Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The world was caught off guard by the sudden and far-reaching
effects of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), resulting in a global health crisis
and almost causing economies to crash. To date, countries are still reeling
from the impacts of the pandemic, especially as the continuous spikes in cases
cause public speculations and panic.
Nearly three years after the first reported case of COVID-19, the
World Health Organization reports the number of deaths worldwide has
reached 6.37 million out of the more than 566 million confirmed cases.
The swift spread of the unknown and continuously mutating virus
posed unprecedented challenges to the global scientific community. With the
rapid rate of infections straining health systems to near collapse, governments
were
forced
to
apply
severe
measures,
such
as
hard
lockdowns
of
communities,  in their efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Just like the rest of the world, the Philippines was unprepared for the
swift onslaught of the COVID-19 virus; more so when the pandemic
happened at the height of the spread of the African swine fever (ASF) that
negatively impacted the local hog industry. The same is the case with the
avian flu, which severely affected our poultry industry. These are some of the
viruses that further threatened the country’s food security, all the more while
public health is in a state of catastrophe. This made us aware that new and
re-emerging viruses can have devastating and long-lasting effects on humans,
plants, and animals.
Hence, this bill proposes the establishment of the Philippine Virology
and Science and Technology Institute to pave the way for the country’s
research and development in the field of virology, allowing for the early
detection of viruses that may cause future pandemics and enabling us to
prepare, respond and contain their spread.
Filed and approved in the third and final reading during the 18th
Congress, the approval of the bill is earnestly sought.
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
Representative, 4Ps Partylist
July 28, 2022
5:17 pm
2736


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by 4Ps Representative
JONATHAN CLEMENT M. ABALOS II
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:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Virology
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 are essential
for national development and progress.
To this end, the state shall formulate and implement policies that shall
address current health issues, such as the quality and adequacy of health and
medical human resources, 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 basis 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.
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SEC. 3. Objectives. – This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that
shall focus on the following key development areas for virology science and
technology application in plants, animals, and humans:
a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular
biology and its application or biotechnology;
b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics;
c) International
cooperation
and
network
of
databases
of
virus
infections;
d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus
reference laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines
for disease prevention and epidemiological studies; 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 to 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;
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)
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 and 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,
vital
cytopathic,
biochemistry,
physiology,
molecular
biology,
biotechnology, ecology, tropism,
spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution and clinical aspects
of the virus.
SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology 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
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Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for 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
institutes, and other organizations in the Philippines and abroad, to work
collaboratively to study viruses and 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 power, 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 research involving viruses of
plants, animals, 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;
f)
Develop and maintain an information system on virology science
and technology for use by both the public and private sectors;
g) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned,
programs for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities
in
virology
and
relevant
disciplines
through human resource
development, infrastructure and institution building;
h) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related
studies on virology;
i)
Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;
j)
Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and
technology; and,
k) Establish linkages with local and international partners.
SEC. 8. Organizational Structure. – The VIP shall be headed by a
Director and two (2) Deputy Directors for Research and Development, and
Support, Policy, and Linkages.
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The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions:
1. Virus Research
2. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
3. Vaccines Research
4. Technical Services and Training
5. Policy, Planning and Linkages
6. Finance and Administration
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall oversee the
operation of the Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and
Vaccines Research Division. The Deputy Director for Support, Policy and
Linkages shall oversee the operation of the Technical Services and Training,
Policy, Planning and Linkages, and Finance and Administration Divisions.
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management
(DBM), the VIP shall determine its organization structure, create new
divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and
employees.
For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM, determine
the necessary position qualifications and standards for its personnel following
civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
SEC. 9. Qualification 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) years of 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 of 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 diagnostic
assay 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 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:
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d) Undersecretary of the Department 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 for Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM);
i)
Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FD);
j)
Director of VIP;
k) Executive Director of the University of the Philippines – National
Institute of Health;
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 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 whose 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 to the qualification standards provided for in the laws,
rules, and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
SEC. 12. Engagement of Balik Scientists and Foreign Experts. – the
VIP may engage the services of Balik Scientists and foreign experts who shall
work together with the local scientists and experts, following the terms of
reference and compensation structure in accordance with Republic Act No.
11035 or the “Balik Scientist Program Act” and other existing laws.
SEC. 13. International Cooperation. – The VIP shall collaborate with
the DOJ, 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.
5


The scientific finding of the VIP shall be integrated with other plans
relating
to
disease
control
and
prevention
and
in
the
plans of the
Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases as created by
Executive Order No. 169 s. 2014, or its successor body, for the management of
public health emergencies relating to infectious diseases.
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 finding of the VIP shall be integrated with other plans
relating
to
disease
control
and
prevention
and
in
the
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 Partnership (PPPs). – the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI), the DOH, Public 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 in the main
research and development unit.
The DOST may also request the assistance of other national and local
government agencies in seeking PPPs where the VIP shall be the main
research and development unit.
SEC 16. Promotion of Virology Industry. – The DOST, in partnership
with the DTI and the DOH shall jointly develop 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 research 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
course
programs,
open
internships
and
scholarships for qualified students of high education institutions (HEIs), and
collaborate with HERs 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 VID-developed Intellectual Property. – The
Governing Board of the VIP shall ensure that all technologies developed
6


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 or property right award granted to the VIP shall be held in the
name of the Philippine Government. In the case of partnerships, the VIP is a
collaborating
research partner, the Governing Board shall ensure that
technologies co-developed by the VIP shall also be 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 deems it 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
by the Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and its
2016 Revised IRR.
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
counties.
SEC. 21. Entitlement of 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. Virology Research Fund. – All donations, contributions,
grants, bequests, or gifts, in cash or in-kind, received by the VIP from various
sources shall be placed into a fund, to be known as the Virology Research
Fund, and such donations shall be exempt from donor’s tax: Provided, That
acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions and donations from a foreign
government 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 DFA.
SEC. 23. Authority to Solicit, Negotiate, and Receive Donations,
Grants, Gifts, Legacies, Endowments, and Contributions. – The VIP may
solicit, negotiate with, and receive from any public or private domestic or
foreign sources legacies, gifts, donations, grants, endowments, contributions,
or other transfers of ownership and/or possession of real or personal
properties of all kinds in favor and for the benefit of the VIP, which shall be
part of the special account in the general fund.
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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 an allowable deduction from gross income for purposes of
computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with Sec. 34 (H) (@)
(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 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 Chairperson 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 appropriation of the
DOST. Thereafter, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 28. Transitory Provisions. –
a. The functions and assets of the DOST units enumerated herein shall be
transferred to the VIP within three (3) years without the need for
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
appointment 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 the 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.
8


c.
Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to
assume positions in the VIP, subject to a competency evaluation and
CSC regulations.
d. Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST transferred
units to VIP shall be utilized solely for the grans’ 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, promulgate the rules and regulations within one hundred twenty
(120) days from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 30. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provision hereof shall remain in
full force and effect.
SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, issuances or part thereof inconsistent with the provision of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.
9