NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 1818
'ic-'Sliicf of tin- fc- n rtai'p
23 JAN 31 P3S1
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES ACT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
During the pandemic, the Philippines has faced significant challenges in terms 
of vaccine distribution and administration, shortage, and limited capabiiities in terms 
of research and deveiopment. The establishment of the Virology and Vaccine Institute 
of the Philippines (VIP) wouid address these challenges by providing a centralized 
location for research and production of vaccines, antiviral drugs, and diagnostic tests 
for viral diseases.
Moreover, by having its own facilities conducting relevant studies, the country 
wouid be iess dependent on foreign sources and have more control over its public 
health. The VIP would also provide a centraiized iocation for surveillance and 
monitoring of infectious illnesses, which is critical for early detection and rapid 
response to outbreaks.
This bill seeks to establish the VIP as an attached agency of the Department of 
Science and Technology (DOST) and it shall serve as a premier research and 
development institute in the fieid of virology in the country to strengthen our capacity 
to address health emergencies, among others.


With enough safeguards to protect the rights of 
this bill is earnestly sought. 
X
affy T. Tulfo
"^Senator ^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S.B. No
SENATE 
1818
of the piar^
23 JAN 31 P3 51
RECEIVtDBV.
Introduced by: Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Virology and Vaccine
2 
Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
5 
The State recognizes that science and technology is essential for national development
6 
and progress.
7 
To this end, the State shail formulate and implement policies that shall address
8 
current health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health resources including
9 
human resources for health, health institutions, and delivery of health services, and
10 
shall give priority to research, the development and promotion of innovations in both
11 
technology and services, the use of safe and indigenous health-promoting practices,
12 
and their appropriate utilization by health sector.
13 
In this regard, the State shall formulate and implement policies that shall
14 
address current health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health resources
1


1 
including human resource for health, health institutions, and delivery of health
2 
services, and shall give priority to research, the development and promotion of
3 
innovations in both technology and services, the sue of safe and indigenous health-
4 
promoting practices, and their appropriate utilization by the health sector.
5 
Sec. 3. Objectives. -This Act seeks to establish a virology and vaccine institute
6 
that shall focus on the following key science and technology applications:
7 
a) Research on viruses and other pathogens using a modern approach such as
8 
molecular biology and its application on biotechnology and bioinformatics;
9 
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics on viruses and other
10 
pathogens;
11 
c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections;
12 
d) Operation of a virology laboratory, virus gene bank and virus genome
13 
laboratory, to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease
14 
prevention and epidemiological studies; and
15 
e) Operation of a virus high-containment laboratory dedicated to the study of
16 
highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.
17 
Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this act:
18 
(a) Bacteriophage - refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria,
19 
usually causing their disintegration or dissolution;
20 
(b) Body-worn - Camera refers to a condition in which the probability of harm,
21 
injury and damage resulting from the intentional and unintentional introduction
22 
or use of a regulate article is within acceptable and manageable levels;
23 
(c) Biosecurity - refers to the strategic and integrated approach to analyzing and
24 
managing relevant risks to plant, animal and human life, and health and
25 
associated risks for the environment. It is based on recognition of the critical
26 
linkages between sectors and the potential for hazards to move within and
27 
between sectors, with system-wide consequences;
28 
(d) Diagnostics - refer to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis
29 
for plants, animals and humans;
30 
(e) Therapeutics - refer to anti-viral, bacteriophages, nanotechnology treatment
31 
approach, nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the
32 
treatment of viral diseases and infections of plants, animals and humans.


1 
(f) Vaccine - refers to a product that induces or stimulates active acquired
2 
immunity by producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps the
3 
body's immune system, to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or
4 
bacteria; and
5 
(g) Virology - refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the
6 
biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human medical
7 
importance and pandemic potential, including the distribution, pathogenicity,
8 
viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology,
9 
ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical
10 
aspects of viruses.
11 
Sec. 5. Creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines. - The
12 
Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created and shall be
13 
attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy
14 
and program coordination and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
15 
The VIP shall serve the premier research and development institute in the field
16 
of virology, encompassing all kinds of viruses and viral disease in plants, animals and
17 
humans. It shall also be a venue for scientists, research institutes and other
18 
organizations in the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of
19 
agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance.
20 
Sec. 6. Mandate. - The VIP shall implement policies, plans, programs, and
21 
projects for the development of virology science and technology in the country and
22 
the promotion of scientific and technological activities for both the public and private
23 
sectors. It shall ensure that the results of these activities are properly applied towards
24 
self-reliance and utilized to accelerate economic and social development towards the
25 
protection of the citizens.
26 
Sec. 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. -To accomplish its mandate, the VIP
27 
shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
28 
a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the Nationai Virology
29 
Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that will
30 
encompass researches involving viruses of plant, animal and humans;


