NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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*22 AUG 11 A10 33
S. No.
SENATE
1130
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Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
CREATING THE VIROLOGY INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
As learned through what we have experienced during the last two (2) years, 
having our virology institute will be greatly crucial in our defenses against future 
pandemics and viruses.
This will also help us in the development and production of the necessary 
vaccines to prevent the spread of future diseases.
With a number of fully prepared experts who are backed up with adequate 
resources and modern facilities, we can properly formulate the appropriate and 
strategic response, should we come face-to-face again with another viral threat.
Hence, boosting our research and expertise on virology, as well as our vaccine 
development capabilities, should be prioritized in order to bolster our national security.
In this light, the immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
MARK A. VILLAR
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
'liDftio’ o(f•;!'£'■ ■ 't
72 AUG 11 A10 33
SENATE 
S. No.
m-CEiVIDFiV:
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
CREATING THE VIROLOGY INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State:
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a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
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health consciousness among them;
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b)To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and
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research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems;
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c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national
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development and progress;
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d)To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation,
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and their utilization; and
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e)To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
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technological capabilities, and their application to the country's
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productive systems and national life.
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Sec. 2. Objectives. — This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall
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focus on the following key development areas for virology science and technology
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applications:
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a) Research on viruses using a modern approach;
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b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;


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c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus
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infections;
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d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus
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reference laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines
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for disease prevention and epidemiological studies; and
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e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the
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study of highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.
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Sec. 3. Creation of the Virology Institute of the Philippines. — The Virology
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Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created, which shall be an attached agency
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under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and
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program coordination to ensure alignment with national policies and priorities.
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The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the
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field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases. It shall be a
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venue for scientists, research institutes and other organizations here in the Philippines
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and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses.
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Sec. 4. Powers, Functions, and Duties. — To accomplish its mandate, the VIP
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shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
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a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National
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Virology Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned
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stakeholders, that will encompass researches involving viruses;
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b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development
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(R&D) in the field of virology;
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c) Conduct product research and development (R&D) in the areas of
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but not limited to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines;
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d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific
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research and development to concerned government agencies,
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industry, and academe;
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e) Promote and advocate virology research ethics, biosafety, and
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biosecurity;
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f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and
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technology for use by both the public and private sectors;


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g) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned,
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programs for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in
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virology and relevant disciplines through human resource
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development, infrastructure, and institution building;
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h) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related
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studies on virology;
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i) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;
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j) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and
9 
technology; and
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k) Establish linkages with local and international partners.
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Sec. 5. Organizational Structure. — The VIP shall be headed by a Director-
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General and two (2) Deputy Directors-General, one (1) for Research and
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Development, and one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages. The VIP shall be
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composed of the following divisions:
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a) Virus Research;
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b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research;
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c) Vaccines Research;
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d) Technical Services and Training;
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e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages; and
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f) Finance and Administration.
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The Deputy Director-General for Research and Development shall head the
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Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines Research
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Divisions. The Deputy Director-General for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall head
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the Technical Services and Training, Policy, Planning, and Linkages, and Finance and
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Administration Divisions.
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Sec. 6. Qualifications of the VIP Director-General and Deputy Directors-Generai.
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— The VIP Director-General and the Deputy Directors-General shall be appointed by
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the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the DOST Secretary.
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The Director-General with a rank of an undersecretary shall be a qualified
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expert possessing at least a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Microbiology and/or an allied
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discipline; preferably with a doctorate degree in medical sciences and/or in virology-
32 
related discipline with three to five years of experience in diagnostic virology. He shall


1 
have overall responsibility for the activities including the supervision of all the staff
2 
working in the VIP. In addition, he shall be directly responsible for reporting to the
3 
Secretary of Science and Technology and the President of the Philippines the results
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of the various diagnostic assays and research studies performed in the institute.
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Each of the Deputy Directors-General of the VIP shall have a rank of assistant
6 
secretary. The Deputy Director-General shall possess at least the educational
7 
background of the VIP Director-General.
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Sec. 7. Compliance with Existing Government Regulations. — The VIP shall
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comply with the procedures, rules and regulations of other Government Offices
10 
mandated to oversee the practice of virology and other related disciplines as well as
11 
the operation of laboratories, clinics, diagnostics and similar facilities.
12 
Sec. 8. Internationa! Cooperation. — The VIP shall establish strategic
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partnerships with the world's leading scientists, virology centers and institutes, and
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conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will advance the frontiers of
15 
virology in the country. The VIP can enter into a memorandum of agreement or
16 
understanding with international partners, upon the approval of the DOST Secretary
17 
and in compliance with existing laws, rules, regulations and issuances of the
18 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The DFA shall provide technical, legal and other
19 
forms of assistance to the VIP.
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Sec. 9. Interdepartmental Cooperation. — The VIP shall collaborate with the
21 
DOH, Department of Finance (DOF), FDA, RITM and other relevant government
22 
agencies, in mobilizing resources as may be required to implement this Act.
23 
Sec. 10. Private-Public Partnerships. — The Department of Trade and Industry
24 
(DTI), the DOH, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the DOST shall
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collaborate in seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of new
26 
industries, products and services where the VIP shall be the main research and
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development unit.
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Sec. 11. Promotion of Virology Industry. — The DOST, in partnership with the
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DOH-Health Promotion and Communication Service and Disease Prevention and
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Control Bureau and DTI-Board of Investments, shall jointly develop an industry
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roadmap for products and services that can be created, improved, or optimized by
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research from the VIP.


