Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“290%

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Florida P. Robes

EX?! TORY

‘The Covid-19 pandemic caught the world by surprise and governments of
various countries scrambled to understand, manage, contain the emergence of this new
virus and its subvariants, while dealing with the economic consequences of necessary
interventions. As of July 26, 2022, there have been 576,383,099 Covid-19 cases
worldwide, 3,757,767 cases of which can be attributed to the Philippines.

‘The Philippines’ experience during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic showed
the gaps in government tesponse mechanisms owing to lack of research, vaccines,
locally produced antivirals, laboratories and equipment, most of which the government
had to import at higher prices due to the increased demand and decreased supply
worldwide. This bill aims to better equip the government to deal with the next virus
outbreak or pandemic by creating the Virology Institute of the Philippines which will
be an attached agency to the Department of Science and ‘I'echnology and will be the
foremost authority on virology, leading comprehensive study and scientific research on
the nature of viruses that affect humans, plants and animals

This bill likewise aims to expand our capabilities in developing, producing and
manufacturing locally produced vaccines and antivirals to be more self-reliant and less
dependent on foreign suppliers. Under the updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-
2022, in response to the needs of the New Normal, this bill is part of the ten-priotity
legislation to "vigorously advance science, technology and innovation". In President



erdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jt.’s State of the Nation Address 2022, this bill has
likewise been identified as part of the President's priority legislative agenda.

As a strong public health response to emerging, re-cmerging and exiting viral

; lives and protect the health of the Filipino populace, and
our flora and fauna, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

moxiher. ROBES



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2904

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Florida P. Robes

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — 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, the State shall formulate and implement policies that shall address
current health 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.

In this regard, the State shall prioritize the establishment of an institute that will
conduct in-depth studies on viruses and the genetic changes in their viral genome in
order to provide the scientific bases for the treatment of viral diseases in humans, plants
and animals, and for the formulation of policies that shall prevent the transmission of
diseases borne from viruses within the community and national context, and that will



raise the level of health of the Filipino and improve their social, economic, and cultural

conditions.

Section 3. Objectives. —- his Act secks to establish a virology institute that
shall focus on the following key development arcas for virology science and technology
applications in plants, animals, and human

a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular
biology and its application or biotechnology;

b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutic:

¢) 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; and,

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

Section 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria,
usually causing their disintegration or dissolution;

b) Biasaféty is the application of safety precautions that reduce a laboratory
personnes tisk of exposure to a potentially infectious microbe and
limit contamination of the work environment, and ultimately, the
community;

©) Biosafety erels are divided into four (4). Lach level has specific controls
for the containment of microbes and biological agents based on
internationally-nccepted safety standards. The primary risk that
determines the levels of containment are infectivity, severity of discase
transmissibility and the nature of the work conducted;

4d) Biosecurity 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;

e) Diaguosties refer to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in. viral
diagnosis for plants, animals and humans;

f) Therapentics refer to anti-viral, bacteriophages, nanotechnology
treatment approach, nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents,
drugs for the treatment of viral diseases and infections of plan

animals and humans;

2) Vacine rofers to a product that induces or stimulates active acquired
" producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps
tem to recognize and fight pathogens like virus

immunity
the body's immune s}
or bacteria; and

h) Virolagy refers to the scientific discipline concemed with the study of
the biology of vituses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human
merucal 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. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of
the Philippines. — The Virology Science and '‘lechnology Institute of the Philippines
(VIP) is hereby created and shall be an attached agency under the Department of
ience and Technology (DOS). ‘The DOST, in coordination with the Department of
culture and the Department of Health (DOT), shall promulgate policies for and
supervision and control over the VIP.

exercis

‘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 institutes and other organizations
in the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural,
industrial, clinical, and environmental importance.

Section 6. Mandate, — ‘Uhe 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. It shall 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 resources.

