Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2020, the public health systems worldwide has been challenged by the emergence of 
the COVID-19 pandemic. Many governments and international health institutions and 
organizations scrambled for research and creation of cure against the said virus.  Aside from 
the current COVID-19 virus, many other viruses have plagued the world, including the 
Philippines, such as the Influenza A or the H1N1 virus, the Bird Flu or the Avian Influenza, 
and the Middle East Respiratory System Coronavirus or the MERS-CoV. 
The said viruses exposed the governments, especially ours, in the lack of preparedness 
and response towards addressing the said diseases because of the absence of research and 
development facilities to immediately study the said diseases. Our country, the Philippines, 
only rely on the scientific research of other countries and international institutions on how to 
deal with any emerging transmissible and deadly diseases. 
It is now high time for Congress to create a virology institute that would specifically 
study, research, and develop any current and forthcoming diseases that might again disrupt our 
public health system and save the lives of the Filipino people. The said virology institute shall 
be encompassing and shall include research and development of viruses in humans, animals, 
and plants. 
November 8, 2022
9:56 am
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The proposed measure is likewise in consonance with Section 15, Article II of the 1987 
Philippine Constitution which states: “The State shall protect and promote the right to health 
of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
Representative 
 TGP Party-List 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ___________ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. JOSE “BONG” J. TEVES, JR. 
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 Act of 2022”. 
SEC. 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;
d. To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and
their utilization; and
e.
To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
technological capabilities, and their application to the country’s productive
systems and national life.
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To this end, it is recognized that the establishment of an institute that will conduct 
research and development activities or 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. 
 
 
 
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 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. 
 
 
 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. –  As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
 
a. Virology – Is the scientific discipline concerned 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. 
 
 
 
SEC. 5. Creation of Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines. 
– To carry out the provisions of this Act, there is hereby created a research and development 
institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) called the Virology Science 
and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP). 
 
 
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the field of 
virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral disease in humans, animals, and plants. 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. 
 
 
 
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 humans, animals, and plants; 
b. Undertake scientific 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. 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 Therapeutic 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 Therapeutic 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. 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 posses a bachelor’s degree in the field of microbiology and a 
post graduate degree in virology, and should have at least three (3) years of experience in the 
field of diagnostic virology. The Director of the VIP shall have the rank of Director IV with a 
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. Each 
must posses a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology or in a similar field and at least a Master’s 
Degree in Virology. 
 
 
 
SEC. 10. 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: 
a. Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) 
b. Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA); 
Members: 
a. Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR); 
b. Undersecretary for Technology and Research and Development of the 
DOST; 
c. Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for 
International Economic Relations; 
d. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); 
e. Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM); 
f. Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); 
g. Director of VIP; 
h. Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National Institute of 
Health; 
i. Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology; 
j. Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines; and 
k. 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. 
 
 
All powers, functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment and 
facilities of the DOST units or its divisions 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 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 
Disease, as created by Executive Order No. 168 s. 2014, or its successor body, for the 
management of public health emergencies relating to infectious disease. 
 
 
 
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPP). – The Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI), the DOH, Public-Private Partnership Center and the DOST shall collaborate in 
seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPP) 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 and 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, 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 the 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 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 
corresponding intellectual protection. 
 
 
 
 
SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment and Services. – The 
VIP shall undertake 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 IRR. 
 
 
 
 
SEC. 20. Official Site of the VIP. – A lot within 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, Researches 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 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 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)(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. 
 
 
 
SEC. 25. Annual Report. – The VIP shall submit its annual report to the President of 
the Philippines 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 
the 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, other 
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
 
 
 
SEC. 22. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,