^'7/
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
Senate
72 AUG-1 A10 79
SENATE
S.B. No. 941
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)1 emphasized that the 
emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 highlighted the need for Research and 
Development capacities in virology research through the establishment of the Virology 
and Vaccines Institute of the Philippines (VIP). Even with the availability of vaccines 
against Covid-19 nowadays, the country must be prepared in the long run by 
establishing a dedicated government agency that will 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.
Thus, this bill, in creating the VIP, will provide for a pool of highly-trained local 
virology experts and appropriate facilities which can enable researchers to rapidly 
conduct studies on any virus and guide authorities in implementing evidence-informed 
response strategies.
1 Department of Science and Technology. "DOST Secretary Emphasizes the Benefits of a PH Virology 
and Vaccine Institute", https://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/news/74-2022-news/2737- 
dost-secretary-emphasizes-the-benefits-of-a-ph-virology-and-vaccine-institute.html


The VIP will focus on building the body of research on virus strains and the 
diseases they cause to serve as the foundation of applied research studies and the 
development of diagnostic kits, vaccines, and therapeutics not just for humans, but 
also for animal and plant diseases that cause significant losses for local farmers and 
impact animal and agronomic health and food supplies. For example, the Philippines 
experienced an estimated trade loss of about 1 billion Philippine pesos (approximately 
US$ 21 million) after the country saw its first African swine fever outbreak in July 
2019, killing 251,450 pigs from culling and reduced national domestic production by 
8.5%. In July 2020, a case of the highly infectious H5N6 subtype of the influenza A 
virus was reported in Pampanga, prompting a poultry farm to slaughter nearly 39,000 
chickens to curb a bird flu outbreak. In 2017, thetilapia lake virus killed 101,383 tilapia 
in Bulacan-based ponds alone. In 2014, the white spot syndrome virus reduced the 
harvest of penaeid shrimps from 1 to 1.5 tons to as little as 200 kilos per hectare per 
fishpond. The papaya ringspot virus reduced the yield of the small-scale papaya 
industry by 80% in the Southern Tagalog area, worth almost 60 million pesos in 1994.2
The VIP will also serve as a collaborative hub for both Filipino and foreign 
researchers through the availability of its in-house virus gene bank, virus genome 
laboratory, and virus reference laboratory. The VIP sill also provide initiatives to boost 
technology transfer, including thrusts for sustained production and more importantly, 
building local capacities in vaccine development, which will benefit not only the health 
sector in managing persistent viral diseases but also the agricultural sector by 
providing vaccines for animal diseases that impact livestock farms and fisheries.
In view of these considerations, the urgent passage of this^Ml i^earnestly
sought.
GATCHALI
2 Sales, Reneepearl, et al. "Research priority-setting for human, plant, and animal virology: an online 
experience for the Virology Institute of the Philippines," Health, research and Policy Systems, 
https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.eom/articles/10.1186/sl2961-021-00723-z


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. B. No.
SENATE
941
^eiwte
©ffiCf of tlif
*22 AUG-1 AI0 29
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Virology and
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Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act of 2022."
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the
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State:
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a) To protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill
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health consciousness among them;
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b) To undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and
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research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems;
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c) To recognize that science and technology are essential for national
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development and progress;
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d) To give priority to research and development, invention, innovation.
13 and their utilization; and


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e) To support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and
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technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive
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systems and national life.
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To this end, the State shall give high priority to the establishment of an
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institute that will conduct research and development activities and in-depth
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studies on the viruses affecting the lives of its people and resources, such as
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plants and animals, which is vital for the protection of the health of its people
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and the preservation of the national life.
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SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act seeks to establish a virology institute that
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shall focus on the following key development areas for virology science and
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technology applications in plants, animals, and humans:
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a) Research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular
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biology and its application, or biotechnology;
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b) Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics (Molecular
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Biotechnology);
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c) International cooperation and network of databases of virus
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infections;
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d) Operation of a virus gene bank, virus genome laboratory, and virus
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reference laboratory to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease
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prevention and epidemiological studies; and
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e) Operation of a virus high containment laboratory dedicated to the
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study of highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a) Bacteriophage refers to any group of viruses that infect specific
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bacteria, usually causing their disintegration or dissolution;
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b) Biosafety refers to a condition in which the probability of harm, injury
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and damage resulting from the intentional and unintentional introduction
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and/or use of a regulated article is within acceptable and manageable levels;
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c) Biosecurity to a strategic and integrated approach to analyzing
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and managing relevant risks to plant, animal and human life and health and


