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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City \

49" CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL NG, “82

Introduced by REP. ARJO ATAYDE

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

The present and future challenges and threats to mankind of infectious
diseases that have emerged and re-surfaced since the early 21st century remain to
be an ultimate predicament of our time. The pandemic brought by the new novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) further places in the foreground the vulnerabilities of the
country in the management of clinical and public health.

At this point, it is imperative to have diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of
viruses, vaccines to provide long-term protection, treatments to save lives in the
shorter term, and social science to understand the behavioral and societal
implications. To date, there is no institution in the Philippines that focuses on
diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development against viruses. With the rise in
the number of viral diseases, especially those that infect both animals and humans, it
is important to have our own state-of-the-art research center dedicated to virology.

The proposed establishment of the Virology Science and Technology Institute will
provide a national premier research institute in the field of virology encompassing all
areas of viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, and animals.

The Institute will be the venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to work
collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental
importance. Through strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading scientists,
virology centers, and institutes, the Virology Science and Technology Institute hopes
to do groundbreaking and pioneering virology research in the country that will advance
the frontiers of virology in the country.

In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

REP, ARJ@ ATAYDE



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

19% CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._462_

Introduced by REP. ARJO ATAYDE

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

INSTITUTE 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 Institute of

the Philippines Act of 2022"

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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State:

To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them;

To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research,
responsive to the country's health needs and problems;

To recognize that science and technology are essential for national

development and progress;

To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and

To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological
capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems and
national life.

To this end, it is recognized that the establishment of an institute that will

conduct research and development activities/in-depth study on the viruses affecting
the lives of its people and resources is vital for the protection of the health of its people
and the preservation of the national life.

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 to ensure the state's sustained progress:


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a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and
its application or biotechnology.

b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics (Molecular
Biotechnology)

©) International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections

d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus reference
laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease
prevention and epidemiological studies

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, the following terms shall

a) Virology — is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology of
viruses and viral diseases, including the distribution, pathogenicity, viral
cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology,
ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical
aspects of viruses.

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

c) Therapeutics — anti-viral, nanotechnology treatment approach, nucleic acid-
based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the treatment of viral diseases and
infections for humans, animals, and plants

d) Vaccines - are products that induce or stimulate active acquired immunity by
producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps the body's immune
system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria.

SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the
Philippines. To carry out the provisions of this Act, a research and development
institute under the Department of Science and Technology called the Virology Science
and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) shall be created.

The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the
field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans,
plants, and animals. It shall act as a venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to
work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and
environmental importance.

The Institute shall establish strategic partnerships with the world's leading
scientists, virology centers, and institutes and conduct innovative and pioneering
researches that will advance the frontiers of virology in the country.

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.


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sectors and ensure that the results of these activities are properly applied towards self-
reliance and utilized to accelerate economic and social development towards the
protection of the citizens and its resources.

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 of the Virology research agenda as part of the
National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA);

b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development (R&D) in the
field of virology;

c) Conduct product R&D in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines;

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

development to concerned government agencies, industry, and academe;

Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and

technology for use by both the public and private sectors;

f) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs for
strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology and relevant
disciplines through human resource development, infrastructure, and
institution building;

g) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related
researches on virology;

h) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;

i) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and

technology; and

Establish linkages with local and international partners.

e)

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SEC. 8. Organizational Structure. The VIP shall be an attached agency of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and
program coordination, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
It shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Deputy Directors, one (1) for Research
and Development, and another one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages.

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

a) Virus Research
b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
c) Vaccines Research

d) Technical Services and Training

e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages

f) Finance and Administration


The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall head the first three (3)
divisions while the Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall head the
next three (3) divisions.

Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
the VIP shall determine its organizational structure and create new divisions or units
as it may deem necessary and shall appoint officers and employees of the VIP
following the civil service laws, rules, and regulations.

For this purpose, the Institute shall draw up the necessary position qualifications
and standards for its personnel following the Civil Service Law, rules, and regulations,
in consultation with the DBM.

SEC. 9, The Governing Board. The Governing Board shall be the principal
policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the Institute. It shall
be composed of the following:

a) Chairperson, Secretary of DOST
b) Co-chairperson, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST
c) Members:
i. Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH)
ii, Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture (DA)
iii, Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Philippines (CDC
PHL)
iv. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Health Research &
Development (PCHRD)
v. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and
Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
vi. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and
Emerging Technology Research & Development (PCIEERD)
vil. Director of Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute (VIP)
viii. Director of University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-
NIH)
ix. Three (3) representatives from the Private Sector elected by the ex-
officio Board Members

SEC. 10. Transfer of Offices and Units. All offices and units under the DOST
‘system that are handling matters related to virology shall be transferred to the VIP.

The transfer of an office or unit shall include the functions, appropriations,
funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and
liabilities, if any, of the transferred office or unit as well as the personnel thereof, as
may be necessary.


SEC. 11. Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. The institute
may engage Balik Scientists and foreign experts following the terms of reference and
compensation structure of the Balik Scientist Program.

SEC. 12. International Cooperation. The VIP may enter into a memorandum
of agreement or memorandum of understanding with international partners, upon the
approval of its Governing Board.

SEC.13. Official Site of VIP. A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5)
hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development
Authority (BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac shall be allocated
exclusively for the Institute, its research facilities, and laboratories The biosafety
infrastructure shall be designed based on risk assessment for handling specific
pathogens following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the
establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries.

SEC. 14, Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. Qualified employees of VIP
and its attached units shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as
“Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and
Technology Personnel in Government’.

SEC. 15. Annual Report. The VIP shall submit to the President and the
Committee on Science and Technology in both Chambers of the Congress not later
than the 30th of March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The report
shall provide a detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act and
recommended legislation, where applicable and necessary.

SEC. 16. Virology Research Fund. There is hereby created a Virology Research
Fund to be used exclusively for the implementation of the Virology Institute Strategic
Plan, which shall be administered by the VIP following existing government budgeting,
accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. The Fund shall be sourced from the
following:

a) The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (P 2,000,000,000.00) to be taken from
the current fiscal year’s appropriation, in case the General Appropriation Act
(GAA) was approved before this law is enacted.

b) The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and licensing

agreements.

Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether from local

or foreign sources. Provided that acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions,

and donations from foreign governments shalll be subject to the approval of the

President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST and

Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Secretary of DOST,

with the approval of the NEDA and subsequently, the Department of Finance

(DOF), is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements with

foreign financial institutions.

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SEC. 17. Use of Income. The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the income
generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants for the upgrading
of its physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its budget, in case
of a shortfall

SEC. 18. Appropriations. The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php 2,000,000,000.00)
is hereby appropriated as an initial operating fund for the operation of the Institute,
taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation. Thereafter, the amount needed for
its operation shall be included in the General Appropriation Act.

SEC. 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within one hundred twenty
(120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST in coordination with DBM, Civil
Service Commission, and other relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 20. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Act that may be
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying the other
portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision can still
subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SEC. 21. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 22. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,