Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
19th Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  _______ 
Introduced by Rep. MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to create the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the 
Philippines (VIP) Act of 2022.  This is in response to the priority measures 
mentioned by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during his 2022 State of the 
Nation Address (SONA) for the creation of the “Virology Institute of the 
Philippines (VIP) Act.” 
The COVID-19 pandemic phenomenon demonstrated the rapidity with 
which the new viruses and its variants can travel worldwide, inflict misery, 
wrought havoc to human lives, and put the global economy to a halt as nations 
fall helpless amidst the specter of its virulence, more transmissible and fatal 
emerging variants, and threats of resurgence. The impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic is still visible. Thus, the need for an empowered, highly specialized, 
science and ICT based, fast and responsive formal institution that would be at 
the forefront of handling viruses that primarily affect, not only human beings 
such as COVID-19 or dengue, but also, to include non-human affecting virus, 
such as: a) the African Swine Fever which severely damaged the livestock 
industry, b) the Avian flu, c) Tungro virus, d) Pineapple mealybug wilt-
associated virus, e) Banana bunchy top virus and many other viruses. 
The time is here and now to invest decisively in science and technology. 
The country needs diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of 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. 
November 7, 2022
1:53 pm
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Worth-noting is the primordial significance of health as enshrined in the 
Constitution, which states under Art. II, Section 15 - “The State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 
among them.” 
This bill was filed on behalf of the Second District of Bohol during the 
18th Congress and was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives 
on July 28, 2021. 
In view of the above premises, the prompt approval of this measure is 
highly sought and recommended. 
 MARIA VANESSA C. AUMENTADO 
  Representative 
 2nd District, Bohol 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
______ Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado 
AN ACT 
1 
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
2 
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
3 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title.–This Act shall be known as the “Virology and Vaccine 
5 
Institute of thePhilippines (VIP) Act of 2022.” 
6 
7 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.It is hereby declared the policy of the State: 
8 
9 
a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health
10 
consciousness among them;
11 
b) To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research,
12 
responsive to the country's health needs and problems;
13 
c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national
14 
development and progress;
15 
d) To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and
16 
their utilization; and
17 
e) To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
18 
technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive
19 
systems and national life.
20 
To this end, the State shall give high priority to the establishment of an institute 
21 
that will conduct research and development activities and in-depth studies on the 
22 
viruses affecting the lives of its people and resources, such as plants and animals, is 
23 
vital for the protection of the health of its people and the preservation of the national 
24 
life. 
25 
26 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall 
27 
focus on the following key development areas for virology science and technology 
28 
applications in plants, animals, and humans:  
29 
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a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and 
1 
its application or biotechnology; 
2 
 
3 
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics (Molecular 
4 
Biotechnology); 
5 
 
6 
c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections; 
7 
 
8 
d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus 
9 
referencelaboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for 
10 
disease prevention and epidemiological studies; and, 
11 
 
12 
e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of 
13 
highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses. 
14 
 
15 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
16 
 
17 
a) Virology refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the 
18 
biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human of medical 
19 
importance and pandemic potential including the distribution, pathogenicity, 
20 
viral 
cytopathicity, 
biochemistry, 
physiology, 
molecular 
biology, 
21 
biotechnology, ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, 
22 
evolution, and clinical aspects of viruses; 
23 
 
24 
b) Diagnostics refers to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis 
25 
for plants, animals and humans; 
26 
 
27 
c) Therapeutics 
refers 
to 
anti-viral, 
bacteriophages, 
nanotechnology 
28 
treatmentapproach, nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for 
29 
the treatment of viral diseases and infections of plants, animals and humans; 
30 
 
31 
d) Vaccines refer to products that induce or stimulate active acquired immunity 
32 
by producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps the body’s 
33 
immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria; 
34 
 
35 
e) Biosafety refers to a condition in which the probability of harm, injury and 
36 
damage resulting from the intentional and unintentional introduction and/or 
37 
use of aregulated article is within acceptable and manageable levels; 
38 
 
39 
f) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria, 
40 
usually causing their disintegration or dissolution; 
41 
 
42 
g) Biosecurity refers to a strategic and integrated approach to analyzing and 
43 
managing relevant risks to plant, animal and human life and health and 
44 
associated risks for the environment. It is based on recognition of the critical 
45 
linkages between sectors and the potential for hazards to move within and 
46 
between sectors, with system-wide consequences; 
47 
 
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- 3 - 
 
1 
SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines 
2 
(VIP). -  The Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP).is hereby created, 
3 
which shall be an attached agency under the Department of Science and Technology 
4 
(DOST) for purposes of policy and program coordination to ensure alignment with 
5 
national policies and priorities. 
6 
 