Section 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. —To accomplish its mandate, the
VIP shall have the following powers, functions, and duties

a) Serve as the lead convenor for the formulation of the National Virology
Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that
will encompass tesearch involving vituses of plant, animal and humans;

b) Undertake basic and applied research projects on zoological, botanical and
human infectious, non-infectious and other intractable diseases of viral
etiology with primary focus on their characterization, vector/reservoir
transmission, viral ecology, clinical _ virology, _ pathogenesis,
pathophysiology, and host immune response to these viral pathogens;

©) Provide reference services including all that are necessary for ensuring the
assay systems for diseases of viral etiology, industrial and technological
implications of virology and services involving the storing and supplying
pathogenic and non-pathogenic viral agents and their vectors and hosts,
standardizing reagents, preparing and supplying reference materials
necded for the diagnosis and surveillance of plant, animal and human
diseases;

$

4) Conduct viral disease surveillance program, collection, analysis, and
feedback and distribution of information on diseascs of viral etiolo;

©) Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics,
therapeutics, and vaccines in cooperation with relevant government
agencies, the private sector and coordinate research projects with other
rescarch institutions;

safety levels 1, 2, 3, and 4 research
tandard operating procedures

) Establish testing, reference and bi
laboratories, develop minimum standard:
and research protocols for virology laboratories which are fully compliant
with the provisions of this Act and the internationally-accepted guidelines
in the establishment and operation of the same;

g) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research
and development in collaboration with government agencies, industry,
and the academe;


h) Promote, advocate and oversee virology rescarch ethics, biosafety, and
biosecuri

)) 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 capabilitics in virology and
through human resource development, infrastructure,

relevant discipline
and institution building;

k) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related
studies on virology;

1) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and
technology; and,

m) Fstablish linkages with local and international partners.
Section 8. Organizational Structure. — ‘he 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 ‘herapeutics Research

3. Vaccines Research

4. Technical Services and ‘Training
5. Policy, Planning, and Linkages
6. Finance and Administration.

‘Vhe Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the

y do |
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
Kinance and Administration Divisions.

‘The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants.
‘The consultants may come ftom the public and private sectors on a consultancy ot
contractual basis and shall be granted honoraria or allowances in accordance with
existing nules and regulations.

Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),
the VIP shall determine its organizational structure, create new divisions of units as it
may deem necessaty, 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 and 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.

Each of the Deputy Directors of the VIP shall have a rank of Director III, SG-
27. Each must possess a Bachelor's Degrce in Microbiology or ina similar field and at
least a Master's Degree in Virology

Section 10. The Governing Board. —'The NAVCOR shall have the following
powers and functions: ‘The Governing Board shall be the policy-making body for the
scientific and technological activities of the VIP, composed of the following

A Chairperson who shall be the Secretary of the DOS ', and two Co-
Chairpersons who shall be the the Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) and
the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);


‘The members of the Governing Board shall be composed of the following:

a) Undersecretary of the Department of Lnvironment and Natural
Resources;

b) Undersecretary for ‘Technology for Research and Development of the

Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for

International Iconomic Relations;

d) President and CLO of the Philippine International ‘T'rading Corporation
(ITO;

©) Chairperson of the Commission on I igher Hducation (CHED);

Director of the Research Institute for ''ropical Medical Medicine (RITM);

Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);

Director of VIP;

Executive Director of University of the Philippincs-National Institute of

Health;

j) Representative from the National Academy of Science and ‘Technology;

k) Representative from the National Rescarch Council of the Philippin
and

1) Three (3) representativ

a

LY EBo

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 Sccretariat shall serve as the Secretariat to the Governing Board.

Section 11. Transfer of Units, Offices and Functions. — All offices and units
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 DOS' 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. Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. — ‘The
VIP may engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who shall work
together with the local scientists and experts, following the terms of reference and



compensation structure in accordance with Republic Act No. 11035 or the "Balik
Scientist Program Act" and other existing laws

Section 13. International Cooperation. —'W'he 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 which shall be in
compliance with existing laws, rules, regulations and issuances of the DFA. The OFA
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. Interdepartmental Cooperation. — ‘he VIP shall collaborate
with the DOH, Department of Finance, FDA, RITM and other relevant government
agencies, in accessing and mobilizing available information, reports, technical expertise,
and with the PITC for the import/export of equipment, materials and supplies as may
be requited 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
[merging 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). — ‘Vhe Department of
“rade and Industry (D1'1), the DOL, Public-Private Partnership Center and the DOST'
shall collaborate in secking 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 secking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main research and
development unit.

