Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 498

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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

Very few would have imagined in their lifetime to experience a global health crisis with as far
reaching effect as that brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the filing of this bill, the
country is still exerting its best efforts to contain the virus. Philippines is also at the top of the
active cases in Southeast Asia, and is heavily affecting the economy especially the poor.

New viruses always pose a public health management challenge. New viruses, as well as re-
emerging ones have affected the country in recent years. The affected includes plants and
animals. Several viruses affected Philippine crops such as rice tungro, papaya ringspot,
banana and abaca bunchy top and many others, Swine fiu is still affecting some of our
piggeries. These kinds of viruses have negative impacts on our food security.

The Philippines as a tropical country is a possible hotspot for viruses. Hence, it is important to
address this issue with our own research and development. This bill proposes a Research
Institute specifically delving into the field of virology. Our understanding of viruses would equip
us in preparation, response and containment.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is most earnestly sought.

NV fam
LUIS RAYMUND {LRAY?’/F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7494
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

ee

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.
Philippines (VIP) Act of 202

his Act shall be known as the "Virology Institute of the

SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State:

a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness
among them;

b) To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research, responsive
to the country's health needs and problems;

c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national development and
progress;

4) To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and

e) To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific a 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.


SECTION 3. Governing 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. Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and its
application or biotechnology.

b. Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics (Molecular Biotechnology)
c. International 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.

e Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of highly
infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean:

a. Virology — is the scientific discipline concemed 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 diagnosis for
humans, animals, and plants

c. 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

d) 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.

SECTION 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the
Philippines. To carry out the provisions of this Act, a research and development institute
under the Department of Science and Technology called the Virology Science and
Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) shall be created.

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.


SECTION 6. Mandate. The VIP 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.

SECTION 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. To accomplish its mandate, the 50 VIP
shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

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;

c. — 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;

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

f, 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;

g. 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; and

j. Establish linkages with local and international partners.

SECTION 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:

Virus Research
Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
Vaccines Research

Technical Services and Training

Policy, Planning, and Linkages

Finance and Administration

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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.

SECTION 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. Chairperson, Secretary of DOST

b. Co-chairperson, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST

c. Members:

i. Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH)

ii, Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture (DA)

il, Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Philippines
(CDC PHL)

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

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.



SECTION 13. Official Site of VIP. Alot 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.

SECTION 14. 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.

SECTION 15. 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 of the status of the implementation of this Act and recommended legislation,
where applicable and necessary.

SECTION 16. 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.

c. 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.

SECTION 17. 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 of
its physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its budget, in case of a
shortfall.

SECTION 18. Appropriations. The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php2,000,000,000.00) 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.


SECTION 19. 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.

SECTION 20. 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 stil subsist and
be given effect in their entirety.

SECTION 21. 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.

SECTION 22. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 12
publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation 13 in
the Philippines.

Approved,