7 
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the 
8 
field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals 
9 
and humans.  It shall be a venue for scientists, research institutes and other 
10 
organizations here in the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study 
11 
viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance. 
12 
 
13 
SEC. 6.  Powers, Functions, and Duties. - To accomplish its mandate, the 
14 
VIP shall have the following powers, functions, and duties: 
15 
 
16 
a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National Virology 
17 
Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that will 
18 
encompass researches involving viruses of plant, animal, and human 
19 
importance. 
20 
 
21 
b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development (R&D) 
22 
in the field of virology. 
23 
 
24 
c) Conduct product research and development (R&D) in the areas of but not 
25 
limited to diagnostics, therapeuticsand vaccines. 
26 
 
27 
d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and 
28 
development to concerned government agencies, industry, and academe. 
29 
 
30 
e) Promote and advocate virology research ethics, biosafety, and biosecurity. 
31 
 
32 
f) 
Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and 
33 
technology for use by both the public and private sectors. 
34 
 
35 
f) 
Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs 
36 
for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology and 
37 
relevant disciplines through human resource development, infrastructure, 
38 
and institution building. 
39 
 
40 
g) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related 
41 
studies on virology. 
42 
 
43 
h) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology. 
44 
 
45 
i) 
Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and 
46 
technology. 
47 
 
48 
j) 
Establish linkages with local and international partners. 
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- 4 - 
 
1 
SEC. 7.  Organizational Structure. - The VIP shall be headed by a Director-
2 
General and two (2) Deputy Directors-General, one (1) for Research and 
3 
Development, and one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages. The VIP shall be 
4 
composed of the following divisions: 
5 
a) Virus Research 
6 
b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research 
7 
c) Vaccines Research 
8 
d) Technical Services and Training 
9 
e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages 
10 
f) Finance and Administration 
11 
 
12 
The Deputy Director-General for Research and Development shall head the 
13 
Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines Research 
14 
Divisions. The Deputy Director-Generalfor Support, Policy, and Linkages shall head 
15 
the Technical Services and Training, Policy, Planning, and Linkages, and Finance and 
16 
Administration Divisions. 
17 
 
18 
The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. 
19 
The consultants may come from the public and private sectors on a consultancy or 
20 
contractual basis, and shall be granted honoraria or allowances in accordance with 
21 
existing rules and regulations. 
22 
 
23 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), 
24 
the VIP shall determine its organizational structure, create new divisions or units as it 
25 
may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and employees. 
26 
 
27 
For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM, determine the 
28 
necessary position qualifications and standards for its personnel following civil service 
29 
laws, rules, and regulations. 
30 
 
31 
SEC. 8. Qualifications of the VIP Director-General and Deputy Directors-
32 
General. The VIP Director-General and the Deputy Directors-General shall be 
33 
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of theDOST 
34 
Secretary.  
35 
 
36 
The Director-General with a rank of an undersecretary shall be a qualified 
37 
expert possessing at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology and/or an 
38 
allied discipline; preferably with a doctorate degree in medical sciences and/or in 
39 
virology-related discipline with three to five years of experience in diagnostic virology. 
40 
He shall have overall responsibility for the activities including the supervision of all the 
41 
staff working in the VIP. In addition, he shall be directly responsible for reporting to 
42 
the Secretary of Science and Technology and the President of the Philippines the results 
43 
of the various diagnostic assays and research studies performed in the institute. 
44 
 
45 
Each of the Deputy Directors-General of the VIP shall have a rank of assistant 
46 
secretary. The Deputy Director-General shall possess at least the educational 
47 
background of the VIP Director-General. 
48 
 
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- 5 - 
The Director-General and the Deputy Director-Generals shall be appointed by 
1 
the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven 
2 
years. Of those first appointed, the Director-General shall hold office for seven years, 
3 
one Deputy Director-General for five years, and the other Deputy Director-General for 
4 
three years. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the 
5 
term of the predecessor. 
6 
 
7 
SEC. 9.  The Governing Board.  - The Governing Board shall be the highest 
8 
policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the VIP, composed 
9 
of the following: 
10 
 
11 
a) The Secretary of the DOST, as Chairperson; 
12 
 
13 
b) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), as Co-Chairperson; 
14 
 
15 
c) Secretary of Department of Agriculture (DA), as Co-Chairperson, 
16 
 
17 
d) The Secretary of Trade and Industry, as may be represented by an 
18 
Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy 
19 
 
20 
e) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, as may be represented 
21 
by an Undersecretary (DENR), as member; 
22 
 
