EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. NO. 2241
■■ '(©Ultr c; V ■ •
71 HftY 26 P5 :17
“Rtcovirrtn—
Introduced by Senator VICENTE C. SOTTO III 
j
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The novel coronavirus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome 
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), has changed our way of life. It is something that 
we have to live with, whether we like it or not. That is why measures have 
been put in place so as this virus will not stop us from living and going on 
with our lives. The strict adherence to health, social and economic protocols 
aims to mitigate the negative effects of this virus in our personal health, 
economic activities as well as the general welfare of all sectors of society 
especially our family, work environment among others.
While we recognize the need to follow the minimum health standards at 
present, even with the availability of vaccines against COVlD-19, the country 
must also prepare itself in the long-run by allowing a dedicated government 
agency that shall serve as the premier research and development (RSgD) 
institute in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral 
diseases in humans, plants, and animals.
The creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines 
(VIP) will make the Philippines become globally-competitive in the field of 
Science and Technology, particularly in virology, when it comes to detecting, 
identifying and responding to viruses that affect our people and our resources.


It will conduct pioneering and innovative research and development activities 
on viruses affecting the lives of Filipinos and our resources. Likewise, the 
Filipinos will have access to cheaper, home-grown technologies in the form of 
diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. And more importantly, our country will 
drastically increase our pandemic readiness. Hence, the agency’s 
establishment is undeniably important for the protection of the health of 
Filipinos and preservation of nation.
Viruses are fast-evolving, and we have no choice but to cope. 
Unfortunately, the country has no institution that focuses on the diagnostics, 
therapeutics, and vaccine development against viruses. With the rise in 
number of viral diseases, especially those that infect both animals and 
humans, it is important to have our own state-of-the-art research center 
dedicated for virology. The VIP will focus on these important viruses to 
immediately address and forecast future outbreaks in the Philippines while 
also building the expertise of Filipino researchers in the field of virology.
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is our best weapon in this 
time of crisis. We need the brilliance and expertise of our scientists, balik- 
scientists and foreign experts; but we also need to acknowledge that we need 
an institution that will handle, study and provide solutions to and against 
viruses and ither similar organisms.
Safeguarding our present health status is ensuring the survival of 
mankind.
Thus, the need to have our own virology institute in the soonest possible 
time is strongly sought for.
VICENTE C./SOTTO III


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. NO. 2241
v'lfJ'ffirr c*''f • ■
•21 HAY 26 P5:17
RECEiv'ltl'lii.
Introduced by Senator VICENTE C. SOTTO III
1
2
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES 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 and 
Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act of 2021.”
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State:
4 
a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
5 
health consciousness among them;
6 
b) To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and
7 
research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems;
8 
c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national
9 
development and progress;
10 
d) To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation,
11 
and their utilization; and
12 
e) To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
13 
technological capabilities, and their application to the country's
14 
productive systems and national life.
15 
To this end, the State shall give high priority to the establishment of an
16 
institute that will conduct research and development activities and in-depth
17 
studies on the viruses affecting the lives of its people and resources, such as
18 
plants and animals, is vital for the protection of the health of its people and
19 
the preservation of the national life.
20 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish a virology institute
21 
that shall focus on the following key development areas for virology science
22 
and technology applications in plants, animals, and humans:


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
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 laboratoiy, and virus 
reference laboratoiy to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines 
for disease prevention and epidemiological studies; and,
e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratoiy dedicated to the 
study of highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.
SBC. 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 and/or use of a regulated article is within acceptable 
and manageable levels;
c) Biosecurity refers to a 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 refers to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral 
diagnosis for plants, animals and humans;
e) Therapeutics refers 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) 
Vaccines refer to 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;
g) Virology refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of 
the biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human 
of 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;
42 
SBC. 5. Creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the
43 
Philippines (VIP). - The Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines
44 
(VIP).is hereby created, which shall be an attached agency under the
-2-