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Sec. 12. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer and Research in the Academe. —
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The VIP shall promote the creation of hubs and programs for virology research and
3 
development in the academe, particularly in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
4 
Towards this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses and
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programs, open internships for qualified students of higher education institutions
6 
(HEIs) and collaborate with HEIs in the creation of virology research centers.
7 
The CHED shall collaborate with the DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP
8 
partnerships.
9 
Sec. 13. Protection of Intellectual Property. —The DOST shall ensure that all
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technologies developed exclusively by the VIP with full funding from Filipino taxpayers
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shall be protected by intellectual property laws in accordance with Republic Act No.
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10055 or the Technology Transfer Act of 2009 and other applicable laws. Any patent
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grant or property right awarded or granted to the VIP shall be held by and in the name
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of the Philippine Government. In the case of partnerships, where the VIP is a
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collaborating research partner, the DOST shall ensure that technologies co-developed
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by the VIP shall also be co-attributed, with the corresponding intellectual protections,
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to the Philippine Government.
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Sec. 14. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment and Services. — The
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VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and services
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to be used by the VIP in its operation and administration, in the most expeditious
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manner, as exemptions from the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 or the
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"Government Procurement Reform Act" and other relevant laws.
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Provided, that during public health emergency, the following shall be observed:
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a) Less stringent procurement procedures allowing negotiated
25 
procurement, higher caps on allowable down payment for
26 
procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and services;
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b) Authority to the DOST Secretary to approve advance payment of not
28 
more than 15% for procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and
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services, for faster facilitation;
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c) Simplified process for foreign procurement especially with specialized
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equipment, reagents, and supplies not available in the Philippines;


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d) Exemption from customs duties and taxes for all VIP supplies and
2 
equipment procured abroad; and
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e) Exemption from taxes on income generated through training and
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other delivery of services of VIP.
5 
Sec. 15. Official Site of VIP. — A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5)
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hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
7 
(BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac shall be allocated exclusively
8 
for the free use of for the Institute, its research facilities, and laboratories. The
9 
biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based on risk assessment for handling
10 
specific pathogens following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the
11 
establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries.
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Sec. 16. Virology Research Fund. — There is hereby created a Virology
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Research Fund to be used and administered by the VIP following existing government
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budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. The fund shall be sourced
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from the following:
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a) The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (Php 2,000,000,000.00) to be
17 
taken from the current fiscal year's appropriation, in case the General
18 
Appropriations Act (GAA) was approved before this law is enacted;
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b) The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and
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licensing agreements;
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c) Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether
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from local or foreign sources. Provided, that acceptance of grants,
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bequests, contributions, and donations from foreign governments
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shall be subject to the approval of the President upon the
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recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST and Secretary of the
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DFA. The Secretary of DOST, with the approval of the National
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Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subsequently, the
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DOF, is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements
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with foreign financial institutions.
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Sec. 17. Authority to Solicit Receive Donations, Grants and the Like. — The
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VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public or private domestic or
32 
foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, contributions or other


1 
transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in
2 
favor and for the benefit of the VIP, which shall be exempt from donor's tax and shall
3 
all be part of the special account in the general fund managed by the Department of
4 
Finance.
5 
The VIP shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use,
6 
maintenance and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments, contributions
7 
or transfers and the compliance of the terms and conditions thereon, if any, in
8 
accordance with pertinent accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
9 
Sec. 18. Use of Income. — The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the income
10 
generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants for the
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upgrading of its physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its
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budget.
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Sec. 19. Mandatory Adoption of Publicly Funded Technologies. — Mandatory
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adoption of publicly funded and generated technologies developed by the VIP
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whenever feasible and practicable, shall strictly be implemented by all government
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entities or instrumentalities All national government agencies (NGAs), government-
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owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs),
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and local government units (LGUs) performing science and technology development
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projects shall adopt publicly-funded technologies.
20 
Sec. 20. Annual Report. — The VIP shall submit its annual report to the
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President and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both Chambers of
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Congress following the effect!vity of this Act.
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Sec. 21. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. — There shall be a Joint
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Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of this Act, which shall be
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jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of
26 
the Senate and House of Representatives. It shall be composed of, as members, the
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Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography and Agriculture,
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Food and Agrarian Reform, the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health and Food
29 
and Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and two others from each chamber
30 
of Congress to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of
31 
Representatives.


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Sec. 22. Appropriations. — The sum of Two Billion Pesos
2 
(Php2/000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial operation fund of the VIP
3 
from the current fiscal year's appropriation. Thereafter, the amount needed for its
4 
operation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
5 
Sec. 23. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. — The DOST Secretary, in
6 
consultation with DBM, DOH, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government
7 
agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within one hundred
8 
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.
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Sec. 24. Separabiiity Ciause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
10 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
11 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
12 
Sec. 25. Repeaiing Ciause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
13 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary
14 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or
15 
amended accordingly.
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Sec. 26. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Officiai Gazette ox in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,