EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
J-]: & '.it,'
SENATE
S.B. No. 1548
RE(
Introduced by SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 
INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The novel coronavirus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 
(SARS-CoV2), has caught the world unprepared. Spreading exponentially, SARS- 
CoV2 resulted in a global pandemic as millions and millions of people contracted 
the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Since its first occurrence in the last quarter 
of 2019, the virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. On 25 May 
2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there have been 
5,307,298 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and out of this number, 342,070 
individuals died, accounting to a 6.45% fatality rate. In the Philippines, the 
Department of Health reported that as of 25 May 2020, 14,319 people were 
confirmed to have contracted the disease, and 873 of whom died - giving us a 
fatality rate of 6.1%. In addition, this health crisis has resulted in widespread social 
and economic crises, the impacts of which are devastating, especially to the poor.
The ongoing outbreak presents many concerns, particularly on effective clinical 
and public health management on novel viruses that cross the species barrier or 
what we call zoonotic viruses. This is due to 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 writing, there is no antiviral treatment or vaccine 
available for COVID-19 yet although fast track research and development efforts, 
including clinical therapeutic trials, are ongoing across the world.
Amid this pandemic, the country is also faced with problems on a novel, emerging, 
re-emerging, and enzootic viruses affecting livestock and plants. These problems 
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 delves into the study of viruses or the field of virology. The


country needs diagnostics to detect and iimit the spread of the existing viruses; 
vaccines to provide iong-term protection; treatments to save lives in the shorter- 
term, and social science to understand their behavioral and societal implications.
In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.
HON. PAI
LACSON


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S.B. Nol543
Su;': 
'.Aff,..
20 MAY 26 R3 'M
Introduced by SENATOR PANFILO M. LACSON
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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 of 2020”.
SECTION. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State:
a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them;
b) To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and research, 
responsive to the country's health needs and problems;
c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national
development and progress;
d) To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and 
their utilization; and
e) To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and 
technological capabilities, and their application to the country s productive 
systems and national life.
To this end, it is recognized that the establishment of an institute that will 
conduct research and development activities/in-depth study on the viruses 
affecting the lives of its people and resources is vital for the protection of 
the health of its people and the preservation of the national life.
SECTION 3. Objectives. This Act seeks to establish a Virology Institute that shall 
focus on the following key development areas for virology science and technology 
applications to ensure the state’s sustained progress:
a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology 
and its application or biotechnology.


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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 laboratory, and virus 
reference laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for 
disease prevention and epidemioiogicai studies.
e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the study of 
highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms.
mean:
As used in this Act, the following terms shall
a) Virology - is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology 
of viruses and viral diseases, including the distribution, pathogenicity, viral 
cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, 
ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and 
clinical aspects of viruses.
b) Diagnostics - relates to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral
diagnosis for humans, animals, and plants
c) Therapeutics - anti-viral, nanotechnology treatment approach, nucleic acid- 
based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for the treatment of viral diseases 
and infections for humans, animals, and plants
d) Vaccines - are 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.
SECTION 5. Creation of the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the 
Philippines. To carry out the provisions of this Act, a research and development 
institute under the Department of Science and Technology called the Virology 
Science and Technology Institute of the Phiiippines (VIP) shall be created.
The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in the field 
of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants, 
and animals. It shall act as a venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to work 
collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and 
environmental importance.
The Institute 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.
SECTION 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, and 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 its resources.
SECTION 7. Powers, Functions, and Duties. To accomplish its mandate, the 
VIP shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:


