Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Mflnila
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousE isli,i No.  5912
Introduced by Representative CIRIACO 8. GATO, JR MD, FPSO-HNS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THH VIROLOGY INSTITUTH 0F THH PHILIPPINHS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
HXPLANATORY NOTE
As the pandemic surged across the globe, developing countries turned to the global vaccine
distribution program called "COVAX." But with delays and bans on exports, governments such
us ours struggled with access to these life-saving vaccines.
Thus,  the COVID-19 pandemic confronted us with  a grim reality:  we are at the mercy of
foreign sources when it comes to the security of our public health.
Local  production  of vaccines  is  critical  to  our  readiness  and  response  to  future  disease
outbreaks.   Our   experience   with   COVID-19   highlighted   the   importance   of  building   local
capacities to effectively respond to disease outbreaks. The rise of these diseases, especially those
that  affect  humans,   plants,   and  animals  highlights  the  need  to  develop  our  Research  and
Development  (R&D)  capacity  in  the  field  of virology.  Thus,  as  we build  our  expertise  in  this
field,   we   need   a   leading   research   and   development   institute   dedicated   to   diagnostics,
therapeutics, rehabilitation, and vaccine development.
With   our  pool   of  brilliant   Filipino   scientists  and   medical   experts  and  our  history  of
producing and exporting vaccines, our aspiration of producing our vaccines can be achieved. As
early as the I 900s, a large variety of sera and vaccines were already developed and kept in stock
in  the  serum  laboratory  of the  Bureau  of Science  in  the  Philippines.  The  laboratory  issued
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diphtheria,  plague,  and  tetanus  antitoxins.  By  1909,  it  was  offering  tuberculin;  vaccines  for
cholera,  anthrax.  gonococcus,  and  Staph.  aureus and  S.  albus;  and  sera for diphtheria,  cholera,
typhoid, plague,  and dysentery.  In  19]3.  it added an anti-meningococci serum to its growing list
of  vaccines.   A  vaccine  against  carcinoma  was   also  produced  from  pulverized  and   dried
carcinoma tissue  from  patients  in  the  wards  of the  Philippine  General  Hospital.  By  1918.  the
laboratory  was  producing  annually  enough  vaccines  to  vaccinate  two  million  people  against
smal,pox.I
Our  ability  to  control  the  spread  of diseases  through  public  health  measures  such  as  the
development  of vaccines and  other drugs will  clearly  define  how our country and people will
survive  future  outbreaks.   This  bill   therefore  envisions  the  establishment   of  the  country's
manufacturing facility for vaccines through the Philippine Virology Institute.
This proposed measure was approved by the House and transmitted to the Senate during the
18th Congress.
1 Warwick Anderson, Immunization and Hygiene in the Colonial Philippines, Journal of the History of Medicine and
Allied Sciences, Volume 62, Issue 1, January 2007, Pages 1-20,
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Republic of tlie Philippines
HOUSE OF RHPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HousHiliLNo§912
Introduced by Representative CIRIAC0 8. GATO, JR., MD, FPSO-HNS
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY INSTITUTE 0F THH PHILIPPINES ANI)
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress
assembled:
^9EC'rJtw J.  ^9foorr rl.I/a  - This  Act  shall  be known  as the "Virology Institute of the
Philippines (VIP) Act of 2022."
L9EcrJOIV 2. Dcc/ar#tr.oH a/Po/I.cj}. -It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
the  right  to  health  of  the  people  and  instill  health  consciousness  among  them.   The  State
recognizes that science and technology is essential for national development and progress.
To this  end,  State shall  formulate and  implement policies that  shall  address issues,  such  as the
quality and adequacy of health and medical human resources, health institutions, and delivery of
health   services,   and   shall   give   priority   to   research,   the   development   and   promotion   of
innovations  in both technology  and  services,  the use of safe  and  indigenous health-promoting
practices, and their appropriate utilization by the health sector.
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In this regard, the State shall prioritize the establishment of an institute that will conduct in-depth
studies  on  viruses  and  their  potential  disease-causing  agents  that  affect  people.  plants,  and
animals,  in  order  to  provide  the  scientific  bases  for  the  treatment  of viral  diseases,  and  for
formulation   of  policies   that   shall   prevent   the  transmission   of  these   diseases  within   the
community and national context.
