacy of health and medical human resources,
healthinstitutions, and delivery of health services, and shall give priority to research, the
developmentand promotion of innovations in both technology and services, the use of safe and
indigenous health-promoting practices, and their appropriate 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, in order 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 modem approach such as molecular biology and its
application or biotechnology;

(b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;

(c) International cooperation and network of databases of vims infections;

(4) Operation of a vims gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and vims reference
laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease prevention and
epidemiological studies; and

(e) Operation of a vims high containment laboratory dedicated to the’ study of highly
infectious and highly pathogenic vims.

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 treatment of viral diseases and
infections of plants, animals and humans;

(Vaccine refersto 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 concemed 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 or interspecies transmission,
evolution, and clinical aspects of viruses.

SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of 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 ofpolicy 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 for the formulation of the National Virology Research
Agenda, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that will encompass researches
involving viruses of plant, animal 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
development in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and the academe;

(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;
() 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)
DeputyDirectors 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.

The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations of the
VirusResearch, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines Research Divisions.
TheDeputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall oversee the operations of the
TechnicalServices and Training, Policy, Planning, and Linkages, and Finance and
AdministrationDivisions.

‘nance and Administration.

The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. The
consultantsmay come from the public and private sectors on a consultancy or contractual basis,
and shall begranted honoraria or allowances in accordance with existing rules and regulations.

Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the VIP
shalldetermine its organizational structure, 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
positionqualifications and standards for its personnel following civil service laws, rules, and
regulations.

SEC. 9. Qualifications of the VIP Director and Deputy Directors. - Upon
therecommendation of the Governing Board, the President of the Philippines shall appoint
theDirector of the VIP who mustpossess a bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology and
apostgraduate degree in virology, and should have at least three (3) years experience in the
fieldof 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
thesupervision over 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
ofthe various diagnostic 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 in 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 Medical Medicine (RITM);
(i) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);

(i) Director of VIP;

(k) Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health;
(I) 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 appointed 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
DOSTsystem which 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 in accordance
with Republic Act No. 11035 or the "Balik Scientist Program Act” and other existing laws.

SEC. 13. International Cooperation. - The VIPshall 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. 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 Board 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 in other plans relating to disease
control and prevention and in the 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 (PPPs). - The Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), the DOH,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 researches shall be included in the national
government's priority industries 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 HEls 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 VIP-developed Intellectual Property. - The Governing Board of
the VIP shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by the VIP with full funding from
Filipino tax payersshall be protected by intellectual property laws in accordance with Republic Act
No. 10055 or the "Technology Transfer Act of 2009" and other applicable laws. Any patentor
property right award granted to the VIP shall be held by and in the name of the
PhilippineGovernment. In the case of partnerships, where the VIP is a collaborating research
partner, theGoverning 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 méthod of procurement that it deems fit based on its identified needs
andrequirements depending on the existing conditions and requirements that justify the use of
aparticular alternative modality provided for by Republic Act No. 9184 or the
“GovernmentProcurement Reform Act” and its 2016 Revised IRR.

SEC. 20. Official Site of VIP. - A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5) hectares
underthe administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) within the
New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac Province shall be allocated exclusively for the VIP, its
researchfacilities, and laboratories. The biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based on
riskassessment standards and guidelines of the WHOfor handling specific pathogens and
theestablishment of virology laboratoriesin developing countries

SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. - Qualified employees of the VIP shail
be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as “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 the
recommendation of the Secretary of DOST and the Secretary of DFA.

SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts,
Legacies,Endowments, and Contributions.- The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive
from anypublic 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 inthe general fund.

SEC. 24. Tax Exemptions. - Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and
contributions used actually, directly and exclusively for the purpose of the VIP shall be exempt
from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from gross income for
purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with Sec. 34 (H)(2)(a) of
the Nationalinternal 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 to
the Committees on Science and Technology in both Houses 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
on Health and Demography, and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, the Chairpersons of the
Committees on Health and Agriculture and Foodof the House of Representatives, and two (2)
Membersfrom each House representing the minority who shall be appointed by the Senate
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.

SEC. 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 need of conveyance and transfer of assignment.

(b)To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all employees of
the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed by the VIP. Personnel hired on a
permanent basis and with appointments attested by the CSC who may be affected by the
transition of DOST units to VIP, or who will 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 in accordance with civil service
law, rules and regulations; or,

(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as provided under
R.A. No. 6856 and other relevant laws.

(c)Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume positions in
the VIP, subject to 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 and agreements entered into by the affected offices with third parties,
prior to 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
theeffectivity of this Act

SEC. 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid
orunconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other
issuancesor parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modifiedaccordingly

SEC. 32. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
theOfficial Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,