Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The COVID 19 pandemic greatly highlighted the weaknesses of the country’s 
health system and the bureaucracy involved in making decisions to address health scares 
and pandemics. It showed how dependent the country is to the research and findings of 
other countries who have a more advanced virology institute and research centers.  
To prepare the country to any future pandemics and new viruses, we need to have 
an outstanding research and development center. We need to develop our capability and 
self-reliance in science and technology, specifically in the field of virology. This will help 
us respond faster to new viruses and outbreaks. This will also help the country produce 
it own vaccines when needed. 
A virology institute will be the lead in the research and study of viruses of plants, 
animals, and humans. It will also conduct research on diagnostics, therapeutics, and 
vaccines. With this, the aim is to strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities in 
virology to ensure that if a new outbreak happens, the country will be ready.   
September 15, 2022
9:50 am
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In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly 
requested.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
 HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
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 to health 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 health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health and medical human 
resources, health institutions, and delivery of health services, and shall give priority to 
research, the development and promotion of innovations in both technology and services, 
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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 modern 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 virus infections; 
 
d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus reference 
laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease 
prevention and epidemiological studies; and, 
 
e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of highly 
infectious and highly pathogenic virus. 
 
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; 
 
f) 
Vaccine 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 
 
g) Virology refers to the scientific discipline concerned 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 of policy 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; 
 
j) 
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) 
Deputy Directors 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.  Finance and Administration. 
 
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations of the 
Virus Research, 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 consultancy 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. 
 
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 responsibility 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 VIP.  
Each of the Deputy Directors of the VIP shall have a rank of Director III, 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);  
 
j) Director of VIP; 
 
k) Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health;  
 
l) 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 
DOST system 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 VIP 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. 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 HEIs 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 payers 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 Philippine Government. In 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 expeditious 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 “Government 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 Clark 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 Magna 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 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 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 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 National Internal 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 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 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. 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. 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 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.  - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,