SEcrJOIV 3.  OLjecfl.iJeLq. -This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall focus
on  the  following  key  development  areas  for  virology  science  and  technology  applications  in
plants, anjma]s, and humans:
a)  Research  on  viruses  using  a  modern  approach  such  as  molecular  biology  and  its
application or biotechnology;
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
c) Intematjonal 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; and,
e)  Operation  of a  virus  high  containment  laboratory  dedicated  to  the  study  of highly
infectious and hjgh]y pathogenic virus
SECTION 4. Definition Of Teri'I'Is. - Als used in tlris Alct..
a)   B¢cterl.opfe¢ge  refers  to  any  group  of viruses  that  infect  specific  bacteria,  usually
causing their disintegration or dissolution;
b)  B].usa/rty refers to a condition in which the probability of harng injury, and damage
resulting  from  the  intentional  and  unintentional  introduction  or  use  of a  regulated
article is within acceptable and manageable levels;
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c) BI.osccwH.ty refers to the strategic and integrated approach to analyzing and managing
relevant   risks   to   plant,   animal   and   human   life.   and   health   and   associated   risks   for  the
environment.  It is based on recognition of the critical  linkages between sectors and the potential
for hazards to move within and between sectors, with system-wide consequences;
d) Ding"o§fros refer to methods, tests. techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis for plants,
animals. and humans;
e) Re¢ge#f is any natural or synthetic substance used in a chemical or biological reaction
to produce, identify, or measure another substance;
f)  7lfecmpewtr.cs refer to  anti-viral,  bacteriophages,  nanotechnology treatment  approach,
nucleic  acid-based  treatment,  remedial  agents,  drugs  for  the  treatment  of viral  diseases  and
infections of plants, animals, and humans;
g)  yflccI.#c refers to  a product that  induces  or  stimulates  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; and
h)  ffroJog}; refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology of
viruses  and  viral  diseases  of  plant,   animal.   and  human  medical  importance  and  pandemic
potential, including the distribution, pathogenicity, viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology,
molecular  biology,   biotechnology,   ecology,   tropism,   spillover  or  interspecies  transmission,
evolution, and clinical aspects of viruses.
SECTION  5.  Creartion  Of the  Virology  Institute  Of the  Philip|)ines.  -   The V.ITohogy
Institute of the Philippines (VIP)  is  hereby  created  and  shall  be  an attached  agency under the
Department   of   Science   and   Technology   (DOST)   for   purposes   of  policy   and   program
coordination to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.  The DOST,  in coordination
with  the  Department  of Agriculture,  Department  of Health  (DOH),  and  the  Department  of
Environment   and  Natural   Resources   (DENR),   shall   promulgate   policies   for   and   exercise
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supervision and control over the Institute.
The  VIP  shall  serve  as the premier research  and  development  institute  in  the  field  of
virology,  encompassing all kinds of viruses and viral diseases in plants. animals, and humans.  It
shall  be  a venue  for  scientists,  research  and  academic  institutes  and  other organizations  in the
Philippines  and  abroad,  to  work  collaboratively  to  study  viruses  of  agricultural,   industrial,
clinical, and environmental importance.
^9ECITOIV 6.  A4l¢#(fore.  -  The  VIP  shall  also  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.