Section 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. — ‘Vhe DOST, in partnership
with the DTI and the DOH, shall jointly develop an industry roadmap for products
and services that can be created, improved, ot optimized by research from the VIP. As
far as practicable, the industry roadmap shall include the use of local materials in the
he industry developed or established resulting from

development of new produc



the VIP research shall be included in the national government's priority industries for
incentives,

Section 17. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer 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 colleg
(6UC3). Towards this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses
and programs, open internships and scholarships for qualificd students of higher
education institutions (ITEIs) and collaborate with [lils in the creation of virology
research centers.

‘Vhe CHED shall collaborate with the DOST' in the promotion of ITEI-VIP
partnerships.

Section 18. Protection of VIP-developed Intellectual Property. — 'Vhe
Governing 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 propctty right award granted to
the VIP shall be held by and in the nante 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. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment and
Services. —In coordination with the PTTC whose functions include ensuring the most
efficient and cost-effective procurement services for Government, the VIP shall
undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and s < 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 procurcment 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 alternative modality provided for by
Republic Act No. 9184 ot the "Government Procurement Reform Act" and its 2016
Revised IRR

vic

Section 20. Official Site of VIP. — \ lot with an arca 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 WHO for handling specific pathogens and the establishment of virology
laboratories in developing countries.

Section 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. — Qualified employees of
the VIP shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as "Magna Carta
for Scientists, Engineers, Reseatchers and Other Science and ‘Technology Personnel in
Government”.

Section 22. Virology Research Fund. — All donations, contributions, grants,
bequests, or gifts, in cash or in-kind, received by the VIP from various sources shall be
placed into a fund, to be known as the Virology Research Fund and such donations
shall be exempt ftom donor's tax: Provided, ‘hat, acceptance of grants, bequests,
contributions, and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the approval
of the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of
DOST and the Secretary of DFA.

Section 23. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations,
Grants, Gifts, Legacies, Endowments, and Contributions. — 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 all be part of the special account in the general
fund.

Section 24. Tax Exemptions. — Donations, grants, gifts, endowments,
legacies, and contributions used actually, directly and exclusively for the purpose of the
VIP shall be exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable
deduction from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the
donor, in accordance with Sec. 34 (I1)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code of
1997, as amended. Likewise, such other transfers of ownership and/or possession of
real or personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from all taxes.

Section 25. Annual Report. — 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 recommendations

Section 26. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. — There shall be a
Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of this Act, which
shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and


‘Lechnology of the Senate and House of Representatives. It shall be composed of the
Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on Health and Demography, and Agriculture,
Food and Agrarian Reform, the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health and
Agriculture and Foodof the House of Representatives, and two (2) Members fom cach
House representing the minority who shall be appointed by the Senate President and
the Speaker of the | louse of Representativ

Section 27. Appropriations. ~'lhe 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 28. Transitory Provisions. —

a. The functions and assets of the DOS units enumerated herein shall be
transferred to the VIP within three (3) years without need of conveyance and transfer
of assignment.

b. To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all
employees of the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed by the VIP.
Personnel hited 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:

1. 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.

d. Research grants acquired during the transition of DOS' transferred units to
VIP shall be utilized solely for the grants’ intended purposes for cach of the affected
units or offices.

c. Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices with
third parties priot to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.


Section 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. —'The DOST Secretary
shall, in 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.

Section 30. Separability Clause. — If any portion ot provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hercof shall remain in full force

and effect.

Section 31. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hercby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 34. Effectivity. —'This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,