Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit different countries in varying intensity, it 
presented an unprecedented challenge to our government, especially our health 
system in terms of pandemic preparedness, crisis management, and response and 
recovery measures. 
The absence of a virology institute and vaccine manufacturing in the country is 
one of the factors that affected the effectiveness of its pandemic response. During the 
start of the pandemic, we encountered difficulty sourcing vaccines which resulted in 
the slight delay in our vaccination program. We were left at the mercy of other vaccine 
producing countries who refused to sell their produced vaccines because they were 
also using them to protect their citizens from the virus. 
With the ongoing threat of Covid-19 pandemic worldwide and emergence of 
new variants, an efficient national immunization program is the only practical option 
our government can provide to increase resilience in the long run as stringent 
lockdowns have grave repercussions not only to the economy but also to the well-
being of the citizens. 
It is therefore a must that, as part of our national security, we establish our own 
virology institute that would conduct thorough study and research about viruses. This 
would provide us capacity to test emerging ones and other infectious diseases, and 
eventually manufacture the needed vaccines to respond to future pandemics and 
other viral diseases. This will also help save our resources by avoiding procurement 
of vaccines from other countries. 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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This bill was first filed by Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda and Rep. Cheryl Deloso-
Montalla in the 18th Congress. This bill is a copy of the Third Reading Copy that was 
transmitted to the Senate in the 18th Congress.  
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 


 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
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 
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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. 
  
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 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. 
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: 
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. 
 
 
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 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. 
 


 
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. 
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.