Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
Introduced by Representative Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global public health systems and 
emphasized the urgency of scientific preparedness against biological threats. In the 
Philippines, the crisis highlighted the limitations of our existing infrastructure in virology 
research, diagnostics, vaccine development, and epidemic response. While the nation has 
taken commendable steps in policy and healthcare delivery, we remain reliant on foreign 
technologies and supply chains in the face of viral outbreaks. 
This bill seeks to establish the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines 
(VIP), a dedicated, state-funded research and development institution under the 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The VIP will be the country’s premier 
institution for the comprehensive study of viruses affecting humans, animals, and plants, 
and will focus on the development of diagnostic tools, therapeutics, and vaccines. 
Rooted in the State’s constitutional mandate to protect the people’s right to health and 
to promote science and technology as essential tools for national development, this 
measure addresses the urgent need for a self-reliant scientific infrastructure that can 
respond to both existing and emerging infectious diseases. The Institute will: 
●
Conduct advanced research in virology using molecular biology, biotechnology,
and bioinformatics;
●
Develop locally-produced diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines;
●
Establish high-containment laboratories for highly infectious pathogens;
●
Promote scientific cooperation with international research networks;
●
Build a virus gene bank and virus genome laboratory for epidemiological studies;
●
Foster collaboration between the government, academe, and private sector; and
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Strengthen the nation’s scientific workforce through knowledge transfer, Balik
Scientist incentives, and university-based research programs.
The VIP will serve not only as a research center but also as a catalyst for building a 
virology-based bioindustry, improving health resilience, and reducing the country’s 
dependence on imported biomedical products. Its establishment will ensure that our 
scientists and researchers are equipped and empowered to take the lead in protecting the 
country from future pandemics and other viral threats. 
In light of the lessons of the pandemic and the ever-evolving landscape of infectious 
diseases, the passage of this bill is a strategic and moral imperative. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.____ 
Introduced by Representative Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES 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 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 
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. 
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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; 
(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 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; 
(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. 
 
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 
● 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 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 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. 
 
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 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 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. 
 
 
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. 
 
 
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,