Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

nouse BiLLNo. 6793 _

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) has caught the world
unprepared. Spreading exponentially, SARS-CoV? resulted in a global pandemic as millions
and millions of people contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Since its first
‘occurrence late last year, the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. The World
Health Organization (WHO) reported on 19 May 2020 (08:00 GMT+8) that there have been
4,735,622 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and out of this number, 316,289 died — this accounts
for a 6.68% fatality rate. In the Philippines, the Department of Health reported that as of 19
May 2020, 12,942 people were confirmed to have contracted the disease, and 837 of whom
died — giving us a fatality rate of 6.47%. This health crisis has also resulted in widespread social
and economic crises, the impacts of which were devastating, especially to the poor.

The ongoing outbreak presents many concerns, particularly on effective clinical and public
health management specially on novel viruses that cross the species barrier or what we call
zoonotic viruses. This is due to very few studies and limited information on viral pathogenesis;
risk factors for infection; the natural history of disease including clinical presentation and
outcomes; prognostic factors for severe illness; the period of infectivity; modes and extent of
virus inter-human transmission; effective preventive measures; and public health response and
containment interventions. As of writing, there is no antiviral treatment or vaccine available
for COVID-19 yet although fast track research and development efforts, including clinical
therapeutic trials, are ongoing across the world.

The country is also faced with problems on novel, emerging, reemerging, and enzootic viruses
affecting livestock and plants. For instance, the African swine fever (ASF), one of the most
severe and highly contagious viral diseases of pigs, has recently become prevalent in many
provinces in the country. While it has been said that ASF is not a risk to human health, it is
considered by the global veterinary society as one of the major threats to pig production, food
security, and biodiversity in the world. Unfortunately, no cure or vaccine currently exists for
this virus. There is also a constant threat from some more important viruses that can potentially
cause a future pandemic from zoonotic viruses such as influenza virus which often crosses the

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species barrier and mutates into a more deadly strain (swine flu, INI, H5N1, etc.) as the
Philippines is a tropical country and is a possible hotspot for zoonotic viruses jumping the
species barrier.

Equal attention should also be given to the viruses and viroids affecting many crops in the
country. Among the known virus diseases affecting Philippine crops are the rice tungro, papaya
ringspot, banana and abaca bunchy top, and tomato and squash mosaic and leaf curl. The
diseases cause substantial yield losses thus, creating negative impacts on food production and
food security.

These are issues that can only be addressed using science and technology, specifically through
research and development (R&D). It is therefore imperative that we establish a Research
Institute that delves into the study of viruses or the field of virology. The country needs
diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of the 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. Hence, this proposed measure.

The proposed measure shall serve as a complementary measure to House Bill No. 6096,
creating the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which shall tackle the public
health aspects of combatting infectious diseases. Ideally, the VIP shall provide R&D-based
solutions to the problems identified by the CDC in its Sudden-Onset Health Emergency
Management Plan. Together, these bills should serve as a foundation for a resolutely science-
based manner of addressing infectious diseases and epidemics.

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

JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BILLNo._® 793

Introduced by Representative JOEY SARTE SALCEDA

AN ACT

ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

INSTITUTE 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 Institute of the

Philippines (VIP) Act of 2020”.

a)
b)
°)
d)

°)

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~Itis 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:

a)

b)
°)

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

Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics (Molecular Biotechnology)
International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections

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) 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.

) 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 mean:

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 diagn
humans, animals, and plants

©) 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

4) 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.

for

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

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 Institute 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, 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 dutie:
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.
) 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.

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¢) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and technology for
use by both the public and private sectors.

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

2) 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

) Establish linkages with local and international partners.

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
©) Vaccines Research

d) Technical Services and Training

) 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 scientific and technological activities of the Institute. It shall be composed of
the following:

a) Chair, Secretary of DOST
b) Co-chair, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST
c) Members:
i, Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH)
Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture (DA)
Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Philippines (CDC PHL)

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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)
vii. 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. Interagency contribution of the VIP. - The findings of the VIP shall be
integrated in plans made by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, as
created by Executive Order No. 168, for the management of public health emergencies relating
to infectious diseases.

‘The findings of the VIP shall also be integrated in other plans relating to disease control
and prevention.

SEC. 14. 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. 15. 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. 16. 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

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of the status of the implementation of this Act and recommended legislation, where applicable
and necessary.

SEC. 17. 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 shall 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.

SEC. 18. 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 if its
physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its budget, in case of a shortfall.

SEC. 19. 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. 20. 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. 21. 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. 22. 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. 23. 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,

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