NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
' .f
24 DEC-5 P5 30
SENATE
S. No. 2893
(In Substitution of S.B. Nos. 196, 281, 489, 599, 941, 981, 1130, 1161, 1322, 1363, 
1818, 1890, and 1928, taking into consideration H.B. No. 6452)
Prepared by the Committee on Health with Senators Go, Estrada, Legarda, Zubiri, 
Gatchalian, Revilla Jr., M. Villar, Ejercito, Villanueva, Padilla, Tulfo, Lapid, C. Villar, A. 
Cayetano, and P. Cayetano as authors thereof
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COLLABORATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM ON VIROLOGY, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE 
VIROLOGY INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the " Virology Institute of
2 
the Philippines (VIP) Act".
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
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promote the right to health of the people, and instill health consciousness among
5 
them. The State also recognizes that science and technology are essential for national
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development and progress.
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To this end, the State shall adopt a One Health approach, recognizing the
8 
interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and their shared environment. The


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state shall formulate and implement policies to address One Health issues, prioritizing
2 
research and development, promoting innovations in both technology and services,
3 
ensuring the quality and adequacy of human resources, strengthening biosafety
4 
standards, and promoting the use and appropriate utilization of safe and indigenous
5 
practices.
6 
In this regard, the State shall prioritize the establishment of an institute to lead in-
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depth studies on pathogens and potential disease-causing agents affecting people,
8 
plants, animals, and the environment. This institute shall provide the scientific basis
9 
for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, as well as for the
10 
development of policy recommendations. It shall conduct research and development
11 
on disease-causing pathogens, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines,
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from discovery to the pre-clinical phase of development.
13 
SEC. 3. Objectives, - This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall
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focus on research and development to address pathogens and potential disease-
15 
causing agents affecting plants, animals, and humans. Its mandate shall include, but
16 
is not limited to, the following:
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a) Undertaking discovery programs in the field of virology and related disciplines,
18 
including molecular biology, bioinformatics, and other related fields of research;
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b) Conducting vaccine research from discovery to the pre-clinical phase of
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development;
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c) Conducting research and development of prototype diagnostics and
22 
therapeutics on viruses and other pathogens;
23 
d) Collaborating, coordinating, and disseminating evidence-based policies on
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virology and vaccine science to stakeholders;
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e) Establishing linkages with local and international networks through cooperation
26 
and collaboration with institutions engaged in virus and pathogen research and
27 
development;
28 
f) Training and engaging with experts for capacity building of virology and vaccine
29 
research;


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g) Investing on virology infrastructure, including high-containment facilities,
2 
biobanks, and genome laboratories, for the research of potential emerging and
3 
reemerging outbreaks;
4 
h) Providing technical assistance and laboratory use to support research
5 
communities;
6 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
7 
a) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, usually
8 
causing their disintegration or dissolution;
9 
b) Biosafety to containment principles, technologies, and practices that are
10 
implemented to prevent unintentional exposure to biological agents or their
11 
inadvertent release;
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c) Diagnostics refers to the development of tools such as medical devices,
13 
techniques, and procedures that are used for the identification of viruses and
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other pathogens that cause diseases in plants, animals, and humans;
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d) Discovery programs refer to the first stage of research focused on identifying
16 
and developing new vaccine candidates by exploring novel antigens, immune
17 
targets, and technologies to combat infectious diseases;
18 
a) Pathogen refers to any microorganism, such as but not limited to a virus,
19 
bacterium, fungus, or protozoan that can cause diseases in a host;
20 
e) Pre-ciinicai stage and/or phase refers to the stages of research and
21 
development that occur before a drug or vaccine is tested on humans, which
22 
aim to assess the safety, efficacy, and biological mechanism of a candidate
23 
drug or vaccine in controlled laboratory settings;
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f) Therapeutics refer to bacteriophages, nanotechnology treatment approach,
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nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, or drugs for the treatment of
26 
viral diseases and infections in plants, animals, and humans;
27 
g) Vaccine refers to a product that induces or stimulates active acquired immunity
28 
by producing antibodies for a specific infectious agent. It helps the body's
29 
immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria;
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h) Viroiogy refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the
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biology of viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals, and humans, with


