Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE
Since last March 2020, the ongoing outbreak (covid19 pandemic) presents 
many serious concerns, especially on effective clinical and public health 
management specially on novel viruses that cross the species barrier. This is 
since that there are very few studies and limited information on viral 
pathogenesis; risk factors for infection; the natural history of disease including 
clinical presentation and outcomes; prognostic factors for severe illness; the 
period of infectivity; modes and extent of virus inter-human transmission; 
effective preventive measures; and public health response and containment 
interventions.  
As of today, there is no treatment that can effectively eliminate COVID-19 yet 
although fast track research and development efforts, are ongoing across the 
world. 
These are very threatening issues that can only be addressed using science and 
technology, specifically through research and development (R&D). It is therefore 
imperative that we establish a Research Institute that dives into the study of 
viruses and vaccines or the field of virology.  
The country needs to act now to detect and control the spread of the existing 
viruses; vaccines to provide long-term protection; treatments to save lives in the 
shorter-term, implications.  
August 2, 2021
10:05 am
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This House Bill seeks to create a Virology and Vaccine Institute, defining its 
powers and functions, and providing appropriations therefor. 
Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
MICHAEL L. ROMERO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ___ 
Introduced by Honorable Michael L. Romero 
    AN ACT 
CREATING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
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. 
SECTION 
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY. - It shall hereby be a 
declared the policy of the State: 
a). To foster the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them; 
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b). To commence appropriate health, manpower development, 
and research, responsive to the country's health needs and 
problems; and 
c). To prioritize research and development, invention, 
innovation, and their utilization for future endeavor. 
The state is very cognizant, that the establishment of an institute that will 
conduct research and development activities/in-depth study on the viruses and 
the vaccines affecting the lives of its people and resources is vital for the 
protection of the health of its people and the preservation of all life. 
SECTION 
3. 
CREATION OF THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE 
INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, 
there shall hereby be created a Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines. 
The institute shall serve as the leading research and development institute in 
the field of virology and vaccine, encompassing all areas in viruses and vaccines 
for humans, plants, and animals.  
The institute shall act as a venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to 
work collaboratively to study viruses and vaccines in all fields and 
environmental importance. 
The Institute shall establish strategic partnerships with the world's 
leading scientists, virology and vaccine centers. 
The institutes shall conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will 
advance the frontiers of virology and vaccination in the country. 
SECTION 
4. 
AUTHORITY. - The Institute shall therefor implement 
policies, plans, programs, and projects for the development of virology and 
vaccine technology in the country for both the public and private sectors. 
The institute 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 all its citizenry and its environment. 


SECTION 
5. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – The institute shall have 
the following powers and functions: 
a). Serve as the lead implementor of the Virology and Vaccine 
research; 
b). Foster the transfer of the results of scientific research and 
development to concerned government agencies, industry; 
c). Develop an information system on virology and vaccines 
technology for use by both the public and private sectors; 
d). Implement, together with other entities concerned, 
programs for strengthening research and development 
technological capabilities in virology and vaccination and 
other 
relevant 
disciplines 
through 
human 
resource 
development, infrastructure, and institution building; 
e). Provide laboratory and technical services on virology and 
vaccines; and 
f). Create linkages with local and international partners. 
SECTION 
6. 
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. - The institute be an 
attached agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for 
purposes of policy and program coordination, and to ensure alignment in 
national policies and priorities.  
The institute shall be composed of the following offices and divisions: 
a). 
Virology Research;  
b). 
Diagnostics and Statistics Research; 
c).  
Vaccines Research; 
d).  
Technical Services and Training; 
e).  
Policy, Planning, and Relations; and 
f).  
Finance and Administration 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), 
the institute shall determine its organizational structure and create new 
divisions and staffing patterns as it may deem necessary. 


SECTION 
7. 
THE SUPREME COUNCIL. - The Supreme Council 
shall be the principal policy-making body for the research and development 
activities of the Institute. The institute shall be composed of the following: 
l). Chairperson, Secretary of DOST; 
2). Co-chairperson, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST;  
3). Member, Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH);  
4). Member, Director of the Centers for Disease Prevention 
and Control; and 
5). Member, Director of Philippine Virology and Vaccine 
Institute. 
SECTION 
8. 
TRANSFER OF OFFICES AND UNITS. - All offices and 
staffing under the DOST system that are handling matters related to virology 
and vaccination shall be transferred to the institute. 
This mandatory transfer shall include the functions, appropriations, funds, 
records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and 
liabilities, if any. 
SECTION 
9. 
INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCES. - The institute shall 
enter into a memorandum of agreement or memorandum of understanding with 
international partners, upon the approval of its Supreme Council. 
SECTION 
10. 
TO MAGNA CARTA BENEFITS. – All Qualified 
employees of the institute 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". 
SECTION 
11. 
ANNUAL REPORT. - The institute shall submit analysis 
and findings to the President and the Committee on Science and Technology in 
both Chambers of the Congress not later than the 15th of April of every year 
following the effectivity of this Act.  


The report shall provide a detailed account of the status of the 
implementation of this Act and recommended legislation, where applicable and 
necessary. 
SECTION 
12. 
APPROPRIATION. - There shall hereby be created a 
Virology and Vaccine Research Fund to be used exclusively for the 
implementation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute Strategic Plan, following, 
existing government budgeting, prevailing accounting and auditing rules and 
regulations.  
The Funding shall be sourced from the following: 
a). The initial amount of Ten (10) Billion pesos (Php 
10,000,000,000.00) to be taken from the current fiscal year's 
appropriation, in the General Appropriation Act (GAA) that 
was approved on the year it was enacted; 
b). The income produced from its operations, technology 
transfer, and licensing agreements; and 
c). Loans, contributions, grants, bequests, gifts, and 
donations whether from local or foreign sources. Provided, 
that acceptance of grants, bequests, contributions, and 
donations from foreign governments shall be subject to the 
approval of the President upon the recommendation of the 
Secretary of the DOST and Secretary of the Department of 
Foreign Affairs (DFA).  
The Secretary of DOST, with the approval of the NEDA and 
subsequently, the Department of Finance (DOF), is hereby 
granted the authority to enter into loan agreements with 
foreign financial institutions. 
SECTION 
13. 
UTILIZATION OF INCOME. - The institute shall be 
authorized to use all the income generated from its operations, as well as 
donations, bequests, grants for the upgrading if its physical and human 
resources, and for the augmentation of its budget, as needed. 


SECTION 
14. 
TRANSITORY 
PROVISION – 
Existing 
industries, 
businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given 
six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other 
period as may be determined, to comply with the requirements of this Act. 
SECTION 
15. 
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. – The 
departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions of this Act 
shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate the 
necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
SECTION 
16. 
REPEALING CLAUSE. – All laws, decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 
17. 
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any 
section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby. 
SECTION 
18. 
EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – This Act shall take effect 
after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,