NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
599
f;g|l Senate
72 JUL14 PI 51
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed some points 
of vulnerability in the country's healthcare system. The development and 
acquisition of vaccines has been one of the main problems of the country 
while we are battling the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to wait for other 
countries to develop vaccines and to have an available supply before we are 
able to distribute such to our countrymen. Roll-out of vaccination could have 
been sooner, and more lives could have been saved if only we had the 
capacity to develop and manufacture our own vaccines.
This bill seeks to address this shortcoming by establishing a Virology 
Institute of the Philippines that would focus on virus research, development, 
of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, and other key development areas 
for virology science and technology.
The establishment of the Virology Institute of the Philippines is very 
important in our country's goal to strengthen our defense system against 
potential disease-causing agents that will affect not only people, but also 
plants and animals. This would also provide us with the capacity to develop 
our own vaccines, eliminating the need to depend on other countries in times 
of need.


As we continue to move forward with development programs for the 
economy of our country, it is important that we also take steps in improving 
our facilities for research and development, especially in matters of health 
and medicine to make sure that we can give the best services to the Filipino 
people.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
GUEL F. ZUBIR!


f-Ejl S>fitale
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
of tljf ^cciPtcii-^
*22 JUL 14 PI 51
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
599
RECEIVED 8V;
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Virology Institute of
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the Philippines (VIP) Act."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and
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promote the right to health of the people and Instill health consciousness among them.
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The State recognizes that science and technology is essential for national development
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and progress.
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To this end, the State shall formulate and implement policies that shall address
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current health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health and medical human
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resources, health institutions, and delivery of health services, and shall give priority to
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research, the development and promotion of innovations in both technology and services,
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the use of safe and indigenous health-promoting practices, and their appropriating
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utilization by the health sector.
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In this regard, the State shall prioritize the establishment of an institute that will
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conduct in-depth studies on viruses and their potential disease-causing agents that affect
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people, plants and animals, in order to provide the scientific bases for the treatment of
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viral diseases, and for the formulation of policies that shall prevent the transmission of
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these diseases within the community and national context.
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SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that shall
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focus on the following key development areas for virology science and technology
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applications in plants, animals, and humans:
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(a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and
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its application or biotechnology;
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(b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
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(c) International cooperation and network of databases and virus infections;
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(d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus reference
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laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease
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prevention and epidemiological studies; and
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(e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of
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highly infectious and highly pathogenic virus.
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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(a) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific bacteria,
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usually causing their disintegration or dissolution;
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(b) Biosafety refers to a condition in which the probability of harm, injury and
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damage resulting from the intentional and unintentional introduction or use of
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a regulated article is within acceptable and manageable levels;
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(c) Biosecurity refers to the strategic and integrated approach to analyzing and
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managing relevant risks to plant, animal and human life, and health and
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associated risks for the environment. It is based on recognition of the critical
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linkages between sectors and the potential for hazards to move within and
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between sectors, with system-wide consequences;
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(d) Diagnostics refer to methods, tests, techniques and tools in viral diagnosis for
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plants, animals and humans;
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(e) Therapeutics refer to anti-viral, bacteriophages, nanotechnology treatment
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approach, nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the
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treatment of viral diseases and infections of plants, animals and humans;
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(f) Vaccine refers to a product that induces or stimulates active acquired immunity
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by producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps the body's
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immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or bacteria; and
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(g) Virology refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the
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biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human medical
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importance and pandemic ootential, including the distribution, pathogenicity,
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viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology.


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ecology, tropism, spillover and interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical 
aspects of viruses.
SEC. 5. Creation of the Viro fogy Science and Technology Institute of the 
Philippines. -The Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is 
hereby created and shall be an attached agency under the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and program coordination to ensure alignment 
in national policies and priorities.
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the field 
of virology, encompassing all kinds of viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals and 
humans. It shall be a venue for scientists, research institute and other organizations in 
the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, 
industrial, clinical and environmental importance.
SEC. 6. Mandate. - The VIP shall implement policies, plans, programs, and 
projects for the development of virology science and technology in the country and the 
promotion of scientific and technological activities for both the public and private sectors. 
It shall ensure that the results of these activities are properly applied towards self-reliance 
and utilized to accelerate economic and social development towards the protection of the 
citizens and resources.
SEC. 7. Powers^ Functions^ and Duties. -To accomplish its mandate, the VIP 
shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
(a) Serve as the lead convener in the formulation of the National Virology Research 
Agenda, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that will encompass 
researches involving viruses of plant, animal and humans;
(b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development in the field of 
virology;
(c) Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics, 
therapeutics, and vaccines in cooperation with the private sector and concerned 
government agencies;
(d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and 
development in collaboration with government agencies, industry and the 
academe;
(e) Promote, advocate and oversee virology research ethics, biosafety, and 
biosecurity;


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(f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and technology
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for use by both the public and private sectors;
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(g) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned, programs for
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strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology and relevant
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disciplines through human resource development, infrastructure, and institution
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building;
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(h) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related studies on
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virology;
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(i) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;
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(j) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and technology;
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and
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(k) Establish linkages with local and international partners.
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SEC. 8. Organizational Structure, -The VIP shall be headed by a Director and
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two (2) Deputy Directory for Research and Development, and Support, Policy, and
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Linkages.
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The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions:
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1. Virus Research
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2. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
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3. Vaccines Research
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4. Technical Services and Training
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5. Policy, Planning, and Linkages
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6. Finance and Administration.
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The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the operations
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of the Virus Research, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics Research, and Vaccines Research
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Divisions. The Deputy Director for Support, Policy and Linkages shall oversee the
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operations of the Technical Services and Training, Policy, Planning, and Linkages, and
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Finance and Administration Divisions.
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The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. The
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consultants may come from the public and private sectors on a consultancy or contractual
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basis, and shall be granted honoraria or allowances in accordance with existing rules and
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regulations.
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Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the
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VIP shall determine its organizational structure, create new divisions or units as it may
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deem necessary, and appoint its officers and employees.