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medical importance and pandemic potential, including the distribution,
2 
pathogenicity, viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology,
3 
biotechnology, ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission,
4 
evolution, and clinical aspects of viruses;
5 
i) One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach —
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working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of
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achieving interconnectedness among people, animals, plants, and their shared
8 
environment; and
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j) High-containment facilities refer to facilities that are necessary for carrying out
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research activities involving high-risk pathogens, such as Avian influenza and
11 
other hemorrhagic diseases that pose a serious public health burden
12 
SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology Institute of the Philippines. - The Virology
13 
Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created and shall be an attached agency of
14 
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and program
15 
coordination to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
16 
The VIP shall serve as the lead convenor for research and development in the field
17 
of virology, encompassing all kinds of viruses and other pathogens in plants, animals,
18 
and humans. It shall be a venue for scientists, researchers, government agencies,
19 
research institutes, and other organizations in the Philippines and abroad, to work
20 
collaboratively to study viruses and other pathogens of agricultural, industrial, clinical,
21 
and environmental importance.
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SEC. 6. Mandate. - The VIP, as lead convenor for research and development,
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shall implement policies, plans, programs, and projects for the development of virology
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in the country and the promotion of scientific and technological activities for both the
25 
public and private sectors. It shall ensure that the results of these activities are
26 
properly applied towards vaccine self-reliance and utilized to accelerate economic and
27 
social development towards the protection of the citizens and the country's resources.


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SEC. 7. Director and Deputy Directors. - The VIP shall be headed by a Director
2 
and assisted by two (2) Deputy Directors: one (1) for Research and Development, and
3 
one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages.
4 
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations
5 
of the Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, Vaccines Research,
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and Technical Services and Training for Virology. The Deputy Director for Support,
7 
Policy, and Linkages shall oversee the operations of the Policy, Pianning, Linkages,
8 
and Finance and Administration.
9 
Upon the recommendation of the VIP Board, as provided in Section 9 of this Act,
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the President of the Philippines shall appoint the Director who must possess a
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bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology or biology, a doctorate degree in virology
12 
or other related specialization, and should have at least five (5) years of experience in
13 
the field of virology. The Director shall have the rank of Director IV, Salary Grade (SG)-
14 
28, and shall exercise overall responsibility over the activities of the VIP. The Director
15 
shall report the results of research and development studies to the VIP Board and the
16 
President of the Philippines.
17 
The Deputy Directors shall have a rank of Director III, SG-27. The Deputy Director
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for Research and Development must possess a bachelor's degree in the field of
19 
microbiology or biology, at least a master's degree in virology or other related
20 
specialization, and should have at least three (3) years of experience in the field of
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virology; while the Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages must possess at
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least a master's degree relevant to the position.
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SEC. 8. Powers, Functions, and Duties. - Jo accomplish its mandate, the VIP
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shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
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a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National Virology
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Research Agenda, which will encompass researches involving viruses and other
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pathogens of plants, animals, and humans;
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b) Undertake research and development in the field of virology;


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c) Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics,
2 
therapeutics, and vaccines, in cooperation with concerned government
3 
agencies and the private sector;
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d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and
5 
development through collaboration with government agencies, industry, and
6 
the academe;
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e) Promote, advocate, and oversee virology research ethics, biosafety, and
8 
biosecurity;
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f) Develop and maintain information systems on virology science and technology
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for use by both the public and the private sectors;
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g) Develop and implement, together with concerned government agencies and
12 
the private sector, programs for strengthening scientific and technological
13 
capabilities in virology and relevant disciplines through human resource
14 
development, infrastructure, and institution and capability building;
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h) Undertake policy research and other policy-related studies on virology;
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i) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;
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j) Promote and advocate for national programs on virology science and
18 
technology;
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k) Establish linkages with local and international partners;
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I) Foster linkage and alignment with the private sector for public-private
21 
partnership, in accordance with existing laws and regulations;
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m) Establish joint research programs and share expertise and resources with the
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Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and other relevant institutions;
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n) Ensure seamless collaboration with RITM and other pertinent research bodies
25 
to delineate specific roles and responsibilities, ensuring that the research
26 
agenda is complementary rather than duplicative;
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o) Foster an environment of equity in research and development by prioritizing
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collaborative projects that advance scientific progress for the mutual benefit of
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all involved institutions; and
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p) Perform such other powers and functions such as, but not limited to, clinical
31 
research and clinical trials, as may be deemed necessary and incidental for the
32 
effective implementation of this Act.


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SEC. 9. The VIP Board. - There is hereby created a VIP Board that shall be the
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policymaking body for the scientific and technological activities of the VIP. The VIP
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Board shall be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology
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and co-chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Secretary
5 
of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The members shall be composed of the
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following:
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a) Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
8 
(DENR);
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b) Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA);
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c) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
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d) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
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e) Director of the RITM;
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f) Director of VIP;
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g) Executive Director of the University of the Philippines-National Institute of
15 
Health (UP-NIH);
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h) President of the National Academy of Science and Technology;
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i) Executive Director of the National Research Council of the Philippines; and
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j) Two (2) representatives from the private sector appointed by the President of
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the Philippines, as nominated by the VIP Board. They must be Filipino citizens
20 
with recognized competence in the fields of medical virology, genomics, plant
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virology, animal virology, epidemiology, genetic engineering, or other related
22 
disciplines.
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The chairperson, co-chairpersons, and members shall each designate a permanent
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representative in the Board, who must possess relevant experience. The permanent
25 
representative shall be duly authorized to act on his/her behalf or on behalf of his/her
26 
principal, in the principal's absence.
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The Chairperson of the VIP Board shall have voting rights in case of a tie.


