Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES LORD ALLAN JAY VELASCO AND 
KRISTINE SINGSON MEEHAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This measure aims to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. The Covid 19 pandemic had far reaching consequences, including the 
death of thousands of our countrymen. As one of our more important lessons during this pandemic, 
vaccines were indeed effective against preventing the worse symptoms of the virus from 
developing, which can lead to death. However, we cannot deny the fact that our country had to 
depend on other countries for the supply of Covid 19 vaccines. At least initially, we were one of 
the least prioritized countries when it comes to gaining sufficient supply of the vaccines. Sadly, 
the more progressive countries had better access to the vaccines, while we had to wait in line. This 
is the predicament this bill seeks to prevent through the creation of virology institute, one of the 
objectives of which is to develop diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. 
Indeed, science and technology are essential for national development and progress. In 
line with this, we need to formulate and implement policies that address both current and future 
health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health and medical human resources, 
accessibility of health institutions, and timely delivery of health services. Moreover, we should 
prioritize research, the development and promotion of innovations in both technology and 
services, the use of safe and indigenous health-promoting practices, and to properly utilize them. 
Ultimately, we should have an institute that will be able to conduct in-depth studies on 
viruses and their disease-causing agents which can potentially harm people, plants, and animals. 
With this knowledge, we would have ample scientific bases for the creation of treatment of viral 
diseases, and for the formulation of policies that will effectively prevent local transmission of 
these diseases. 
In view the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
REP. LORD ALLAN JAY VELASCO 
REP. KRISTINE SINGSON MEEHAN 
November 8, 2022
3:41 pm
5945


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES LORD ALLAN JAY VELASCO AND 
KRISTINE SINGSON MEEHAN 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by 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.” 
SEC. 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 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 the 
formulation of policies that shall prevent the transmission of these diseases within the community 
and national context. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. – This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall focus on the 
following key development areas for virology science and technology applications in plants, 
animals, 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)
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
5945


prevention and epidemiological studies; and, 
e)
Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of
highly infectious and highly pathogenic virus.
SEC. 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)
Biosafety refers to a condition in which the probability of harm, injury, and
damage resulting from the intentional and unintentional introduction or use of a
regulated article is within acceptable and manageable levels;
c)
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;
d)
Diagnostics refer to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral diagnosis
for plants, animals and humans;
e)
Therapeutics 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;
f)
Vaccine 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 or bacteria; and
g)
Virology 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.
SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines. – The 
Virology Science and Technology 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 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. 
SEC. 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. 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. 
 
SEC. 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. – 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, that will 
encompass researches involving viruses of plant, animal and humans; 
 
b) 
Undertake scientific and technological research and development 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 and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and 
development in collaboration with government agencies, industry, and the 
academe; 
 
e) 
Promote, advocate and oversee virology research ethics, biosafety, and 
biosecurity; 
 
f) 
Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and 
technology for use by both the public and private sectors; 
 
g) 
Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs 
for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology and relevant 
disciplines through human resource development, infrastructure, and institution 
building; 
 
h) 
Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related studies 
on virology; 
 
i) 
Provide laboratory and technical services on virology; 
 
j) 
Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and 
technology; and, 
 
k) 
Establish linkages with local and international partners. 
 
 
SEC. 8. The Governing 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; 
 
 
Members: 
 
d) 
Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; 
 
e) 
Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the 
DOST; 
 
f) 
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); 
 
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; 
 
1) 
Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology; 
 
m) 
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. 
 
SEC. 9. Organizational Structure. – 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. 
 
SEC. 10. 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 Degree in Microbiology or in a similar field and at least a Master’s Degree 
in Virology. 
 
 
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. 
 
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. 
 
SEC. 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. 


SEC. 13. International Cooperation. – The VIP 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. 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. 
 
SEC. 14. Interdepartmental Cooperation. – The 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, 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. 
 
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs). – The Department of Trade and 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. 
 
SEC. 16. Promotion 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 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 researches shall be included in the national 
government’s priority industries for incentives. 
 
SEC. 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 colleges (SUCs). Towards this end, the VIP shall 
assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses and programs, open internships and scholarships 
for qualified students of higher education institutions (HEIs), and collaborate with HEIs in the 
creation of virology research centers. 
 
The CHED shall collaborate with the DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP partnerships. 
 
SEC. 18. Protection of VIP-developed Intellectual Property. – The Governing Board of the VIP 
shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by the VIP with full funding from Filipino 
tax payers 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. 
 
 
SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment 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 alternative modality provided for by Republic Act No. 9184 or the “Government 
Procurement Reform Act” and its 2016 Revised 1RR. 
 
SEC. 20. Official Site of VIP. – A lot with an area equivalent to at least five (5) hectares under 
the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) within the New 
Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac 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. 
 
SEC. 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, 
Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government”. 
 
SEC. 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 from donor’s tax: Provided, 
That, 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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 (H)(2Xa) 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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 Technology 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 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 Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 
SEC. 27. Appropriations. – 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. 
 
SEC. 28. Transitory Provisions. – 
 
a. 
The functions and assets of the DOST 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 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: 
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 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 30. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances 
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 


Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,