Republic of the Phili|>pines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTI.I CONGRESS
First Regular Session
Hoi`s:B-iiiNo.599l
Introduced by Representative Map-orie Ann "Maan" A. Teodoro
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish the Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute to act as
the national research and development agency for research, development and policy implementation
geared towards the study of virology in plants, animals and humans that may threaten the health of
Filipinos and economic growth of the country.
In 2020, the world was shook when a new and unresearched infectious disease emerged that
mostly affected every aspect of one's life - the Coronavirus Disease commonly known as COVID-19.
On  its  onset,  affected  individuals  experienced  flu-like  symptoms,  however,  unlike  the  flu,  life
threatening symptoms eventually manifested on the elderly, children and the immunocompromised.
Due to this virus, thousands of individuals perished, including our medical frontliners who dedicated
their lives to treating patients. In a span of 2 months,  the Department of `Health (DOH)  reported
4,735,622 confirmed COVID-19 -out of this number, 316,289 perished from the disease. Back then, there
was no existence yet of proper treatments, vaccines and medicines to fight the disease. All we knew
was  that  proper  wearing  of  face  masks,  frequent  handwashing  and  social  distancing  were  our
protection against it. Patients were isolated from their loved ones, and worse, bid their goodbyes from
the confines of their hospital rooms due to its contagion; some were not even given hospital rooms due
to the immeasurable ratio between patients and available hospital rooms.
Given the minimal information we had with the disease, the government asked everyone to
isolate themselves at home as part of their protocol to limit transmission and eventually eliminate it.
Business closed, transportation became limited, goods became scarce, people got stranded in areas far
from home, students were deprived of proper access to education, laborers lost their jobs, delivery of
social services became more difficult for the government and mental health problems increased in rate.
Everyone's lives altered and the world did not know yet what to do.
This spurred every country to research and develop possible vaccines against the disease. h
December 2020, the Pfizer vaccine was the first to be developed in the U.S. and receive its Emergency
Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  It showed 90% protection
against symptomatic infection, severe illness and death. Eventually, more vaccines got developed and
new researches became more available and accessible prompting our medical frontliner and facilities
to update their treatments.
Up to this date, we are still in the presence of the virus. Nevertheless, with the research done
by medical organizations and scientists, lives were saved. As of July 2022, a total of 158,195,420 vaccine
doses have already been administered, including booster shots. The vaccine became our additional