L9EcrJOIV 7. Powers, F##c.tr.o#s, &#d D#fJ.e^S. - To accomplish its mandate, the VIP shall
have the following powers, functions, and duties:
a)   Serve  as  the  lead  convener  for the  formulation  of the  National  Virology  Research
Agenda,   in  consultation  with  all  concerned  stakeholders,  which  will  encompass
research involving viruses of plant, animal and humans;
b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development (R&D) in the field of
virology;
c)  Conduct product  research and  development  in the areas  of diagnostics,  therapeutics,
and vaccines in cooperation with the private sector and concerned government agencies;
d) Promote, advocate, and oversee virology research ethics, biosafety, and biosecurity;


e)   Promote   and   undertake   the   transfer   of  the   results   of  scientific   research   and
development in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and the academe;
I) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and technology;
g)  Develop and  maintain an information system on virology science and technology for
use by both the public and private sectors;
h)  Develop  and  implement,  together  with  the  other  entities  concerned,  programs  for
strengthening   scientific   and  technological   capabilities   in   virology   and   relevant   disciplines
throu'gh human resource development, infrastructure, and institution building;
i)  Establish  testing,  reference  and  biosafety  for  research  laboratories  which  are  fully
compliant  with  the  provisions  of this  Act  and  the  internationally  accepted  guidelines  in  the
establishment and operation of the same;
j)  Conduct  viral  disease  surveillance  program,  collection,  analysis,  and  feedback  and
distribution of information on diseases of viral etiology;
k)  Comprehensively  coordinate  the  planning  and  implementation  of research  projects,
approve liaison and coordination with relevant governmental agencies,  and coordinate research
projects with other research institutions;
I) Assist national authorities in the planning, organization, and supervision of the virology
laboratory network;
in) Assess the needs and impart training to the staff of other virology laboratories in the
country in quality testing for viral pathogens;
n)  Validate  modern  technologies  that  may  become  available  and  recommend  their
implementation in the country;
o) Develop minimum standards, standard operating procedures and research protocols for
virology laboratories and assist virology laboratories in their implementation of the same;


p)  Collaborate  with  the  World  Health  Organization  (WHO)  and  other  international
agencies in virology research and technical matters pertaining to improvement of laboratories;
q)  Create  within  the  Institute  various  divisions  that  will  spearhead  basic  and  applied
molecular biological research and reference activities in arbovirology, emerging and reemerging
viral   diseases,   neurovirology,   herpes   virology,   enteric   virology,   tumor   virology,   hepatitis
virology, acute viral respiratory infections and cytokines, viral genomics and molecular genetics
and biosafety control studies of viruses, among others;
r) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the management and operation of virology
laboratories in the country as well as its rules of engagement;
s)  Provide grants,  research  fund,  materials,  and  equipment  for the  conduct  of virology
research by both public and private higher education institutions; and
t) Establish linkages with local and international partners.
^9ECTJOIV 8.  Orgr#i.z¢froH¢/ L9#wcfwre. - The VIP shall be headed by a Director and two
(2) Deputy Directors for Research and Development, and Support, Policy, and Linkages.
The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions:
1.   Virus Research
2. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
3.   Vaccines Research
4.   Technical Services and Training
5.  Policy, Planning, and Linkages


6.  Finance and Administration.
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations of the
Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines Research Divisions. The
Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall oversee the operations of the Technical
Services   and  Training,   Policy,   Planning,   and  Linkages,   and  Finance  and  Administration
Divisions.
The  VIP  shall  have  technical  and  administrative  support  staff and  consultants.  The
consultants may come from the public and private sectors on a consultancy or contractual basis
and shall be granted honoraria or allowances in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the VIP
shall  determine  its  organizational  structure,  create  new  divisions  or  units  as  it  may  deem
necessary, and appoint its officers and employees.
For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM, determine the necessary
position  qualifications  and  standards  for its personnel  following  civil  service  laws,  rules,  and
regulations.
SECTION 9. Qualifications of the VIP Director and Deputy Directors. - Upon the
recommendation  of the  Governing  Board,  the  President  of the  Philippines  shall  appoint  the
Director of the VIP who must possess a bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology, must be a
medical doctor, with a postgraduate degree in virology and should have at least three (3) years
experience in the field of diagnostic virology.  The Director of the VIP shall have the rank of
Director IV, Salary Grade (SG)-28, and shall exercise overall responsibility over the activities of
the VIP, including the supervision over VIP staff.  The Director of the VIP shall report to the
President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Secretary of the Department of Science and
Technology the results of the various diagnostic assays and research studies undertaken by the
VIP.
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Each of the Deputy Directors of the VIP shall  have a rank of Director HI,  SG-27. Each
must  possess  a bachelor's  degree  in Microbiology  or in  a  similar field  and  at  least  a  master's
degree in Virology.
^`'EcrJt)IV  JO.   7lrfec  Got)cr"I.#g  Board  -  The  Governing  Board  shall  be  the  policy-
making  body  for  the  scientific   and  technological   activities  of  the  VIP,   composed  of  the
following:
Chairperson:
a) Secretary of the DOST;
Co-Chairpersons:
b) Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH);
c) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture
d) Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Members:
e) Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the DOST;
D  Undersecretary  of the  Department  of Foreign  Affairs  (DFA)  for  International  Economic
Relations;
g) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
h) Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine (RITM);
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i) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
j) Director of VIP;
k) Executive Director of university of the Philippines-National Institute of Health;
I) Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology;
in) Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines; and
n) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the President of the Philippines,
as nominated by the Governing Board. These representatives shall have distinguished themselves
in  the  fields  of medical  virology,  genomics,  plant  virology,  animal  virology,  epidemiology,
genetic engineering, and other related disciplines.