1 
b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development in the field of
2 
virology;
3 
c) Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics,
4 
therapeutics, and vaccines in cooperation with the private sector and concerned
5 
agencies;
6 
d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and
7 
development in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and the
8 
academe;
9 
e) Promote, advocate and oversee virology research ethics, biosafety, and
10 
biosecurity;
11 
f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and
12 
technology for use by both the public and private sectors;
13 
g) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs for
14 
strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology and relevant
15 
disciplines through human resource development, infrastructure, and institution
16 
building;
17 
h) Undertake policy research, and other related studies on virology;
18 
i) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;
19 
j) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and
20 
technology
21 
k) Establish linkages with local and international partners; and
22 
I) Assume additional functions such as the conduct of clinical research or trials
23 
and other incidental works, as may be deemed appropriate.
24 
Sec. 8. Organizational Structure. - The VIP shall be headed by a Director and
25 
two (2) Deputy Directors for Research and Development, and Support, Policy, and
26 
Linkages.
27 
The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants.
28 
The consultants may be selected from the public and private sectors and shall serve
29 
on a contractual basis. They shall be granted honoraria or allowances in accordance
30 
with existing rules and regulations


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Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the 
VIP shall determine its organizational structure and staffing pattern, subject to the 
existing compensation and position classification system and civil service rules and 
regulations.
Sec. 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. The Director must possess;
a) a bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology or any other specialization;
a postgraduate degree in virology or any other related fields; and
c) at least three (3) years work experience in the field of 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 
Philippines and the Secretary of the DOST 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. The Deputy Director for Research and Development must possess a Bachelor's 
Degree in Microbiology or in a similar field and at least a Master's Degree in Virology. 
The Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages must possess a Bachelor's 
degree and a Master's degree relevant to the position.
21 
Sec. 10. The Governing Board. - The VIP shall have a Governing Board which
22 
shall be the policymaking body for the scientific and technological activities of the VIP.
23 
It shall be composed of the following:
24
Chairperson:
25
Secretary of the DOST;
26
Co-Chairpersons:


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Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) 
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA)
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Members:
Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources;
Undersecretary of Research and Development of the DOST; 
Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for 
International Economic Relations;
Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RTTM);
Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
Director of VIP;
Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute of 
Health;
Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology; 
Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines;
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.
Sec. 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.
27 
All powers, functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment
28 
and facilities of the DOST units or its division shall be transferred to the VIP. The DOST


1 
shall conduct an audit and inventory of assets, liabilities and human resources of the
2 
transferred offices and units under the DOST system to the VIP.
3 
All transferred and new employees under the DOST System shall be subject to
4 
the qualification standards provided for by law, and by the rules and regulations of
5 
the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
6 
Sec. 12. Engagement of Batik Scientists and Foreign Experts. - The VIP may
7 
engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who shall work together
8 
with the local scientists and experts, following the terms of reference and
9 
compensation structure in accordance with Repubiic Act No. 11035 or the "Balik
10 
Scientist Act" and other existing laws.
11 
Sec. 13. Internationai Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish strategic
12 
partnerships with the world's leading scientists and virology centers and institutes,
13 
and conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will advance the frontiers of
14 
virology in the country. It may enter into a memorandum of agreement or
15 
understanding with international partners, upon the approval of its Governing Board
16 
and in compliance with existing laws, rules, regulations and issuances of the DFA. The
17 
DFA shall provide the VIP advice and assistance on drafting and negotiations of
18 
international legal instruments.
19 
The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Philippines,
20 
World Organization for Animal Health and other relevant international organizations
21 
shall also be consulted upon approval of the Governing Board of the VIP.
22 
Sec. 14. Interdepartmentai Cooperation. - The VIP shall collaborate with the
23 
DOH, Department of Finance, FDA, RITM and other relevant government agencies, in
24 
accessing and mobilizing available information, reports, technical expertise,
25 
equipment, materials and supplies as may be required to implement this Act.
26 
The Scientific findings of the VIP shall be integrated in other plans relating to
27 
disease control and prevention and in the plans of the Inter Agency Task Force for the
28 
Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order No. 168


1 
s. 2014, or its successor body, for the management of public health emergencies
2 
relating to infectious diseases.
3 
Sec. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs). - The Department of Trade and
4 
Industry (DTI), the DOH, DA, Public-Private Partnership Center and the DOST shall
5 
collaborate in seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of new
6 
industries, products and services where the VIP shali be the main research and
7 
development unit.
8 
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local
9 
government agencies in seeking PPPs.
10 
Sec. 16. Promotion of the Virology Industry. - The DOST shall, in partnership
11 
with the DOH, DA and the DTI, jointly develop an industry roadmap for products and
12 
services that can be created, improved, or optimized by research from the VIP. As far
13 
as practicable, the industry roadmap shall include the use of local materials in the
14 
development of new products. The industry developed or established resulting from
15 
the VIP researches shall be included in the national government's priority industries
16 
for incentives.
17 
Sec. 17. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer and Research in the Academe. - The
18 
VIP shall promote the creation of hubs and programs for virology research and
19 
development in the academe, particularly in state universities and colleges (SUCs). To
20 
this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses and programs,
21 
open internships and scholarships for qualified students of higher education
22 
institutions (HEIs), and collaborate with HEIs in the creation of virology research
23 
centers.
24 
The CHED shall collaborate with the DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP
25 
partnerships.
26 
Sec. 18. Protection of VIP-developed Intellectual Property. - The Governing
27 
Board of the VIP shali ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by the VIP
28 
with full funding from Filipino taxpayers shall be protected by intellectual property laws
29 
in accordance with Republic Act No. 10055, also known as the "Philippine Technology