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SEC. 10. Secretariat - There is hereby created a Secretariat to support the VIP
2 
in carrying out its functions. The VIP Board shall provide for the institutional setup,
3 
qualifications, and compensation of employees composing the Secretariat, in
4 
accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.
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SEC. 11. Salary, Staffing Pattern, and Qualifications. — Subject to the
6 
approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the VIP shall
7 
determine its organizational structure, create divisions or units as it may deem
8 
necessary, and appoint its officers and employees, in accordance with existing Civil
9 
Service Commission laws, rules and regulations.
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The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. The
11 
consultants may come from the public and the private sectors on a consultancy or
12 
contractual basis.
13 
SEC. 12. Inter-Agency Cooperation. - The VIP shall collaborate with the DOH,
14 
RITM, FDA, DA, DENR, DFA, CHED, UP-NIH, Department of Finance, and other
15 
relevant government agencies, in accessing and mobilizing available information,
16 
reports, technical expertise, equipment, materials, and supplies as may be required to
17 
implement this Act.
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The RITM shall retain its current functions and operate as an integral part of the
19 
VIP. It shall continue to provide expertise in the detection and identification of
20 
emerging infectious diseases and laboratory support. In line with its current mandate
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and in close collaboration with the VIP, the RITM shall conduct research, surveillance,
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and diagnostics for newly identified pathogens to formulate effective strategies for the
23 
prevention and control of emerging diseases.
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The scientific findings of the VIP, RITM, and other concerned agencies shall be
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integrated in the plans relating to disease control and prevention of the Inter-Agency
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Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order No. 168
27 
s. 2014, and the National Task Force to prevent the entry of animal-borne diseases.


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as created by Executive Director No. 105, s. 2020, or its successor body, for the
2 
management of public health emergencies reiating to infectious diseases.
3 
SEC. 13. Engagement of Batik Scientists and Foreign Experts. - The VIP
4 
may engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts, who shaii work
5 
together with local scientists and experts, following the terms of reference and
6 
compensation structure in accordance with Republic Act No. 11305 or the "Balik
1 Scientist Program Act' and other existing laws.
8 
SEC. 14. International Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish strategic
9 
partnerships with the world's leading scientists, virology centers and institutes,
10 
international organizations, and non-government organizations, and conduct
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innovative and pioneering research that will advance the frontiers of virology and
12 
vaccine research and development in the country. It may enter into a memorandum
13 
of agreement or understanding with international partners, including, but not limited
14 
to, the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Organization for Animal Health
15 
(WOAH), upon the approval of its VIP Board, and in compliance with existing laws,
16 
rules, regulations, and issuances of the DFA. The DFA shall provide legal and other
17 
forms of assistance related to international cooperation to the VIP.
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SEC. 15. Promotion of the Virology Industry. - The VIP, in partnership with
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the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall jointly develop an industry roadmap
20 
for products and services that can be created and improved by research from the VIP.
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This roadmap shall include an outline of how the research and deveiopment activities
22 
of the VIP will contribute to achieving vaccine self-reliance. As far as practicable, the
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industry roadmap shall include the use of local materials in the development of new
24 
products and services. The developed or established industry resulting from the VIP
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research shall be included in the national government's priority industries for
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incentives.


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SEC. 16. Private-Public Partnerships (PPP). - The VIP, DTI, and Public-
2 
Private Partnership Center shall collaborate in seeking Private-Public Partnerships
3 
(PPPs) for the development of new industries, products, and services.
4 
The VIP may also request the assistance of other national and local government
5 
agencies in seeking PPPs.
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SEC. 17. Promotion of Virology in the Academe. - The VIP shall assist State
7 
Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the creation of virology courses and programs, and
8 
in opening internships and scholarships for qualified students of higher education
9 
institutions (HEIs). It shall also collaborate with HEIs in the creation of virology
10 
research hubs and centers.
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SEC. 18. Protection of VlP-deveioped Intellectual Property. — The VIP
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Board shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by the VIP with full
13 
funding from Filipino taxpayers shall be protected by intellectual property laws, in
14 
accordance with Republic Act No. 10055 or the "Technology Transfer of 2009",
15 
Republic Act No. 8293 or the "Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines" and other
16 
applicable laws. Any patent or property right award granted to the VIP shall be held
17 
by and in the name of the Philippine Government. In the case of partnerships, where
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the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the VIP Board shall ensure that
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technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be co-owned by the Philippine
20 
Government, with the corresponding intellectual protection under existing laws.
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SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment, and Services.
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- The VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and
23 
services to be used in its operation and administration, in the most expeditious
24 
manner, and adopt the most suitable or appropriate mode of procurement that it
25 
deems fit based on its identified needs and requirements, depending on the existing
26 
conditions and requirements that justify the use of a particular modality provided by
27 
existing government procurement laws, rules and regulations.
10