The VIP Secretariat shall serve as the Secretariat to the Governing Board.
SECTION 11. Transifer Of Units, Offices and Functions.  -A!Il offices a;nd urfus under
the DOST system which functions are related to virology shall be transferred to the VIP.
All powers. functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment and facilities
of the DOST units or its division  shall be transferred to the VIP.  The DOST  shall  conduct  an
audit and inventory of assets, liabilities and human resources of the transferred offices and units
under the DOST system to the VIP. All transferred and new employees under the DOST System
shall be subject to the qualification standards provided for in the laws, rules, and regulations of
the Civil Service Commission.
SECTION  12. EngoLgemeut  Of Ralik  Scieritists  and  Foreign  Experts.  -The VTR  may
engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who shall collaborate with the local
scientists and experts, following the terms of reference and compensation structure in accordance
with Republic Act No.11035 or the "Batik Scientist Program Act" and other existing laws.
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SEcrJOIV   Jj.   J#fer#aft.oj!oJ   Cooperafl.o#.    -   The   VIP   shall   establish   strategic
partnerships  with  the  world's  leading  scientists,  virology  centers  and  institutes,  and  conduct
innovative and pioneering research that will  advance the frontiers of virology in the country.  It
may enter into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with international partners` upon
the approval of its Governing Board and in compliance with existing laws. rules, regulations, and
issuances of the DFA. The DFA shall provide legal and other forms of assistance to the VIP.
The Regional  Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Philippines  shall
also be consulted upon approval of the Governing Board of the VIP.
SECTION  14.  Interdapartmental  Coaperation.  -  The VIP  she+\  collaborate w.ith the
DOH DFA, FDA, RITM and other relevant government agencies,  in accessing and mobilizing
available information,  reports. technical  expertise,  equipment,  materials and  supplies as may be
required to implement this Act.
The  scientific  findings  of the  VIP  shall  be  integrated  in  other plans relating to  disease
control and prevention and in the plans of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious
Diseases,   as  created  by  Executive  Order  No.   168   s.   2014,   or  its  successor  body,   for  the
management of public health emergencies relating to infectious diseases.
SECTION  15.  Private-Public  Partnerships  (PPPs).  -The Dapan:meat  o£ T[aide  a;nd
Industry (DTI). the DOH, Public-Private Partnership Center and the DOST shall collaborate in
seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of new industries, products, and
services where the VIP shall be the main research and development unit.
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local government agencies in
seeking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main research and development unit.
SECTION 16.  Itomotion  Of Virology Industry.  -The DOST. .in partnership with the
DTI and the DOH,  shall jointly develop an industry roadmap for products and services that can
12


be created, improved, or optimized by research from the VIP.  As far as practicable, the industry
roadmap  shall  include  the  use  of local  materials  in  the  development  of new  products.  The
industry  developed  or  established  resulting  from  the  VIP  research  shall  be  included  in  the
national government's priority industries for incentives.
SECTION 17.  Promotion Of Knowledge-transifer and Research in the Academe. -The
VIP shall promote the creation of hubs and programs for virology research and development in
the academe,  particularly  in  state universities  and  colleges (SUCs).  Towards this end,  the VIP
shall  assist  SUCs  in  the  creation  of  virology  courses  and  programs,  open  intemships.  and
scholarships for qualified  students of higher education institutions (HEls) and collaborate with
IHls in the creation of virology research centers.
The CRED shall collaborate with the DOST in the promotion of llEI-VIP partnerships.
SECTION  18.  Protection  Of  VIPLdeveloped  Intellectual  Praperty.  -  The  GoverTing,
Board of the Vip shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by the VIP with full
funding  from  Filipino  taxpayers  shall  be  protected  by  intellectual  property  laws  in  accordance
with Republic Act No.  10055  or the "Technology  Transfer Act of 2009"  and  other applicable
laws. Any patent or property right award granted to the VIP shall be held by and in the name of
the Philippine Government. In the case of partnerships, where the VIP is a collaborating research
partner, the Governing Board  shall  ensure that technologies co-developed by the VIP shall  also
be co-attributed to the Philippine Government, with the corresponding intellectual protection.