23 
f) The Undersecretary for Research and Development of the DOST, as member; 
24 
 
25 
g) The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as may be represented by the Undersecretary 
26 
for International Economic Relations, as member; 
27 
 
28 
h) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as member; 
29 
 
30 
i) The Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine (RITM), 
31 
as member; 
32 
 
33 
j) The Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as member; 
34 
 
35 
k) The Director-General of the VIP, as member; 
36 
 
37 
l) The Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute of 
38 
Health (UP-NIH), as member; [and] 
39 
 
40 
m) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the President of 
41 
the Philippines, as nominated by the Governing Board. These representatives 
42 
shall have distinguished themselves in the field of medical virology, genomics, 
43 
plant virology, animal virology, epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other 
44 
related disciplines. 
45 
 
46 
The private sector shall be represented by the following: 
47 


 
- 6 - 
 
1 
i. 
an association of medical or allied-health professionals 
2 
ii. 
Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association or from a 
3 
recognized pharmaceutical industry 
4 
iii. 
An academic institution with research and development activities in the field 
5 
of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal virology, 
6 
epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related disciplines 
7 
 
8 
The VIP shall serve as the Secretariat of the Governing Board with the VIP 
9 
Director acting concurrently as the Executive Director of the Secretariat. 
10 
 
11 
SEC. 10.  Functions of the Governing Board.  The Governing Board shall be 
12 
the policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the VIP. It 
13 
shall: 
14 
 
15 
a) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the management and operation 
16 
of the VIP 
17 
 
18 
b) Collect fees, through its Secretariat, in connection with the exercise of its 
19 
regulatory powers 
20 
 
21 
c) Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of funds, 
22 
equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment of its objectives; 
23 
 
24 
d) Provide grants, research fund, materials and equipment for the conduct of 
25 
virology researches by both public and private higher education institutions; 
26 
 
27 
e) Establish an editorial office of a refereed journal of virology and a library 
28 
which shall collect and preserve books, journals and other reference 
29 
materials in the field of virology; and 
30 
 
31 
f) Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the DOST 
32 
Secretary. 
33 
 
34 
SEC. 11.  Compliance with Existing Government Regulations. The VIP shall 
35 
comply with the procedures, rules and regulations of other Government Offices 
36 
mandated to oversee the practice of virology and other related disciplines as well as the 
37 
operation of laboratories, clinics, diagnostics and similar facilities; but not limited to 
38 
the following: procurement of specimen, supplies, materials, and equipment; handling, 
39 
storage, the study of specimen, and disposal of specimen, equipment and other forms 
40 
of waste. 
41 
 
42 
The Department of Health (DOH) through the Health Facilities and Services 
43 
Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) shall establish guidelines and regulate the operation of 
44 
virology-related facilities to be assisted by the DA-Bureau of Animal Industry, DA-
45 
Bureau of Plant Industry, and other relevant stakeholders. 
46 


 
- 7 - 
 
1 
The DOH-Health Human Resource Development Bureau shall establish 
2 
guidelines on the practice of virology profession in the country to be assisted by the 
3 
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its health-related accredited 
4 
professional organizations, together with the Commission on Higher Education 
5 
(CHED), Department of Labor and Employment, Civil Service Commission, Bureau of 
6 
Immigration, and other relevant government offices. 
7 
 
8 
The DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the 
9 
National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) shall ensure compliance of 
10 
the VIP and other virology facilities with regards to waste disposal. 
11 
 
12 
Finally, research proposals prior to its undertaking within the VIP shall be 
13 
reviewed by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) or through its 
14 
accredited ethics review committees or entities. Processes and regulations of the Food 
15 
and Drug Administration, Health Technology Assessment Council and/or of the 
16 
Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines shall be strictly observed prior to 
17 
commercialization of any drug, vaccine, diagnostics, deviceand other similar products. 
18 
 
19 
An Inter-Agency Task Force may be created to monitor compliance of all 
20 
virology-related professions and facilities throughout the country to be headed by the 
21 
DOH-Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau. 
22 
 
23 
SEC. 11.  Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. -The VIP 
24 
may engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who shall work together 
25 
with the local scientists and experts, following the terms of reference and compensation 
26 
structure in accordance with Republic Act No. 11035 or the Balik Scientist Program 
27 
Act and other existing laws. 
28 
 
29 
SEC. 12. International Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish strategic 
30 
partnerships with the world’s leading scientists, virology centers and institutes, and 
31 
conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will advance the frontiers of virology 
32 
in the country. The VIP can enter into a memorandum of agreement or understanding 
33 
with international partners, upon the approval of its Governing Board and in compliance 
34 
with existing laws, rules, regulations and issuances of the Department of Foreign 
35 
Affairs (DFA). The DFA shall provide technical, legaland other forms of assistance to 
36 
the VIP. 
37 
 
