FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 71 0 
) 
) 
) 
10 
JUL -7 1"3:54 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The recent dengue outbreak, which has claimed scores of lives, should 
alert the government to critically come up with a program that shall search for a 
panacea not only to this disease, but also other diseases, with no known 
vaccines or cure. 
While vaccines for other virus-based and bacteria-based diseases are 
readily available, courtesy of res\3arches conducted by medical facilities abroad, 
it is unfortunate that no similar researches have so far been undertaken with 
respect to diseases which are peculiar in the region, if not in our country. 
As in the case of small pox, which has almost been eradicated through the 
development of a vaccine, dengue and other local diseases could possibly be 
eliminated through some appropriate vaccines which can be developed, 
harnessed and utilized, if only concerned government agencies, and other 
private and public institutions shall put their acts together, pool their resources 
and conscientiously work towards finding for said cures. 
The purpose of this measure is to establish a medical research facility to 
search for vaccines for dengue, malaria, yellow fever and other diseases. 
Through this facility, academic experts and scientists, and other individuals, both 
from the government and private institutions can work together to develop 
appropriate vaccines. 
This may be a tall order, certainly. Yet, with enough funding, coupled with 
dedication of people who care, such a facility may be an answer to disease-
related problems confronting our communities. 
Hence, immediate enactment of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
.SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 710 
10 
JUL -7 P3:54 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A MEDICAL RESEARCH FACILITY TO SEARCH FOR 
VACCINES FOR DENGUE, MALARIA, YELLOW FEVER AND OTHER LOCAL 
VIRUS OR BACTERIA·BASED DISEASES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Medical Research Facility - There shall be established 
within the Department of Health, a Medical Research Facility to be headed by an 
administrator who shall be appointed by the Secretary on the basis of technical 
expertise, academic backgroun<;l and appropriate work experience. The Facility 
shall be tasked primarily to look for vaccines for dengue, malaria, yellow fever 
and other virus or bacteria-based diseases. Apropos such task, the facility shall 
also: 
(a) establish and maintain a national registry of serious diseases and 
illnesses, both virus-based and bacteria-based; 
(b) establish and maintain inventory of literature, research, and studies on 
these diseases; 
(c) in cases of public health emergencies caused or believed to be caused 
by an epidemic or outbreak, provide medical care and testing to affected, 
individuals, including but not limited to tissue sampling, chromosomal testing 
where appropriate, epidemiological studies, or any other assistance appropriate 
under the circumstances; 
(d) conduct, and promote the coordination and acceleration of, research, 
investigations, experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the 
causes, effects (including health and welfare effects), extent, prevention, and 
control of these local diseases; 
(e) encourage, cooperate with, and render technical services and provide 
Financial assistance to appropriate- public or .private -agencies, institutions, and 
organizations, and individuals in the conduct of such activities; 
(f) establish technical advisory committees composed of recognized 
experts to assist in the examination and evaluation of research progress and 
proposals and to avoid duplication of research, and 


(g) conduct and promote coordination and acceleration of training for 
individuals relating to the causes, effects, extent, prevention, and control of 
diseases. 
SEC. 2. 
Authorized Activities of Administrator in Establishing 
Research and Development Program - In carrying out the provisions of the 
preceding subsection the Administrator is authorized to: 
(a) collect and make avai!.able, through publications and other appropriate 
means 
the 
results 
of 
and 
other 
information, 
including 
appropriate 
recommendations by him in connection therewith, pertaining to such research 
and other activities; 
(b) cooperate with other departments and agencies, and other public and 
private agencies, institutions, and organizations and with any industries involved, 
in the preparation and conduct of such research and other activities; 
(c) enter into contracts with academic experts and scientists, including 
those from non-profit organizations who shall be tasked primarily to pool together 
their resources in researching for vaccines for diseases, particularly local ones 
and those unique in Philippine setting; 
(d) make grants to agencies to other public or nonprofit private agencies 
institutions and organizations, and to individuals for purposes stated in this Act; 
(e) establish and maintain, research fellowships, in public or nonprofit 
private educational institutions or research organizations; 
(f) collect and disseminate, in cooperation with other departments and 
agencies, and with other public or private agencies, institutions, and 
organizations having related responsibilities, basic data on disease prevention 
and control; 
(g) develop effective and practical processes, methods, and prototype 
devices for prevention or control; and 
(h) construct facilities, provide equipment, and employ staff as necessary 
to carry out this Act; 
(I) shall conduct studies, including epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory 
and field studies, as necessary to identify and evaluate exposure to and effects 
of diseases on human health; 
U) may utilize, on a .reimbursable basis, the facilities of existing 
government and private scientific laboratories and research centers, and 
(k) shall consult with other agencies to ensure that similar research being 
conducted in other agencies is coordinated to avoid duplication. 
In carrying out the provisions of this section, the Administrator shall 
provide training for, and make training grants to, personnel of appropriate and 
related agencies and other persons with suitable qualifications and make grants 
.to such agencies, to other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and 
organizations. Reasonable fees may be charged for such training provided to 
persons other than personnel of these related agencies but such training shall be 
provided to such personnel of such agencies without charge. 


SEC. 3. Powers of the Facility. - The facility shall have the following 
powers: 
(a) To appoint the officers and other personnel of the facility and fix their 
compensation, allowances and other emoluments, subject to the civil service and 
other existing applicable laws, rules and regulations; 
(b) To suspend, dismiss, or otherwise discipline for cause, any employee, 
and/or to approve or disapprove the appointment, transfer or detail of employees, 
subject to the provisions of existing laws and regulations;. 
(c) To enter into contracts; 
(d) To acquire, use and control any land, building, facilities, equipment, 
instrument, tools and 
rights. required 
or otherwise necessary for the 
accomplishment of the objectives of the facility; 
(e) To acquire, own, possess and dispose of any real or personal property; 
(f) To accept donations, gifts, bequests, and grants; 
(g) To ensure the implementation by various government departments and 
agencies of projects and activities as indicated in their respective annual 
budgets; 
(h) To issue rules and regulations in pursuance of the provisions of this 
Act; and 
. 
(I) To perform any and all other acts incident to or required by virtue of its 
creation. 
SEC. 4. The Secretariat- Duties and Responsibilities - The facility shall 
organize a secretariat. The staffing pattern and compensation schedule of the 
secretariat shall be drawn up in accordance with existing laws, rules and 
regulations. The Secretariat shall .. be responsible for: 
(a) Ensuring an effective and efficient performance of the functions of the 
Commission and prompt implementation of the programs; 
(b) Proposing specific allocation of resources for projects instated under 
approved programs; 
(c) Submitting periodic reports to the bureau on the progress and 
accomplishment of programs and projects; 
(d) Preparing an annual report on all activities of the bureau; 
(e) Providing and performing general administrative and technical staff 
support; and 
(f) Performing such other functions as the bureau may deem necessary. 
SEC. 5. Appropriations - There shall be released an amount of Ten 
Million Pesos (Php10,OOO,OOO.OO) .from existing savings of the Department of 
Health to be used for the establishment of the medical research facility. 


• 
Thereafter, whatever amount may be needed for funding shall be taken from the 
General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, issuances, rules and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) nc:lwspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved.