EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS }
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 8934
EXPLANATORY NOTE

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new strain of
coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan,
China, in December 2019.

On January 30, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) reported the first case of COVID-
19 in the country with a 38-year-old female Chinese national. Then on March 7, 2020, the first
local transmission of COVID-19 was confirmed.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the weaknesses of the country’s health system and
the bureaucracy involved in making decisions to address health scares and pandemics.

As of March 2021, data from the Doh shows that the Philippines has around 591,000
cases of COVID-19, around 535,000 have already recovered and 12,465 have died.

The ongoing outbreak presents many concerms, particularly on effective clinical
and public health management specially on novel viruses that cross the species barrier. This is
due to very few studies and limited information on viral pathogenesis; risk factors for infection; the
natural history of disease including clinical presentation and outcomes; prognostic factors for
severe illness; the period of infectivity; modes and extent of virus inter-human transmission;
effective preventive measures; and public health response and containment interventions.

While there are already vaccines for COVID-19 and some are already arriving in the
country, with inoculations already taking place, it can not be argued that we were not ready for
COVID-19. The whole world was not ready. Aside from COVID-19, there are many other viruses
emerging and currently affecting the world.

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.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUFUS B. RO! jUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Second Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
8934

House Bill No.

ANACT
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".

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 heaith, 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

) 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/in-depth study on the viruses affecting the lives of its people
and resources is vital for the protection of the health of its 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);

¢) 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;

Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of highly infectious
and highly pathogenic viruses.

e)

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


Virology — is the scientific discipline concemed 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;

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

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

a)

6)

°)

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;
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 concemed, programs for
strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology and relevant disciplines
through human resource development, infrastructure, and institution building;
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;
i) Establish linkages with local and international partners.

e)

g


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 for Research and Development, and another one for Support, Policy, and
Linkages.

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

a) Virus Research
b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
©) Vaccines Research
d) Technical Services and Training
e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages
f) Finance and Administration
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall 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 policymaking
body for scientific and technological activities of the Institute. It shall be composed of the following:
a) Chair, Secretary of DOST
b) Co-chair, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST
©) Members:
i. Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH)
Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture (DA)
Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Philippines (CDCPHL)
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 (PCAARRD)
vi. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Industry. Energy and Emerging
Technology Research & Development (PCIEERD)
vii. Director of Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute (VIP)
Vili. 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
Batik Scientists and foreign experts following the terms of reference and compensation structure
of the Ralik 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 a report to the President and the Committee
‘on Science and Technology of both Chambers of Congress not later than the 30” 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
nevessary,

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 (Php 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.

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,