38 
The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 
39 
Philippines shall also be consulted upon approval of the Governing Board of the VIP. 
40 
 
41 
SEC. 13. Interdepartmental Cooperation. - The VIP shall collaborate with 
42 
the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Finance (DOF), Food and Drugs 
43 
Administration (FDA), RITM and other relevant government agencies, in mobilizing 
44 
resources such as but not limited to research information, reports, technical expertise, 
45 
equipment, materials and supplies as may be required to implement this Act. 
46 
 
47 
SEC. 14. Inter-Agency Contribution of the VIP. – The research outputs of 
48 
the VIP shall be integrated with the plans made by the Inter-Agency Task Force on 
49 
Emerging Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order No. 168 s. 2014, or its 
50 


 
- 8 - 
successor body, for the management of public health emergencies relating to infectious 
1 
diseases. 
2 
 
3 
The research outputs of the VIP shall also be integrated into other plans relating 
4 
to disease control and prevention. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs). - The Department of Trade and 
7 
Industry (DTI), the Department of Health (DOH), Public-Private Partnership (PPP) 
8 
Center and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shall collaborate in 
9 
seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of new industries, 
10 
products and services where the VIP shall be the main research and development unit. 
11 
 
12 
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local 
13 
government agencies in seeking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main research and 
14 
development unit 
15 
 
16 
SEC. 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. - The DOST, in partnership with 
17 
the DOH-Health Promotion and Communication Service and Disease Prevention and 
18 
Control Bureau and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Board of Investments, 
19 
shall jointly develop an industry roadmap for products and services that can be created, 
20 
improved, or optimized by research from the VIP. As far as practicable, the industry 
21 
roadmap shall include the use of local materials in the development of new products. 
22 
The industry that shall be developed or established resulting from the VIP researches 
23 
shall be included in the national government’s priority industries for incentives. 
24 
 
25 
 
SEC. 17. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer and Research in the Academe. 
26 
- The VIP shall promote the creation of hubs and programs for virology research 
27 
anddevelopment in the academe, particularly in state universities and colleges (SUCs). 
28 
Towards this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses and 
29 
programs, open internships for qualified students of higher education institutions 
30 
(HEIs)and collaborate with HEIs in the creation of virology research centers. 
31 
 
32 
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall collaborate with the 
33 
DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP partnerships. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 18. Protection of VIP-developed Intellectual Property. - The 
36 
Governing Board of the VIP shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively 
37 
by the VIP with full funding from Filipino taxpayers shall be protected by intellectual 
38 
property laws in accordance with Republic Act No. 10055 or the Technology Transfer 
39 
Act of 2009 and other applicable laws Any patent grant or property right awarded or 
40 
granted to the VIPshall be held by and in the name of the Philippine Government. In 
41 
the case of partnerships, where the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the 
42 
Governing Board shall ensure that technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be 
43 
co-attributed, with the corresponding intellectual protections, to the Philippine 
44 
Government. 
45 
 
46 
SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment and Services. - 
47 
The VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and 
48 
services to be used by the VIP in its operation and administration, in the most 
49 


 
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expeditious manner, as exemptions from the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 or 
1 
the “Government Procurement Reform Act” and other relevant laws. 
2 
 
3 
Provided, that during public health emergency, the following shall be observed: 
4 
 
5 
a) Less stringent procurement procedures allowing negotiated procurement, 
6 
higher caps on allowable down payment for procurement of goods, supplies, 
7 
equipment and services; 
8 
 
9 
b) Authority to the DOST Secretary to approve advance payment of more than 
10 
15% for procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and services, for faster 
11 
facilitation; 
12 
 
13 
c) Simplified process for foreign procurement especially with specialized 
14 
equipment, reagents, and supplies not available in the Philippines; 
15 
 
16 
d) Exemption from customs duties and taxes for all VIP supplies and 
17 
equipment procured abroad; and, 
18 
 
19 
e) Exemption from taxes on income generated through training and other 
20 
delivery of services of VIP.”  
21 
 
22 
SEC. 20. Official Site of VIP. -  A lot with an area equivalent to at least five 
23 
(5) hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development 
24 
Authority (BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac shall be allocated 
25 
exclusively for the free use of for the Institute, its research facilities, and laboratories. 
26 
The biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based on risk assessment for handling 
27 
specific pathogens following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the 
28 
establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries. 
29 
 