1 
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and
2 
program coordination to ensure alignment with national policies and priorities.
3 
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute
4 
in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in
5 
plants, animals and humans. It shall be a venue for scientists, research
6 
institutes and other organizations here in the Philippines and abroad, to work
7 
collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and
8 
environment^ importance.
9 
SBC. 6. Powers, Functions, and Duties. - To accomplish its
10 
mandate, the VIP shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
11 
a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National
12 
Virology Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned
13 
stakeholders, that will encompass researches involving viruses of
14 
plant, animal, and human importance.
15 
b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development
16 
(R8gD) in the field of virology.
17 
c) Conduct product research and development (R85D) in the areas of
18 
but not limited to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
19 
d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific
20 
research and development to concerned government agencies,
21 
industry, and academe.
22 
e) Promote and advocate virology research ethics, biosafety, and
23 
biosecurity.
24 
f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science
25 
and technology for use by both the public and private sectors.
26 
f) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned,
27 
programs for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities
28 
in virology and relevant disciplines through human resource
29 
development, infrastructure, and institution building.
30 
g) Undertalce policy research, technology assessment, and other
31 
related studies on virology.
32 
h) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology.
33 
i) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science
34 
and technology.
35 
j) Establish linkages with local and international partners.
36 
SEC. 7. Organizational Structure. - The VIP shall be headed by a
37 
Director-General and two (2) Deputy Directors-General, one (1) for
38 
Research and Development, and one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages.
39 
The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions:
40 
a) Virus Research
41 
b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
42 
c) Vaccines Research
43 
d) Technical Services and Training
44 
e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages
45 
1) Finance and Administration
-3-


1 
The Deputy Director-General for Research and Development shall
2 
head the Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and
3 
Vaccines Research Divisions. The Deputy Director-General for Support,
4 
Policy, and Linkages shall head the Technical Services and Training, Policy,
5 
Planning, and Linkages, and Finance and Administration Divisions.
6 
The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and
7 
consultants. The consultants may come from the public and private sectors
8 
on a consultancy or contractual basis, and shall be granted honoraria or
9 
allowances in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
10 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management
11 
(DBM), the VIP shall determine its organizational structure, create new
12 
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and
13 
employees.
14 
For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM,
15 
determine the necessary position qualifications and standards for its
16 
personnel following civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
17 
SEC. 8. Qualifications of the VIP Director-General and Deputy
18 
Directors-General. The VIP Director-General and the Deputy Directors-
19 
General shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the
20 
recommendation of the DOST Secretary.
21 
The Director-General with a rank of an undersecretary shall be a
22 
qualified expert possessing at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology,
23 
Microbiology and/or an allied discipline; preferably with a doctorate degree in
24 
medical sciences and/or in virology-related discipline with three to five years
25 
of experience in diagnostic virology. He shall have overall responsibility for the
26 
activities including the supervision of all the staff working in the VIP. In
27 
addition, he shall be directly responsible for reporting to the Secretary of
28 
Science and Technology and the President of the Philippines the results of the
29 
various diagnostic assays and research studies performed in the institute.
30 
Each of the Deputy Directors-General of the VIP shall have a rank of
31 
assistant secretary. The Deputy Director-General shall possess at least the
32 
educational background of the VIP Director-General.
33 
The Director-General and the Deputy Director-Generals shall be
34 
appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on
35 
Appointments for a term of seven years. Of those first appointed, the Director-
36 
General shall hold office for seven years, one Deputy Director-General for five
37 
years, and the other Deputy Director-General for three years. Appointment to
38 
any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term of the
39 
predecessor.
-4-