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a) Serve as the lead convener of the Virology research agenda as part of the 
National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA);
b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development (R&D) 
in the field of virology:
c) Conduct product R&D in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, and 
vaccines:
d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific research and 
development to concerned government agencies, industry, and academe:
e) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and 
technology for use by both the public and private sectors:
f) 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 buiiding:
g) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related 
researches on virology:
h) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology:
i) 
Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and 
technology: and
j) 
Establish linkages with local and international partners.
SECTION 8. Organizational Structure. The VIP shall be an attached agency of 
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and 
program coordination, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities. 
It shall be headed by a Director and two (2) Deputy Directors, one (1) for Research 
and Development, and another one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages.
The VIP shall be composed of the Office of the Director, Office of the Deputy 
Director for Research and Development, Office of the Deputy Director or Support, 
Policy, and Linkages and the following divisions:
a) Virus Research
b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
c) Vaccines Research
d) Technical Services and Training
e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages
f) Finance and Administration
The Deputy Director for Research and Development shall head the first three (3) 
divisions while the Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall head 
the next three (3) divisions.
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the 
VIP shall determine its organizational structure and create new divisions or units 
as it may deem necessary and shall appoint officers and employees of the VIP 
following the civil service laws, rules, and regulations.


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For this purpose, the Institute shall draw up the necessary position qualifications 
and standards for its personnel following the Civil Service Law, rules and 
regulations, in consultation with the DBM.
SECTION 9. The Governing Board. The Governing Board shall be the principal 
policy-making body for scientific and technological activities of the Institute. It shall 
be composed of the following:
a) Chairperson, Secretary of DOST
b) Co-chairperson, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST
c) Members:
Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH)
Undersecretary of Department of Agriculture (DA)
Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Philippines (CDC 
PHL)
iv. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Health Research & 
Development (PCHRD)
V. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and 
Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
vi. Executive Director of Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and 
Emerging Technology Research & Development (PCIEERD)
vii. Director of Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute (VIP)
viii. Director of University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP- 
NIH)
ix. Three (3) representatives from the Private Sector elected by the ex-officio 
Board Members
SECTION 10. Transfer of Offices and Units. All offices and units under the 
DOST system that are handling matters related to virology shall be transferred to 
the VIP.
The transfer of an office or unit shall include the functions, appropriations, funds, 
records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, and liabilities, 
if any, of the transferred office or unit as well as the personnel thereof, as may be 
necessary.
SECTION 11. Engagement of Baltk Scientists and Foreign Experts. The
institute may engage Balik Scientists and foreign experts following the terms of 
reference and compensation structure of the Balik Scientist Program.
SECTION 12. International Cooperation. The VIP may enter into a memorandum 
of agreement or memorandum of understanding with international partners, upon 
the approval of its Governing Board.
SECTION 13. 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 (BCDA) within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac-shall be allocated 
exclusively for the Institute, its research facilities, and laboratories The biosafety 
infrastructure shall be designed based on risk assessment for handling specific


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pathogens following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on the 
establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries.
SECTION 14. Entitlement to Magna Carta Benefits. Qualified employees of 
VIP and its attached units 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 15. Annual Report. The VIP shall submit to the President and the 
Committee on Science and Technology in both Chambers of the Congress not 
later than the 30th of March 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 16. Virology Research Fund. There is hereby created a Virology 
Research Fund to be used exclusively for the implementation of the Virology 
Institute Strategic Plan, which shall be administered by the VIP following, existing 
government budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations. The Fund 
shall be sourced from the following:
a) The initial amount of Two Billion pesos (P 2,000,000,000.00) to be taken 
from the current fiscal year’s appropriation, in case the General 
Appropriation Act (GAA) was approved before this law is enacted.
b) The income produced from its operations, technology transfer, and 
licensing agreements.
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 17. Use of Income. The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the income 
generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants for the 
upgrading of its physical and human resources, and for the augmentation of its 
budget, in case of a shortfall.
SECTION 18. Appropriations. The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php 
2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as an initial operating fund for the 
operation of the Institute, taken from the current fiscal year’s appropriation. 
Thereafter, the amount needed for its operation shall be included in the General 
Appropriation Act.
SECTION 19. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within one hundred 
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOST in coordination with 
DBM, Civil Service Commission, and other relevant government agencies, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of 
this Act.


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SECTION 20. Separability Clause. Any portion or provision of this Act that may 
be deciared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying the 
other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portion or provision 
can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SECTION 21. Repealing Clause. Ail 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.
SECTION 22. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
in the Philippines.
Approved,