30 
SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits.  - Qualified employees of the 
31 
VIP shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as “Magna Carta for 
32 
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in 
33 
Government”. 
34 
 
35 
SEC. 22. Virology Research Fund. - There is hereby created a Virology 
36 
Research Fund to be used and administered by the VIP following existing government 
37 
budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.  The Fund shall be sourced 
38 
from the following: 
39 
 
40 
a) The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (P 2,000,000,000.00) to be taken 
41 
from the 
42 
 
43 
b) current fiscal year’s appropriation,  in case the General Appropriation Act 
44 
(GAA) was approved before this law is enacted. 
45 
 
46 
c) The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and licensing 
47 
agreements. 
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- 10 - 
 
1 
d) Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether from local 
2 
or foreign sources. Provided, that acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions, 
3 
and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the approval of the 
4 
President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the DOST and Secretary 
5 
of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Secretary of DOST, with the 
6 
approval of the NEDA and subsequently, the Department of Finance (DOF), is 
7 
hereby granted the authority to enter into loan agreements with foreign financial 
8 
institutions. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Receive Donations, Grants and the Like. – 
11 
The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public or private domestic 
12 
or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, contributions or 
13 
other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal properties of all 
14 
kinds in favor and for the benefit of the VIP, which shall be exempt from donor’s tax 
15 
and shall all be part of the special account in the general fund managed by the 
16 
Department of Finance. 
17 
 
18 
The VIP shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use, maintenance 
19 
and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments, contributions or transfers and 
20 
the compliance of the terms and conditions thereon, if any, in accordance with pertinent 
21 
accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations. 
22 
 
23 
 
SEC. 24. Use of Income. - The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the income 
24 
generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants for the upgrading 
25 
if its physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its budget. 
26 
 
27 
 
SEC. 25. Mandatory Adoption of Publicly Funded Technologies.Mandatory 
28 
adoption of publicly funded and generated technologies developed by the VIP 
29 
whenever feasible and practicable, shall strictly be implemented by all government 
30 
entities or instrumentalities All national government agencies (NGAs), government-
31 
owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), 
32 
and local government units (LGUs) performing science and technology development 
33 
projects shall adopt publicly-funded technologies. 
34 
 
35 
 
SEC. 26. Annual Report. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to the 
36 
President and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both Chambers of 
37 
Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year following the effectivity of 
38 
this Act. The annual report shall provide a full and detailed account of the status of the 
39 
implementation of this Act and policy recommendations. 
40 
 
41 
 
SEC. 27. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – There shall be a Joint 
42 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of this Act, which shall be 
43 
jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of 
44 
the Senate and House of Representatives. It shall be composed of, as members, the 
45 
Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography and Agriculture, 
46 
Food and Agrarian Reform, the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health and Food 
47 
and Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and two others from each chamber of 
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Congress to be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of 
1 
Representatives. 
2 
 
3 
SEC. 28. Appropriations. - The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php 
4 
2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial operation fund of the VIP from 
5 
the current fiscal year’s appropriation. Thereafter, the amount needed for its operation 
6 
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
7 
 
8 
SEC.29. Transitory Provisions. –Upon the establishment of the VIP, the 
9 
functions and assets of the concerned DOH units shall be transferred to the VIP without 
10 
need of conveyance, transfer of assignment. 
11 
 
12 
(a) For the year, during which this Act was approved, the unexpended portion of the 
13 
budget of the offices and units transferred shall be utilized for establishing the 
14 
VIP and initiating its operations, including the formulation of the rules and 
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regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act. 
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(b) To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all 
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employees of the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed by the 
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VIP.  Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with appointments attested by 
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the CSC who may be affected by the transition of DOST units to VIP, or who 
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will not be absorbed in the new positions of the new staffing pattern of the 
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different offices in the VIP, shall have the option to: 
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(1) Be transferred to other units/offices within the DOST without reduction in 
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pay; or 
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(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as 
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provided by existing laws. 
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(c) Incumbent DOST officials and employees of affected DOST offices may be 
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considered as a VIP official or employee, subject to competency evaluation and 
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CSC regulations. 
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(d) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred units to VIP 
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shall be utilized solely for the grants’ intended purposes for each of the affected 
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units or offices. 
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(e) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices with third 
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parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid. 
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35 
SEC. 30. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOST Secretary, in 
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consultation with DBM, DOH, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant 
37 
government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within one 
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hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
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SEC. 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
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declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force 
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and effect. 
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44 


 
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SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or 
1 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed or modified accordingly. 
3 
 
4 
SEC. 32. Effectivity.  - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation in 
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the Philippines. 
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8 
 
9 
Approved, 
10