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
SBC. 9. The Governing Board. - The Governing Board shall be the 
highest policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the 
VIP, composed of the following:
a) The Secretary of the DOST, as Chairperson;
b) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), as Co-Chairperson;
c) Secretary of Department of Agriculture (DA), as Co-Chairperson;
d) The Secretary of Trade and Industry, as may be represented by an 
Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy;
e) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, as may be 
represented by an Undersecretary (DENR), as member;
f) The Undersecretary for Research and Development of the DOST, as 
member;
g) The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as may be represented by the 
Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, as member;
h) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as 
member;
i) The Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine 
(RITM), as member;
j) The Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as 
member;
k) The Director-General of the VIP, as member;
l) The Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National 
Institute of Health (UP-NIH), as member; and
m) 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 field 
of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal virology, 
epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related disciplines.
The private sector shall be represented by the following:
i. 
an association of medical or allied-health professionals
ii. 
Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association or from a 
recognized pharmaceutical industry
hi. An academic institution with research and development activities in 
the field of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal 
virology, epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related 
disciplines
The VIP shall serve as the Secretariat of the Governing Board with the 
VIP Director acting concurrently as the Executive Director of the Secretariat.
SBC. 10. Functions of the Governing Board. The Governing Board 
shall be the policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities 
of the VIP. It shall:
-5-


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
a) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the management and 
operation of the VIP
b) Collect fees, through its Secretariat, in connection with the exercise 
of its regulatory powers
c) Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of 
funds, equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment 
of its objectives;
d) Provide grants, research fund, materials and equipment for the 
conduct of virology researches by both public and private higher 
education institutions;
e) Establish an editorial office of a refereed journal of virology and a 
library which shall collect and preserve books, journals and other 
reference materials in the field of virology; and
f) Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the 
DOST Secretary.
16 
SEC. 11. Compliance with Existing Government Regulations. The
17 
VIP shall comply with the procedures, rules and regulations of other
18 
Government Offices mandated to oversee the practice of virology and other
19 
related disciplines as well as the operation of laboratories, clinics, diagnostics
20 
and similar facilities; but not limited to the following: procurement of
21 
specimen, supplies, materials, and equipment; handling, storage, the study
22 
of specimen, and disposal of specimen, equipment and other forms of waste.
23 
The Department of Health (DOH) through the Health Facilities and
24 
Services Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) shall establish guidelines and regulate
25 
the operation of virology-related facilities to be assisted by the DA-Bureau of
26 
Animal Industry, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, and other relevant
27 
stakeholders.
28 
The DOH-Health Human Resource Development Bureau shall establish
29 
guidelines on the practice of virology profession in the country to be assisted
30 
by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its health-related
31 
accredited professional organizations, together with the Commission on
32 
Higher Education (CHED), Department of Labor and Employment, Civil
33 
Service Commission, Bureau of Immigration, and other relevant government
34 
offices.
35 
The DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and
36 
the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) shall ensure'
37 
compliance of the VIP and other virology facilities with regards to waste
38 
disposal.
39 
Finally, research proposals prior to its undertaking within the VIP shall
40 
be reviewed by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) or
41 
through its accredited ethics review committees or entities. Processes and
-6


