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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
 ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    ) 
First Regular Session     
 ) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H.B. NO. _____ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE EMMARIE “LOLYPOP” OUANO-
DIZON 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Covid 19 pandemic is not the first, nor will be the last, global health 
emergency.  
It was recently estimated that there are 320,000 mammalian viruses, many of 
which may have the potential for human transmission. New pathogens continue to 
emerge, and existing nonviral pathogens become resistant to common antibiotics. 
Hence, we are living at a time of great need for the discipline of virology. 
Virology is the scientific study of viruses. It focuses on their detection, 
structure, classification and evolution, their methods of infection and exploitation of 
host cells for reproduction, their interaction with host organism physiology and 
immunity, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and 
their use in research and therapy.  
There can be no argument that humankind's best hope of preventing and 
treating these diseases comes from a vigorous research enterprise. Indeed, we have 
now almost eliminated polio due to the development of vaccines and have converted 
HIV infection from a certain death sentence to a largely manageable state, and, as 
mentioned above, we have our first anticancer vaccines by preventing some viral 
infections. The tremendous reduction in mortality from such diseases as variola, 
measles, and rubella came about only because the causative viruses were identified, 
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cultivated, attenuated, and made into effective vaccines by biomedical research. In 
addition to having applied these practical findings, we have gained important 
fundamental insights into the biology not only of viruses but also of the cells that 
they infect, and that information is being applied to find cures against other diseases, 
such as cancer. All these advances, and more. have come about because of public 
trust in science and investment in scientific research. 
The proposed Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines 
will 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 Institute 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.  
The creation of a virology institute in the country is now a necessity. 
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this proposed legislative measure is 
earnestly sought. 
EMMARIE “LOLYPOP” OUANO-DIZON 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _____ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE EMMARIE “LOLYPOP” OUANO-
DIZON 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF 
THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Virology and 
Vaccine 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 resources including 
human resources for health, health institutions, and delivery of health services, and 
shall give priority to research, the development and promotion of innovations in both 
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technology and services, the use of safe and indigenous health-promoting practices, 
and their appropriate utilization by the health sector.  
 
In this regard, the State shall prioritize the establishment of an institute that 
will conduct in-depth studies on viruses and their potential disease-causing agents 
that affect people, plants, and animals, in order to provide the scientific bases for the 
treatment of viral diseases, and for the formulation of policies that shall prevent the 
transmission of these diseases within the community and national context.  
 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish a virology and vaccine 
institute that shall focus on the following key science and technology applications:  
 
a) Research on viruses and other pathogens using a modern approach such as 
molecular biology and its application on biotechnology and bioinformatics;  
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics on viruses and 
other pathogens;  
c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections;  
d) Operation of a virology laboratory, virus gene bank and virus genome 
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 viruses.  
 
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;  


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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 and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines. 
- The Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created and 
shall be attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes 
of policy and program coordination and 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 also 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.  
 
SEC. 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. - To accomplish its mandate, the 
VIP shall have the 29 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 
agencies;  


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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, 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;  
k) Establish linkages with local and international partners; and  
l) Assume additional functions such as the conduct of clinical research or trials 
and other incidental works, as may be deemed appropriate.  
 
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 have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. 
The consultants may be selected from the public and private sectors and shall serve 
on a contractual basis. They 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 and staffing pattern, 
subject to the existing compensation and position classification system and civil 
service 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. The Director must possess:   
 
a) a bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology or any other specialization; 
b) a postgraduate degree in virology or any other related fields; and,  
c) at least three (3) years work experience in the field of virology.  


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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 Philippines and the Secretary of the DOST 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. The Deputy Director for Research and Development must possess a Bachelor's 
Degree in Microbiology or in a similar field and at least a Master's Degree in 
Virology. The Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages must possess a 
Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree relevant to the position.  
 
SEC. 10. The Governing Board. - The VIP shall have a Governing Board 
which shall be the policymaking body for the scientific and technological activities 
of the VIP. It shall be composed of the following:  
 
Chairperson:  
Secretary of the DOST;  
 
Co-Chairpersons:  
Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH);  
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);  
 
Members:  
 
Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources;  
Undersecretary for Research and Development of the DOST; 
Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for 
International Economic Relations;  
Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM); 
Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); 
Director of VIP;  
Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute 
of Health; 
Representative from the National Academy of Science and 
Technology; 
Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines; 
and  


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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 by law, and by the rules and 
regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).  
 
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 Act" and other existing laws.  
 
SEC. 13. International Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish 
strategic partnerships with the world's leading scientists and 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 the VIP advice and assistance on drafting and 
negotiations of international legal instruments.  
 
The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 
Philippines, World Organization for Animal Health and other relevant international 


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organizations 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 for the Management of 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, DA, 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.  
 
SEC. 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. - The DOST shall, in 
partnership with the DOH, DA and the DTI, 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). To 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.  


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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 taxpayers shall be protected by 
intellectual property laws in accordance with Republic 9 Act No. 10055, also known 
as the "Philippine 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-owned by the Philippine Government, and 
correspondingly accorded intellectual property protection under the law.  
 
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, otherwise 
known as the "Government Procurement Reform Act" and its 2016 Revised 
Implementing Rules and Regulations.  
 
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 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 the "Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S & T 
Personnel in the Government," as amended.  
 
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 


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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 the DOST and the Secretary of the 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 of 
and for the benefit of the VIP, which shall be released in a timely manner to address 
an existing or emerging public emergency or consistent with the urgent nature of 
VIP mandate and functions, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing 
laws, rules and regulations.  
 
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 VIP Act, which shall be jointly 
chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and the 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.  


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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 which shall be absorbed 
by the VIP shall be transferred accordingly pursuant to Section 11 (Transfer of Units, 
Offices and Functions) hereof 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 to by the 
CSC who may be affected by the transfer 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 Republic Act No. 6656, entitled “An Act to 
Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and Employees in the 
Implementation of Government Reorganization,” 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, CSC, and other relevant 
government agencies, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within 
one hundred twenty (120) days from effectivity of this Act.  
 


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SEC. 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion 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,