Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

10

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ,
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS
and JUDE A. ACIDRE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The world has never experienced a prolonged period of uncertainty, devastation, and helplessness
unequal in magnitude as that caused by the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), or COVID 19, has caught the world unprepared, spreading
exponentially, afflicted countless lives in all corners of the globe, caused nations untold sufferings, and
brought irrev

sible huge economic collapse to even the world’s best economies.

‘This current health crisis in addressing the COVID 19 pandemic phenomenon unequivocally
demonstrated the rapidity with which new viruses and their variants can travel across the globe, inflict
misery, wrought havoc to human lives, and put the global economy to a halt as nations all but fall helpless
amidst specter of their virulence, more transmissible and fatal emerging variants, and threats of
resurgence

Almost three years into the unabetted onslaught track of the COVID-19 pandemic, now
considered the greatest public health challenge in the current millennium, highlighted the unpreparedness
of the country in containing a highly contagious virus and in effectively protecting the public from the
health dangers presented by this viral disease yet of unknown origin, still of elusive cure, and of
undetermined timetable of total COVID 19 eradication and return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

‘The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, however, pointed to many other contingent urgent concerns,
including the imperatives to henceforth take serious stock not only of our public health management

system and clinical health care capacity, but more so of the competent knowledge, research, and scientific
technology application on the immediate containment of the virus transmission and its behavior by our


health experts, both for present outbreaks as well as for future emerging and re-emerging novel viruses,
drug resistant mutations, and viral threats, including viruses affecting our livestock and plants, not only
for their risks impact to food production and security, biodiversity and human safety, but more
importantly to the modes and extent of virus transmission to humans, with the end in view of effective
preventive response, containment interventions, and cure.

‘There can be no further argument that our best hope, as that of humankind, for preventing and
trentment of infectious diseases and viral infections in humans, as to plants and animals, come from
vigorous research, and stepping up of scientific frontiers and development breakthroughs in the field of
virology, and application of advancement in technology for maximum gains in the campaign for
sustainable public health response.

‘These, and the current health crisis and future emerging public health threats are issues that can
only be addressed on sustained basis using science and technology approach, specifically through research
and development (R&D) track. It is therefore imperative that we establish a research institute that is
devoted to the study of viruses, or would advance the field of virology.

‘The proposed establishment of the Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute, or
“VIP,” is a concrete step and strategic response, not only in our fierce fight against the COVID-19
pandemic, but also in ensuring our public health emergency preparedness and response.

We envisioned the VIP as a premiere research institute in the field of virology, encompassing all
areas in viruses and viral dis
research on viral agents with focus on vector reservoir transmission, viral ecology, clinical virology,

‘ases in humans, plants, and animals. It will conduct innovative scientific

pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and host-immune response to viral pathogens, including tisk factors for
infection, the natural history of diseases, including clinical presentation and outcomes, prognostic factors
for severe illness, the period of infectiv
other emerging novel scientific fields in virus research,

modes and extent of virus inter-human transmission, and such

‘The proposed institute may explore other fields, such as enteric infections and respiratory
infections, central nervous system infections, viral infections in the immunocompromised hosts, antiviral
and antimicrobial resistance, viral diversity, plant and animal pathology, plant and animal virus
interactions, and major plant and animal viruses, including the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and
therapeutics. The institute will likewise be the knowledge venue for scientists, research institutes and
science-based organizations, both here and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of
agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance.

This bill, however, highlights the fact that globalization has become a defining term in the 21st
century, and with almost anyone being able to set foot at any place in the world any time, thus diseases,
viruses, and bacteria have the exponential potential as well to travel anywhere,


As of this date, the country and the rest of the world are still reeling under the effect and impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with its variants, some of which may be even deadlier and easier to
transmit. The continuing acceleration of globalization will continue to spread virus infections and their
variants at an accelerated scale too. Hence, the growing significance of the immediate establishment of
virology institute that shall focus on key development areas for virology science and technology
applications in humans, plants, and animals.

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 Virology 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,

With the lessons painfully drawn from this COVID 19 pandemic experience, the time is here and
now to invest decisively in science and technology, if only to ensure our health security and economic
progress ftom amidst future threats of outbreaks of such magnitude, or even beyond, as the COVID-19
pandemic. Hence, this proposed measure.

We recognize Reps. Joey Sarte Salceda, Cheryl P. Deloso-Montalla, Angelina "Helen"
DL. Tan, MD., Strike B. Revilla, Angelo Marcos B. Barba, Leonardo L. Babasa, Ron P. Salo, Luis
Raymund “LRay” F. Villafuerte, Rufus B. Rodriguez and Joaquin M. Chipeco Je. as authors of this bill
It was subsequently passed on Third Reading by the House and transmitted to the Senate.

‘The passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

[ARIE K, ROMUALDEZ
Representative
Partf-List, Tingog Sinirangan

Representative
First District, Leyte

FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS JUDE WACIDRE
Representative Representative
First District, locos Norte Party-List, Tingog Sinirangan



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

~, 10

HOUSE BILL NO. “—

Introduced by Representatives FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ,
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ, FERDINAND ALEXANDER A. MARCOS and.
JUDE A. ACIDRE

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, 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;


SEC.

SEC.

b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
©) _ International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections;

4) 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,

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

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 ot 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;

©) Biasecurity 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;

4) Diagnostics refer to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis for plants, animals
and humans;

©) 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

2) 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.

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

2


37
38
39
40
a1
42
43
44
45
46
a7
48
49
50
51
52
53

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;

©) Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, and

vaccines in cooperation with the private sector and concerned government agencics;

d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and development

in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and the academe;

©) 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;

2) 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 ot 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 Degtee 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);
©) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;
Members:
d) Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;
©) Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the DOST;

{) Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for International Economic
Relations;

2) 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);
ji) Director of VIP;

k) Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health;
1) Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology;

m) Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines; and

1) 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, rales 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. ~ he 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, of 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

5


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 ot 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 \ot 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. ~ \i donations, contributions, grants, bequests, oF 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

6


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 fall 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; of,

2. Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as provided under
R.A. No. 6656 and other relevant laws.

c. Incumbent DOSY officials and employees may be considered to assume positions in the
VIP, subject to competency evaluation and CSC regulations.


ee Vaueune

10

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

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.

¢. 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 hercof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances ot
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,