1 
regulations of the Food and Drug Administration, Health Technology
2 
Assessment Council and/or of the Intellectual Property Office of the
3 
Philippines shall be strictly observed prior to commerci^ization of any drug,
4 
vaccine, diagnostics, devicefand other similar products.
5 
An Inter-Agency Task Force may be created to monitor compliance of
6 
all virology-related professions and facilities throughout the country to be
7 
headed by the DOH-Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau.
8 
SEC. 11. Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. -
9 
The VIP may engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who
10 
shall work together with the local scientists and experts, following the terms
11 
of reference and compensation structure in accordance with Republic Act No.
12 
11035 or the Balik Scientist Program Act and other existing laws.
13 
SEC. 12. International Cooperation. - The VIP shall establish
14 
strategic partnerships with the world’s leading scientists, virology centers and
15 
institutes, and conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will
16 
advance the frontiers of virology in the country. The VIP can enter into a
17 
memorandum of agreement or understanding with international partners,
18 
upon the approval of its Governing Board and in compliance with existing
19 
laws, rules, regulations and issuances of the Department of Foreign Affairs
20 
(DFA). The DFA shall provide technical, legalfand other forms of assistance to
21 
the VIP.
22 
The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the
23 
Philippines shall also be consulted upon approval of the Governing Board of
24 
the VIP.
25 
SEC. 13. Interdepartmental Cooperation. - The VIP shall collaborate
26 
with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Finance (DOF), Food
27 
and Drugs Administration (FDA), RITM and other relevant government
28 
agencies, in mobilizing resources such as but not limited to research
29 
information, reports, technical expertise, equipment, materials and supplies
30 
as may be required to implement this Act.
31 
SEC. 14. Inter-Agency Contribution of the VIP. - The research
32 
outputs of the VIP shall be integrated with the plans made by the Inter-Agency
33 
Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order
34 
No. 168 s. 2014, or its successor body, for the management of public health
35 
emergencies relating to infectious diseases.
36 
The research outputs of the VIP shall also be integrated into other plans
37 
relating to disease control and prevention.
38 
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs). - The Department of
39 
Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Health (DOH), Public-Private
40 
Partnership (PPP) Center and the Department of Science and Technology
41 
(DOST) shall collaborate in seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
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 DOH-Health Promotion and Communication Service and Disease 
Prevention and Control Bureau and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- 
Board of Investments, 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 that shall be 
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 for 
qualified students of higher education institutions (HEIs) and collaborate with 
HEIs in the creation of virology research centers.
The Commission on Higher Education (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 or the Technology Transfer Act of 2009 and other applicable laws Any 
patent grant or property right awarded or 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, 
with the corresponding intellectual protections, to the Philippine Government.
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, as exemptions from the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 or the “Government Procurement Reform 
Act” and other relevant laws.
Provided, that during public health emergency, the following shall be 
observed:
8-


1 
a) Less stringent procurement procedures allowing negotiated
2 
procurement, higher caps on allowable down payment for
3 
procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and services;
4 
b) Authority to the DOST Secretary to approve advance payment of
5 
more than 15% for procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and
6 
services, for faster facilitation;
7 
c) Simplified process for foreign procurement especially with
8 
specialized equipment, reagents, and supplies not available in the
9 
Philippines;
10 
d) Exemption from customs duties and taxes for all VIP supplies and
11 
equipment procured abroad; and,
12 
e) Exemption from taxes on income generated through training and
13 
other delivery of services of VIP.”
14 
SEC. 20. Official Site of VIP. - A lot with an area equivalent to at least
15 
five (5) hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion and
16 
Development Authority (BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac
17 
shall be allocated exclusively for the Institute, its research facilities, and
18 
laboratories. The biosafety infrastructure shall be designed based on risk
19 
assessment for handling specific pathogens following the World Health
20 
Organization (WHO) guidelines on the establishment of a virology laboratory
21 
in developing countries.
22 
SEC. 21. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. - Qualified
23 
employees of the VIP shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise
24 
known as “Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other
25 
Science and Technology Personnel in Government”.
26 
SEC. 22. Virology Research Fund. - There is hereby created a Virology
27 
Research Fund to be used and administered by the VIP following existing
28 
government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. The
29 
Fund shall be sourced from the following:
30
31 
a) The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (P 2,000,000,000.00) to be
32 
taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriation, in case the General
33 
Appropriation Act (GAA) was approved before this law is enacted.
34 
b) The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and
35 
licensing agreements.
36 
c) Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and donations whether
37 
from local or foreign sources. Provided, that acceptance of grants,
38 
bequests, contributions, and donations from foreign governments shall
39 
be subject to the approval of the President upon the recommendation
40 
of the Secretary of the DOST and Secretary of the Department of Foreign
41 
Affairs (DFA). The Secretary of DOST, with the approval of the NEDA
42 
and subsequently, the Department of Finance (DOF), is hereby granted
43 
the authority to enter into loan agreements with foreign financial
44 
institutions.
-9-