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SEC. 20. Official Site of VIP. - A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5)
2 
hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
3 
(BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac Province shall be allocated
4 
exclusively for the VIP, its research facilities, and laboratories. The biosafety
5 
infrastructure shall be designed based on risk assessment standards and guidelines of
6 
the WHO and the WOAH for handling specific pathogens and the establishment of
7 
virology laboratories in developing countries.
8 
To safeguard the well-being and security of the human, plant, and animal
9 
populations within the VIP facilities area, the VIP shall coordinate with the Department
10 
of National Defense (DND) regarding the establishment and security of the said
11 
facilities.
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SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. - Qualified employees of the
13 
VIP shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439 otherwise known as the "Magna Carta
14 
for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technoiogy Personnei in
15 
Government," as amended, and other rules and regulations issued by appropriate
16 
government agencies.
17 
SEC. 22. Authority to Negotiate, Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts,
18 
Legacies, Endowments, and Contributions. - The VIP may negotiate with, and
19 
receive from any public or private domestic or foreign sources donations, grants, gifts,
20 
legacies, endowments, contributions, or other transfers of ownership and/or
21 
possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the
22 
VIP, which shall be released in a timely manner to address an existing or emerging
23 
public emergency, or consistent with the urgent nature of VIP mandate and functions,
24 
subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
25 
SEC. 23. Virology Research Fund. - All donations, grants, gifts, legacies,
26 
endowments, contributions, and bequests, in cash or in kind, received by the VIP from
27 
various sources, shall be placed into a fund, to be known as the Virology Research
28 
Fund, in accordance with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations.
11


1 
Provided that, acceptance of donations, grants, gifts, legacies, endowments,
2 
contributions, and bequests from foreign governments shall be subject to the approval
3 
of the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the VIP Board.
4 
SEC. 24. Tax Exemptions. - Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, and
5 
contributions used actually, directly, and exclusively for the purpose of the VIP shall
6 
be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction
7 
from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, in
8 
accordance with Sec. 34 (H)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as
9 
amended. Likewise, such other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or
10 
personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from all taxes.
11 
SEC. 25. Annual Report. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to the President
12 
and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both Houses of Congress, not
13 
later than the 30th of March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The
14 
annual report shall provide a full and detailed account of the status of the
15 
implementation of this Act and policy recommendations.
16 
SEC. 26. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
17 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations
18 
of the DOST. Thereafter, such amount needed for the continued implementation of
19 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
20 
SEC. 27. Transitory Provisions. -
21 
a) All offices and units under the DOST system whose functions are related to
22 
virology research programs shall be absorbed by the VIP and shall be
23 
transferred accordingly within three (3) years. It shall include all functions,
24 
assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment, and facilities of the
25 
concerned DOST offices and units. The DOST shall conduct an audit and
26 
inventory of assets, liabilities, and human resources of the transferred offices
27 
and units under the DOST system to the VIP.
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To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with Republic Act No. 
6656 or "An Act to Protect the Security Tenure of Civil Service Officers and 
Employees in the Implementation of Government Reorganization "and other 
existing laws, all employees of the affected offices 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 offices and 
units to the VIP, or who will not be absorbed in the new staffing pattern of the 
different offices and units in the VIP, shall have the option to:
1) Be transferred to other offices or units 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. 6656 and other relevant laws.
13 
b) Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume
14 
positions in the VIP, subject to competency evaluation and CSC regulations.
15 
All project-based personnel employees of the DOST doing virology related
16 
research and development shall be subject to the qualification standards
17 
provided for in the laws, rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
18 
c) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred offices and
19 
units to VIP shall be utilized solely for the grants' intended purposes for each
20 
of the affected offices and units.
21 
d) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices and units
22 
with third parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.
23 
SEC. 28. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
24 
from effectivity of this Act, the DOST Secretary, in consultation with DOH, RITM, DA,
25 
DBM, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government agencies, shall
26 
formulate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
27 
Failure to promulgate the rules and regulations of this Act shall not prevent the
28 
implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.
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1 
SEC. 29. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared
2 
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof shall remain in full force and effect.
3 
SEC. 30. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
4 
letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent
5 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, or modified accordingly.
6 
SEC. 31. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
7 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general
8 
circulation.
Approved,
14