SECTION  19.  Ptocuremeut Of Specialized Materials,  Equipnent and Services.  -The
VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and services to be used
by the VIP  in  its  operation  and administration,  in the  most expeditious manner,  and  adopt the
most suitable or appropriate method of procurement that it deems fit based on its identified needs
and requirements depending on the existing conditions and requirements that justify the use of a
particular  altemative  modality  provided  for  by  Republic  Act  No.  9184  or  the  "Government
Procurement Reform Act" and its 2016 Revised IRR.
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SEC7TOIV 20.  Ojj7icl.a/ SJ./e a/ ITP. -  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 Province shall be allocated exclusively for the
VIP, its research facilities, and laboratories. The biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based
on risk assessment standards and guidelines of the WI.IO for handling specific pathogens and the
establishment of virology laboratories in developing countries.
SECTION 21. Entitlei'I!.ent to Magna Carla Benef its. -Qndified ermphoryees Of I:he VIP
shall be covered by Republic Act No.  8439, otherwise known as "Magma Carta for Scientists,
Engineers,  Researchers  and  Other  Science  and  Technology  Personnel  in  Government,"  as
anended.
SECTION 22. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Domitions, Grants, Gifts,
£cgacl.cs, E#dowmc#/s, a#d Co"/ri.b#fo#s. - The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive
from  any  public  or  private  domestic  or  foreign  sources  legacies,  gifts,  donations,  grants,
endowments, contributions, or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal
properties of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the VIP, which shall be released in a timely
manner to address an existing or emerging public emergency or consistent with the urgent nature
of VIP mandate and functions subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules
and regulations.
SEcrJOIV 23. A##w¢/ jRcparf. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to the President
and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both Houses of Congress, not later than the
30th of March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The annual report shall provide
a  full  and  detailed  account  of  the  status  of  the  implementation  of  this  Act  and  policy
recorrmendations.
SECTION  24.  Joint  Congressional  Oversight  Committee.  - Thone  shaalll be  aL Iofmit
Congressional Oversicht Committee on the implementation of this Act, which shall be jointly
chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and
House of Representatives. It shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on
14


Health and Demography, and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Refom, the Chairpersons of the
Committees on Health and Agriculture and Food of the House of Representatives, and two (2)
Members  from  each  House  representing  the  minority  who  shall  be  appointed by  the  Senate
President and the Specter of the House of Representatives.
SEC7TOIV 25. 4zproprl.¢tr.o#s.  - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 26. Transitory Provisions. -
a.  The  functions  and  assets  of the  DOST  units  enumerated  herein  shall  be
transfeITed to the VIP within three (3) years without need of conveyance and transfer of
assigrment.
b. To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, the VIP
shall absorb all employees of the affected offices, agencies, and units. Persomel hired on
a permanent basis and with appointments attested by the CSC who may be affected by
the transition of DOST units to VIP, or who will not be absorbed in the new positions of
the new staffing pattern of the different offices in the VIP, shall have the option to:
I.Be transferred to other units or offices within the DOST in accordance
with civil service law, rules, and regulations; or;
2.Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as
provided under R.A. No. 6656 and other relevant laws.
c.  Incumbent  DOST  officials  and  employees  may  be  considered  to  assume
positions in the VIP, subject to competency evaluation and CSC regulations.
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d.  Research  grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred units to
VIP  shall  be  utilized  solely  for the  grants'  intended  purposes  for  each  of the
affected units or offices.
e. Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices with third
parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.
SECTION 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOST Secretary shdil, .Tn
consultation  with  DBM,  DOH,  Civil  Service  Commission,  and  other  relevant  government
agencies, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within one hundred twenty ( 120) days
from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC7Tt7IV 28. Sep¢rabi./rty CJ¢usc.  - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC7TOIV 29. Repco/i.#g Cyausc.  - 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.
SECITOIV 30. EJLTec/I.tJrty. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication in the Official  Gazette or in a newspaper of general  circulation,
unless otherwise provided.
Approved,
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