1 
SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Receive Donations, Grants and the
2 
Like. - The VIP may solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public or
3 
private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants,
4 
endowments, contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or
5 
possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the
6 
benefit of the VIP, which shall be exempt from donor’s tax and shall all be
7 
part of the special account in the gener^ fund managed by the Department
8 
of Finance.
9 
The VIP shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use,
10 
maintenance and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments,
11 
contributions or transfers and the compliance of the terms and conditions
12 
thereon, if any, in accordance with pertinent accounting and auditing laws,
13 
rules and regulations.
14 
SEC. 24. Use of Income. - The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the
15 
income generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants
16 
for the upgrading if its physical and human resources, and for the
17 
augmentation of its budget.
18 
SEC. 25. Mandatory Adoption of Publicly Funded Technologies.
19 
Mandatory adoption of publicly funded and generated technologies developed
20 
by the VIP whenever feasible and practicable, shall strictly be implemented by
21 
all government entities or instrumentalities All national government agencies
22 
(NGAs), government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs), state
23 
universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units (LGUs)
24 
performing science and technology development projects shall adopt publicly-
25 
funded technologies.
26 
SEC. 26. Annual Report. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to
27 
the President and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both
28 
Chambers of Congress, not later than the 30th of March of every year
29 
following the effectivity of this Act. The annual report shall provide a full and
30 
detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act and policy
31 
recommendations.
32 
SEC. 27. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There shall
33 
be a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of this
34 
Act, which shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on
35 
Science and Technology of the Senate and House of Representatives. It shall
36 
be composed of, as members, the Chairpersons of the Senate Committees on
37 
Health and Demography and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, the
38 
Chairpersons of the Committees on Health and Food and Agriculture of the
39 
House of Representatives, and two others from each chamber of Congress to
40 
be appointed by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of
41 
Representatives.
-10-


1 
SEC. 28. Appropriations. - The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php
2 
2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial operation fund of the
3 
VIP from the current fiscal year’s appropriation. Thereafter, the amount
4 
needed for its operation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
5
6 
SEC.29. Transitory Provisions. - Upon the establishment of the VIP,
7 
the functions and assets of the concerned DOH units shall be transferred to
8 
the VIP without need of conveyance, transfer of assignment.
9 
(a) For the year, during which this Act was approved, the unexpended
10 
portion of the budget of the offices and units transferred shall be utilized
11 
for establishing the VIP and initiating its operations, including the
12 
formulation of the rules and regulations necessary for the
13 
implementation of this Act.
14 
(b) To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with existing laws, all
15 
employees of the affected offices, agencies and units shall be absorbed
16 
by the VIP. Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with
17 
appointments attested by the CSC who may be affected by the transition
18 
of DOST units to VIP, or who will not be absorbed in the new positions
19 
of the new staffing pattern of the different offices in the VIP, shall have
20 
the option to:
21 
(1) Be transferred to other units/offices within the DOST without
22 
reduction in pay; or
23 
(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives
24 
as provided by existing laws.
25 
(c) Incumbent DOST officials and employees of affected DOST offices may
26 
be considered as a VIP official or employee, subject to competency
27 
evaluation and CSC regulations.
28 
(d) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred
29 
units to VIP shall be utilized solely for the grants’ intended purposes for
30 
each of the affected units or offices.
31 
(e) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected offices
32 
with third parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.
33 
SEC. 30. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOST Secretary,
34 
in consultation with DBM, DOH, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant
35 
government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations
36 
within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.
37 
SEC. 30. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
38 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in
39 
full force and effect.
-11 -


1 
SBC. 31. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and
2 
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the
3 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
4 
SEC. 32. Effectivity. - This Act shall talce effect fifteen (15) days after
5 
its publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general
6 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,
12-