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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE and ERIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The need for effective clinical and public health management and solutions based on 
scientific data—prompted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic—has led to an 
immense call for an empowered, highly specialized, science and ICT based, and fast 
and responsive formal institution that would be at the forefront of handling viruses 
that primarily affect human beings such as COVID-19 or dengue; viruses that affect 
our livestock such as the African Swine Fever (ASF); or viruses that affect our crops 
such as the Tungro virus.  
While the initiative of various agencies tasked with handling an epidemic is 
noteworthy, it is still not optimal. Evident to this is the unprecedented proliferation of 
the COVID-19 pandemic, which repercussions account for 60,000 deaths as of August 
2022 according to the Department of Health.  
A response-based set of various agencies, including task forces, is still not tantamount 
to a comprehensive and independent agency that is mandated to carry out a series of 
tasks in public health management which includes, but are not limited to, conduct of 
in-depth studies on viruses and their potential disease-causing agents, formulation of 
policies to avoid the transmission of viral infections, and development of diagnostics, 
vaccines, and therapeutics against these viruses.  
As a response to this clamor, this bill seeks to establish the Philippine Virology Science 
and Technology Institute which will focus on key development areas for virology 
science and technology applications in plants, animals, and humans.  
August 9, 2022
3:30 pm
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In addition, the country cannot afford another casualty in lieu of a still lacking 
government agency that could have mitigate, as well as prevent, viral surges that are 
perennial and critical to public health and safety. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
PAOLO Z. DUTERTE 
ERIC G. YAP 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representatives PAOLO Z. DUTERTE and ERIC G. YAP 
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 is 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 bases 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 
applications 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;
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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 virus. 
 
 
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 for 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 refer 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 or 
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, viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular 
biology, biotechnology, ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies 
transmission, evolution, and clinical aspects of viruses. 
 
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 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 institutes and other 
organizations in the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses 
of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance. 
 


 
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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 for 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; 
 
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. 
 


 
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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 
operations of the Virus Research, Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research, and 
Vaccines Research Divisions. The Deputy Director for Support, Policy, and Linkages 
shall oversee the operations of the Technical Services and Training, Policy, Planning, 
and Linkages, and Finance and Administration Divisions. 
 
The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants. 
The consultants may come from the public and private sectors on a consultancy or 
contractual basis, and shall be granted honoraria or allowances in accordance with 
existing rules and regulations. 
 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), 
the VIP shall determine its organizational 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. 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) 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 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 diagnostic 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. 
 


 
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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 of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine (RITM); 
i) Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); 
j) Director of VIP; 
k) Executive Director of 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 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 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. 


 
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SEC. 13. International 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 Board of the VIP. 
 
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 findings of the VIP shall be integrated in 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 Partnerships (PPPs). - 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 Virology Industry. - The DOST, in partnership with the 
TI 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'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 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. 


 
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The CHED shall collaborate with the DOST in the promotion of HEI-VIP 
partnerships. 
 
SEC. 18. Protection of VIP-developed 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" 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 deems 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. 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 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. Entitlement 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. 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 foreign governments shall be subject to the 
approval of the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of the 
Secretary of 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 


 
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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. - 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 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 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 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 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 appropriations 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 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. 


 
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c. Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume 
positions in the VIP, subject to competency evaluation and CC 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 any portion or 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. 
 
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,