1 
Transfer Act of 2009," and other applicable laws. Any patent or property right award
2 
granted to the VIP shall be held by and in the name of the Philippine Government. In
3 
the case of partnerships, where the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the
4 
Governing Board shall ensure that technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be
5 
co-owned by the Philippine Government, and correspondingly accorded intellectual
6 
property protection under the law.
7 
Sec. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment, and Services. - The
8 
VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and services
9 
to be used by the VIP in its operation and administration, in the most expeditious
10 
manner, and adopt the most suitable or appropriate method of procurement that it
11 
deems fit based on its identified needs and requirements depending on the existing
12 
conditions and requirements that justify the use of a particular alternative modality
13 
provided for by Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the "Government
14 
Procurement Reform Act" and its 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.
15 
Sec. 20. Official Site of VIP. - A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5)
16 
hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
17 
within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac Province shall be allocated exclusively
18 
for the VIP, its research facilities, and laboratories. The biosafety infrastructure shall
19 
be designed based on risk assessment standards and guidelines of the WHO for
20 
handling specific pathogens and the establishment of virology laboratories in
21 
developing countries.
22 
Sec. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. - Qualified employees of the VIP
23 
shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for
24 
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S & T Personnel in the Government," as
25 
amended.
26 
Sec. 22. Virology Research Fund. - All donations, contributions, grants,
27 
bequests, or gifts, in cash or in-kind, received by the VIP from various sources shall
28 
be placed into a fund, to be known as the Virology Research Fund, and such donations
29 
shall be exempt from donor's tax: Provided, That acceptance of grants, bequests,
30 
contributions, and donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the


1 
approval of the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the
2 
Secretary of the DOST and the Secretary of the DFA.
3 
Sec. 23. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, Gifts,
4 
Legacies, Endowments, and Contributions. - The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and
5 
receive from any public or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts,
6 
donations, grants, endowments, contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or
7 
possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor of and for the benefit of
8 
the VIP, which shall be released in a timely manner to address an existing or emerging
9 
public emergency or consistent with the urgent nature of VIP mandate and functions,
10 
subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
11 
Sec. 24. Tax Exemptions. - Donations, grants, gifts, endowments, legacies, and
12 
contributions used actually, directly and exclusively for the purpose of the VIP shall be
13 
exempt from donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction
14 
from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor, in
15 
accordance with Sec. 34 (H)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as
16 
amended. Likewise, such other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or
17 
personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from all taxes.
18 
Sec. 25. Annual Report. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to the President
19 
and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both Houses of Congress, not
20 
later than the 30th of March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The
21 
annual report shall provide a full and detailed account of the status of the
22 
implementation of this Act and policy recommendations.
23 
Sec. 26. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There shall be a Joint
24 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the VIP Act, which shall be jointly chaired by
25 
the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and the
26 
House of Representatives. It shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Senate
27 
Committees on Health and Demography, and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform,
28 
the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health, and Agriculture and Food of the House
29 
of Representatives, and two (2) Members from each House representing the minority
10


1 
who shall be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of
2 
Representatives.
3 
Sec. 27. Appropriations. - The initial amount for the implementation of this Act
4 
shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the DOST. Thereafter,
5 
the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
6 
Sec. 28. Transitory Provisions. -
7 
a. The functions and assets of the DOST units which shall be absorbed by the
8 
VIP shall be transferred accordingly pursuant to Section 11 (Transfer of
9 
Units, Offices and Functions) hereof within three (3) years without need of
10 
conveyance and transfer of assignment.
11 
b. To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all
12 
employees of the affected offices, agencies, and units shall be absorbed by
13 
the VIP. Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with appointments
14 
attested to by the CSC who may be affected by the transfer of DOST units
15 
to VIP, or who will not be absorbed in the new positions of the new staffing
16 
pattern of the different offices in the VIP, shall have the option to:
17 
1. Be transferred to other units or offices within the DOST in
18 
accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations; or
19 
2. Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation
20 
incentives as provided under Republic Act No. 6656 entitled "An
21 
Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and
22 
Employees in the 
Implementation of Government
23 
Reorganization," and other relevant laws.
24 
c. Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume
25 
positions in the VIP, subject to competency evaluation and CSC regulations.
26 
d. Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred units to
27 
VIP shall be utilized solely for the grants' intended purposes for each of the
28 
affected units or offices.
11


1 
e. Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices with
2 
third parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.
3 
Sec. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOST Secretary shall, in
4 
consultation with DBM, DOH, CSC, and other relevant government agencies,
5 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within one hundred twenty (120) days
6 
from effectivity of this Act.
7 
Sec. 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared invalid or
8 
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
9 
Sec. 31. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
10 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
11 
repealed or modified accordingly.
12 
Sec. 32. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
13 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
12