Sixteenth Congress of the 
Republic of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 958 
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'13 
JUL 18 1'6 :01 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish the center for Animal Vaccine and Disease Diagnostic 
Research and Development for the detection, control and eradication of the foot and mouth 
disease 
(FMD), 
rabics, 
hemorrhagic 
septicemia, 
hog 
cholera, 
bovine 
spongiforrn 
encephalomyelitis (mad cow disease) and other animal diseases. 
The FMD was introduced into the Philippines in 1902 from Hong Kong. Since then, 
FMD has been reported virtually every year in the Philippines, reaching epidemic proportions in 
Luzon in 1995, threatening some 5.6 million heads of cattle, carabao and pigs. On June 5, 1995, 
President Fidel Ramos issued E. O. 251, declaring Luzon as a Calamity Area as a result of the 
Foot and Mouth Disease, rationalizing Public Safety Measures for the eradication ofthe Foot and 
Mouth Disease in the country. The economic losses incurred by the livestock industry is 
estimated at P2 billion. 
Many opportunities for our domestic livestock enterprises to export meat and livestock 
products to other countries have been frustrated by the fact that some parts of the Philippines, 
particularly Luzon is still to be declared as FMD free by the Office International des Epizooties 
(OlE). 
, 
. 
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The programs of the Department of Agriculture to provide regular massive vaccination as 
one of the main components of animal disease prevention and control is constrained by its total 
dependence on imported animal vaccines. In 1995 alone, total imports of vaccines reached US 
$3.1 million. This bill seeks to re-enforce the programs and efforts of the Department of 
Agriculture (DA) jointly with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to develop 
our domestic capability to produce livestock vaccines and offer better diagnostic research and 
services to our livestock farms allover the country. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
G REVILLA, JR. 
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' 
Sixteenth Congress of the 
Republic of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SrrtlIir 
10fh:r of tile- !;-rr-ubtrV 
'13 
JUL 18 "6 :01 
flY: ~_ 
--0- \': 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 958 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTER FOR ANIMAL 
VACCINE AND DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o/Representatives o/the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Establishment of the Center for Animal Vaccine aud Disease 
Diagnostic Research and Development. -There shall be established, under the supervision of 
the Department of Agriculture, a Center for Animal Vaccine and Disease Diagnostic Research 
and Development, hereinafter referred to as the Center. 
SECTION 2. Purpose of the Center. -The Center shall have the following purposes: 
a) Develop and contract the local manufacture of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) viral 
vaccine for the prevention ofFMD; 
b) Develop modified live hog cholera viral vaccine for the prevention of classical swine 
fever; 
c) Develop Pasteurella Multodica Bacerin for the prevention of hemorrhagic septiciemia in 
cattle, carabao, goat, and sheep; 
d) Develop other animal vaccines such as rabies viral vaccine, pseudorabies viral vaccine, 
swine respiratory and pOUltry vaccine; 
e) Develop bacterial vaccine for the prevention of swine respiratory disease complex and 
enteric diseases; 
f) Develop animal disease diagnostics for laboratory and field use; 
g) Provide continuing education and training in animal health management systems; and 
h) Develop print and video-audio information guides for the livestock industry in support of 
viral and bacterial vaccines developed and manufactured throughout the Center. 
SECTION 3. Board of Trustees. • The Center shall be administered by a Board of 
Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be headed by the Secretary of Agriculture as 
Chairman, and the Secretary of Science and Technology as Vice-chairman, and five members, 
three of whom shall come from the private veterinary medical sector who shall be appointed by 
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three of whom shall come from the private veterinary medical sector who shall be appointed by 
the President of the Philippines. The Director of the Center shall also serve as an ex-officio 
member. No person shall be appointed Chairman, Vice-chairman or member of the Board unless 
he is a natural-born Filipino citizen, of good moral character and unquestionable integrity, and of 
recognized competence in the veterinary profession. 
The appointive members of the Board shall serve a term of five (5) years. Of the first 
appointed, two shall serve for five (5) years, the other two (2) members for four (4) years, and 
the last member, for three (3) years, which terms shall be specified in their respective 
appointments. In case of vacancy among the appointive members, the successor shall be 
appointed to serve the unexpired term of the member replaced. 
The compensation of the appointed member shall be fixed by the President of the 
Philippines. 
SECTION 4. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the following 
powers and functions: 
a) Formulate policies and adopt measures which are necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act; 
b) Prescribe, amend and repeal with the approval of the Secretary, rules and regulations 
governing the operation ofthe Center: 
c) Provide for the appointment and removal of such personnel as may be necessary for 
the effective operation ofthe Center: and 
d) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act. 
SECTION 5. Quorum. - A majority of all the members of the Board shall constitute a 
quorum to officially transact its business. 
SECTION 6. Director of the Center. - The Center shall have a Director who shall be its 
Chief Executive Officer. He shall have the following powers and duties: 
a) To prepare the agenda for the meetings of the Board and to submit policies and other 
important matters for the consideration of the Board; 
b) To execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the Board; and 
c) To direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the Center. 
The Director shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the 
recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture and may be removed for cause. He shall serve 
for a term of five (5) years. 
No person shall be appointed as Director unless he has extensive experience in the 
veterinary profession and is of unquestionable integrity and honesty. 
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SECTION 7. Staffing Pattern. - The Board shall provide the staffing pattern for the 
Center and may authorize the Director to appoint, with the Board's approval and subject to Civil 
Service Rules and Regulations, such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this Act. 
SECTION 8. Appropriations. - The amount of Fifty-Eight Million Pesos (P58,OOO,OOO) 
for the initial operation of the Center shall be charged to the appropriations of the Department of 
Agriculture, Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued operation ofthe Center 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations and 
other issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed modified, revoked or 
repealed accordingly, 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any section or provision of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect 
SECTION 11. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) leading newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved, 
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