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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 possess a bachelor's degree in the field of microbiology 
and a postgraduate degree in virology, and should have at least three (3) year's 
experience in the field of diagnostic virology. The Director of the VIP shall have the rank 
of Director IV, Salary Grade (SG)-28; and shall exercise overall responsibility over the 
activities of the VIP, including the supervision over VIP staff. The Director of the VIP shall 
report to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Secretary of the 
Department of Science and Technology the results of the various diagnostics assays and 
research studies undertaken by the VIP.
Each of the Deputy Directors of the VIP shall have a rank of Director III, SG-27, 
Each must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology or in a similar field and at least a 
Master's Degree In Virology.
SEC. 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:
(b) Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH);
(c) Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;
Members:
(d) Undersecretary of the Depaitment of Environment and Natural Resources;
(e) Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the DOST;
(f) Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for International 
Economic Relations;
(g) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
(h) Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM);
(i) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);
(j) Director of VIP;
(k) Executive Director of the University of the Philippines-National Institute of 
Health;


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(l) Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology;
(m) 
Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines; and
(n) Three (3) representatives from the Private Sector appointment 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 Unit, Offices and Functions. - Ail offices and units under 
the DOST, system which functions are related to virology shall be transferred to the VIP.
All powers, functions, assets, capital, records, funds, receivables, equipment and 
facilities of the DOST units or its division shall be transferred to the VIP. The DOST shall 
conduct an audit and inventory of assets, liabilities and human resources of the 
transferred offices and units under the DOST system to the VIP. All transferred and new 
employees under the DOST System shall be subject of the qualification standards 
provided for in the laws, rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
SEC. 12. Engagement of Baiik Scientists and Foreign Experts. -The VIP
may engage the services of Baiik 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 "Baiik Scientist Program Act" 
and other existing laws.
SEC. 13. Internationai 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 of the VIP.
SEC. 14. Interdepartmentai Cooperation. - The VIP shall collaborate with 
the DOH, Department of Finance, FDA, RITM and other relevant government agencies.


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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 plans of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging 
Infectious Diseases, as created by Executive Order No. 168 s. 2014 or its successor body, 
for the management of public health emergencies relating to infectious diseases.
SEC. 15. Private-Public Partnerships (PPP). —The Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI), the DOH, Public-Private Partnership Center and the DOST shall 
collaborate in seeking Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the development of new 
industries, products and services where the VIP shall be the main research and 
development unit.
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local government 
agencies in seeking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main research and development unit.
SEC 16. Promotion of Viroicgy Industry. —The DOST, in partnership with the 
DTI and the DOH shall jointly develop an industry roadmap for products and services that 
can be created, improved, or optimized by research from the VIP. As far as practicable, 
the industry roadmap shall include the use of local materials in the development of new 
products. The industry developed or established resulting from the VIP researches shall 
be included in the national government priority for incentives.
SEC. 17. Promotion of Knowledge-transfer and Research in the 
Academe. - The VIP shall promote the creation of hubs and programs for virology 
research and development in the academe, particularly in state universities and colleges 
(SUCs). Towards this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in the creation of virology courses 
and programs, open internships and scholarships for qualified students of higher 
education institutions (HEIs), and collaborate with HEIs in the creation of virology 
research centers.
The CHED shall collaborate with the DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP 
partnerships.
SEC. 18. Protection of VIP-deveioped Intellectual Property. - The
Governing Board of the VIP shall ensure that all technologies developed exclusively by 
the VIP with full funding from Filipino tax payers shall be protected by intellectual property 
laws in accordance with Republic Act No. 10055 or the "Technology Transfer Act of 2009"


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and other applicable laws. Any patent or property right award granted to the VIP shall be 
held by and in the name of the Philippine Government. In the case of partnerships, where 
the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the Governing Board shall ensure that 
technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be co-attributed to the Philippine 
Government, with the corresponding intellectual protection.
SEC. 19. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment and Services.
- The VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and 
services to be used by the VIP in its operation and administration, in the most expeditious 
manner, and adopt the most suitable or appropriate method of procurement that it deem 
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. Officiai Site of the VIP. -A lot with an area equivalent to at least five 
(5) hectares under the administration of the Bases Conversion 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. Entitiement to Magna Carta Benefits. — Qualified employees of the 
VIP shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, otherwise known as "Magna Carta for 
Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in 
Government."
SEC. 22. Viroiogy 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 recommendations of the Secretary of DOST and 
the Secretary of DFA.


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SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations, Grants, 
Gifts, Legacies, Endowments and Contributions. -The VIP may solicit, negotiate 
with, and receive from any public or private domestic or foreign sources legacies, gifts, 
donations, grants, endowments, contributions or other transfers of ownership and/or 
possession of real or personal properties of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the 
VIP, which shall all be part of the special account in the general fund.
SEC. 24. Tax Exemptions - DondX:\onsl 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 ail kinds shall be exempt from all taxes.
SEC. 25. Annual Report. The VIP shall submits its annual report to the President 
and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both House of Congress, not later 
than the 30th of March of every year following the effectivity of this Act. The annual report 
shall provide a full and detailed account of the status of the implementation of this Act 
and policy recommendations.
SEC. 26. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. -There shall be a Joint 
Congressional Oversight Committee on the implementation of this Act, which shall be 
jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Committees on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and House of Representatives. It shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the 
Senate Committees of 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 of the 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.-


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(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 an portion of provision of this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. -All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
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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,
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