protection. While it is still possible to contract the virus even after getting vaccinated, it eliminated most
cases of severe infections.
It is believed that in 25 years, another infectious disease might materialize - a disease more
viral than COVID-19. We need to learn from this experience and ensure that our situation from 2020
would not be repeated. Proper research and development is immediately needed to protect everyone's
lives and interest. We must be more than prepared to fight and eliminate any threats that could again
devastate the country. As what we normally say, prevention is key, and in order to do that, rigorous
research is a must.
It is our job as representatives of the Filipinos to come up with a legislation towards this goal.
This is a re-filed bill from the 18th Congress. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, this bill is eamestly
sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTII CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOL`s;nB|,'.-.No.5991
Introduced by Representative Maljorie Ann '`Maan" A. Teodoro
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Rapresentatives Of the Philippines in Congress asserribled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "Virology Institute of the Philippines OVIP)
Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. Article 11 Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution declares it the policy of the
State to "protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them''. It is further the poliey of the State to complement with global standards in terms of medical
facilities, medical equipment, medical research, medical man power, and general development and
modemity in the medical field.
The  State  shall  likewise  prioritize  the  establishment  of  an  institution  geared  towards  research,
development and policy implementation as an act of prepardeness against health threats that may
affect, not only the health of the citizens, but the country's economic growth.
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 it's application
or biotechnology;
b)   Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics,
c)    htemational 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 vims high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of highly infectious
and highly pathogenic virus.
SEC. 4. Definition of TemLs. As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined:
a)    B¢cfcr..apJi¢ge refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, usually causing their
disinte gration or dissolution;
b)    B!.os¢/efty refers to the strategic and integrated approach to analyzing the 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;
c)    D!.ag77osfz.cs refer to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis for plants, animals,
and humaus;
d)    T7zerapewf!.cs  refer  to  anti-viral,  bacteriophages,  nanotechnology  treatment  approach,  nuclei
acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the treatment of viral diseases and infections
of plants, animals, and humans;
e)    V¢cc{.7®e 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
f)     V!.roJog]/ refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology of vimses and
viral  diseases  of  plant,  animal,  and  human  medical  importance  and  pandemic  potential,
includeing  the  distribution,  pathogehicity,  viral,  eytopathicity,  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 treated and shall be an attached
agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of poliey 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  aborad,  to work
collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, dinical, and environmental importance.
SEC.  6.  Mandate.  The  VIPA  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 serf-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 plants, 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)    Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and technology; and
j)     EstabHsh linkages with local and international partners.
SEC. 8. Organizational Structure. The VIP shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Deputy Directors
for Research and Development, and Support, Policy, and Linkages.
The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions:
a)     Virus Research
b)     Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
c)     Vaccines Research
d)    Technical services and Training
e)     Poliey, Plarming, and Linkages
f)     Finance and Administration
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations of the Virus Reseach,
Diagnostics and 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 consultaney or contractual basis, and shall be granted
honoraria or allowances in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the VIP shall determine
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 position
qualifications and standards for its personnel following civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
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) years experience 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 respousibihity
over the activities of the VIP, including the supervision 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 of the various diagnostic assays and research studies undertaken by the
VA.
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:


a)    Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH);
b)   Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
Members:
a)   Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
b)   Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the DOST;
c)    Undersecretary  of  the  Department  of  Foreign  Affairs  (DFA)  for  International  Economic
Relations;
d)   Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
e)    Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine (RITM);
f)    Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
g)    Director of VIP;
h)   Executive Director of the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health;
i)     Representative from the National Academy of science and Technology;
j)     Representative from the National Research council of the philippines; and
k)   Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the President of the Philippines,
as  nominated  by  the  Governing  Board.  These  representtives  shall  have  distinguished
themselves  in  the  fields  of  medical  virology,  genomics,  plant  virology,  animal  virology,
epidemioligy, genetic enginerring 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 which
functions are related to virology shall be transferred to the VIP.
Au 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,
followingthetermsofreferenceandcompensationstructureinaccordancewithRepublicActNo.11035
or the ``Balik Scientist Program Act" and other existing laws.
SEC. 13. International Cooperation. The VIP shall establish strategic partnerships with the world's
leading scientists, virology centers and institutes, and conduct irmovative and pioneering researches
thatwilladvancethefrontiersofvirologyinthecountry.Itmayenterintoamemorandumofagreement
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.
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 hdustry (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 indude 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  govemment'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 intemships, and scholarships for qualified students of higher
education institutions (HEls), 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
ensurethatalltechnologiesdevelopedexclusivelybytheVIPwithfullfundingfromFilipinotaxpayers
shall 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 patent or property right award
granted to the VIP shall be held by and in the name of the Phinppine Government. h 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 experditious 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 ``Govemment Procurement 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 under the
administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) within the New dark
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 countries.
SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magma Carta Benefits. Qualified employees of the VIP 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" .


SEC. 22. Virology Research Fund. All donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or gifts, in case 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:  ProzJ!.dcd,  That acceptance of
grants,  bequests,  contriburions,  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 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
actually, directly and exdusively 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 National lnternal 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 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 inplementation of this Act and poficy 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, ad 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 President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 27. Appropriations. The initial amount for the implementation of this Act shall be charged agains
the ourrent 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 assignments.
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
laws, 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 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. Im|)lementing 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  any  portion  or  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. The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the O#.c[.¢J Gflzeffe
or in a newspaper if general circulation.
Approved,