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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The COVID-19 pandemic is among the most widespread and serious global 
health crises in recent history. It has revealed critical weaknesses in how countries, 
including the Philippines, identify, control, and respond to new viral threats. 
As the virus spread rapidly across borders and mutated into more 
transmissible and deadly variants, the pandemic has not only overwhelmed health 
systems, but also severely disrupted economies, livelihoods, and daily life. The 
COVID-19 experience in the Philippines highlighted critical deficiencies in our 
capacity to develop diagnostics, manufacture vaccines, and conduct scientific 
research that is vital to timely and effective public health interventions. 
This health emergency has made it undeniably clear that pandemic 
preparedness must be anchored on a strong foundation of science, technology, and 
research. It is no longer enough to rely solely on external sources for vaccines and 
solutions. In today’s highly connected and globalized world, viral threats that affect 
humans, animals, or plants continue to pose ongoing risks to national health security, 
food supply, biodiversity, and economic stability. 
August 4, 2025
5:00 pm
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It is within this context that the proposed establishment of the Virology and 
Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) becomes imperative. The VIP is 
envisioned as the country’s premier research institution devoted to the 
comprehensive study of viruses and viral diseases. It will pursue advanced scientific 
inquiry into the nature of viruses, their transmission, pathology, and interactions with 
hosts. It will also focus on the development of diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, 
and innovative technologies to detect, contain, and treat viral infections. 
Moreover, the VIP will serve as a central hub for collaborative efforts among 
Filipino scientists, research institutions, and international partners, thereby fostering 
a vibrant scientific community capable of addressing both current and future public 
health threats. It will provide the country with a critical platform not only for 
pandemic response but also for the long-term advancement of virology and vaccine 
science in agriculture, environmental protection, and clinical medicine. 
The lessons drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic compel us to act with 
foresight and urgency. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared again. Investing in 
a dedicated virology and vaccine research institute is a strategic move to safeguard 
the health of the nation, ensure readiness for future outbreaks, and strengthen the 
country's capacity for scientific innovation and self-reliance. 
This measure was also filed during the 19th Congress and was primarily 
referred to the Committee on Health, where it was approved on third and final 
reading by the House of Representatives. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K.  ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A. ACIDRE 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Virology and Vaccine 
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. 
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To this end, the State shall formulate and implement policies that shall address 
current health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health resources including 
human resources for health, 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 and vaccine institute that 
shall focus on the following key science and technology applications: 
 
a) Research on viruses and other pathogens using a modern approach such as 
molecular biology and its application on biotechnology and bioinformatics; 
 
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics on viruses and other 
pathogens; 
 
c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections; 
 


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d) Operation of a virology laboratory, virus gene bank and virus genome 
laboratory, to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease 
prevention and epidemiological studies; and 
 
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: 
 
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; 
 


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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 and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines. - The 
Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created and shall 
be attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of 
policy and program coordination and 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 also be a venue for scientists, research institutes and 


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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. 
 
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 agencies; 
 


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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, 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; 
 
k) Establish linkages with local and international partners; and 
 
l) Assume additional functions such as the conduct of clinical research or trials 
and other incidental works, as may be deemed appropriate. 
 


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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 have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. 
The consultants may be selected from the public and private sectors and shall serve 
on a contractual basis. They 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 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;  
 
b) 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 


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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. 
 
SEC 10. The Governing Board. - The VIP shall have a Governing Board which 
shall be the policymaking body for the scientific and technological activities of the 
VIP. It shall be 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;  
b) Undersecretary for Research and Development of the DOST; 


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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 division shall be transferred to the VIP. The 


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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 by law, and by the rules and regulations 
of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). 
 
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 Act" and other existing laws. 
 
SEC 13. International Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish strategic partnerships 
with the world's leading scientists and 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 the VIP advice and assistance on drafting and negotiations of international 
legal instruments.  
 
The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 
Philippines, World Organization for Animal Health and other relevant international 
organizations shall also be consulted upon approval of the Governing Board of the 
VIP. 


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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 for 
the Management of 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, DA, 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. 
 
SEC 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. - The DOST shall, in partnership with the 
DOH, DA and the DTI, 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 


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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). 
To 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 taxpayers shall be protected by intellectual property laws 
in accordance with Republic Act No. 10055, also known as the "Philippine 
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-owned by the Philippine Government, and correspondingly accorded 
intellectual property protection under the law. 
 


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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, otherwise 
known as the "Government Procurement Reform Act" and its 2016 Revised 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
 
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 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 the "Magna Carta 
for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S & T Personnel in the 
Government," as amended. 
 
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 


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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 the DOST and the Secretary of the 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 of and for the benefit 
of the VIP, which shall be released in a timely manner to address an existing or 
emerging public emergency or consistent with the urgent nature of VIP mandate and 
functions, subject to existing budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and 
regulations. 
 
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 
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 


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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 VIP 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 which shall be absorbed by the 
VIP shall be transferred accordingly pursuant to Section 11 (Transfer of Units, 
Offices and Functions) hereof 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 


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VIP. Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with appointments attested to 
by the CSC who may be affected by the transfer 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 laws, rules and regulations; or 
 
2. Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as 
provided under Republic Act No. 6656, entitled “An Act to Protect the 
Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and Employees in the 
Implementation of Government Reorganization,” 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, CSC, and other relevant government agencies, 


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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within one hundred twenty (120) 
days from effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion 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,