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associated risks for the environment. It is based on recognition of the critical
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linkages between sectors and the potential for hazards to move within and
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between sectors, with system-wide consequences;
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d) Diagnostics refers to methods, tests, techniques, and tools in viral
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diagnosis for plants, animals and humans;
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e) Therapeutics refers to anti-viral, bacteriophages, nanotechnology
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treatment approach, nucleic acid-based treatment, remedial agents, drugs for
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the treatment of viral diseases and infections of plants, animals and humans;
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f) Vaccines refer to products that induce or stimulate active acquired
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immunity by producing antibodies to a specific infectious agent. It helps the
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body's immune system to recognize and fight pathogens like viruses or
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bacteria;
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g) Virology refers to the scientific discipline concerned with the study of
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the biology of viruses and viral diseases of plant, animal, and human of medical
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importance and pandemic potential including the distribution, pathogenicity,
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viral cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology,
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ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution, and clinical
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aspects of viruses.
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SEC. 5. Creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.
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- The Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created,
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which shall be an attached agency under the Department of Science and
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Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and program coordination to ensure
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alignment with national policies and priorities.
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The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute
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in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in
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plants, animals and humans. It shall be a venue for scientists, research
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institutes and other organizations here in the Philippines and abroad, to work
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collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and
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environmental importance.
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SEC. 6. Powers, Functions, and Duties. - To accomplish its mandate, the
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VIP shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:
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a) Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National Virology
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Research Agenda, in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, that will
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encompass researches involving viruses of plant, animal, and human
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importance;
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b) Undertake scientific and technological research and development
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(R&D) in the field of virology;
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c) Conduct product R&D in the areas of but not limited to diagnostics,
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therapeutics and vaccines;
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d) Promote and undertake the transfer of the results of scientific
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research and development to concerned government agencies, industry, and
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academe;
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e) Promote and advocate virology research ethics, biosafety, and
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biosecurity;
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f) Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and
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technology for use by both the public and private sectors;
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g) Develop and implement, together with other entities concerned,
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programs for strengthening scientific and technological capabilities in virology
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and relevant disciplines through human resource development, infrastructure,
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and institution building;
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h) Undertake policy research, technology assessment, and other related
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studies on virology;
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i) Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;
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j) Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and
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technology; and
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k) Establish linkages with local and international partners.
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SEC. 7. Organizational Structure. - The VIP shall be headed by a
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Director-General and two (2) Deputy Directors-General - one (1) for Research
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and Development, and one (1) for Support, Policy, and Linkages.
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The VIP shall be composed of the following divisions:


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a) Virus Research
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b) Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
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c) Vaccines Research
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d) Technical Services and Training
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e) Policy, Planning, and Linkages
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f) Finance and Administration
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The Deputy Director-General for Research and Development shall head
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the Virus Research; Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research; and Vaccines
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Research Divisions.
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The Deputy Director-General for Support, Policy, and Linkages shall head
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the Technical Services and Training; Policy, Planning, and Linkages; and
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Finance and Administration Divisions.
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The VIP shall have technical and administrative support staff and
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consultants. The consultants may come from the public and private sectors on
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a consultancy or contractual basis, and shall be granted honoraria or allowances
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in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
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Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management
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(DBM), the VIP shall determine its organizational structure, create new divisions
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or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and employees.
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For this purpose, the VIP shall, in consultation with the DBM, determine
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the necessary position qualifications and standards for its personnel following
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civil service laws, rules, and regulations.
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SEC. 8. Qualifications of the Director-General and Deputy Directors-
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General. - The Director-General shall have a rank of an Undersecretary, and
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shall be a qualified expert possessing at least a Bachelor's Degree in Biology,
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Microbiology and/or an allied discipline; preferably with a doctorate degree in
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medical sciences and/or in virology-related discipline with three to five years of
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experience in diagnostic virology.
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The Director-General shall have overall responsibility for the activities
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including the supervision of all the staff working in the VIP. In addition, he/she
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shall be directly responsible for reporting to the Secretary of Science and


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Technology, and the President of the Philippines, the results of the various
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diagnostic assays and research studies performed in the institute.
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Each of the Deputy Directors-General of the VIP shall have a rank of
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Assistant Secretary. The Deputy Directors-General shall possess at least the
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educational background of the Director-General.
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SEC. 9. Term of Office. -The Director-General and the Deputy Directors-
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General shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the
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recommendation of the DOST Secretary, for a term of seven years. Of those
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first appointed, the Director General shall hold office for seven years, one
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Deputy Director-General for five years, and the other Deputy Director-General
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for three years. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired
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portion of the term of the predecessor.
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SEC. 10. The Governing Board. - The Governing Board shall be the
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highest policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the
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VIP, composed of the following:
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a) The Secretary of Science and Technology, as Chairperson;
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b) The Secretary of Health, as Co-Chairperson;
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c) The Secretary of Agriculture, as Co-Chairperson;
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d) The Secretary of Trade and Industry, as may be represented by an
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Undersecretary for Industry Development and Trade Policy;
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e) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, as may 
be
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represented by an Undersecretary, as member;
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f) The Undersecretary for Research and Development of the DOST, as
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member;
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g) The Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as may be represented by the
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Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, as member;
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h) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as
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member;
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i) The Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medical Medicine
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(RITM), as member;


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j) The Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as
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member;
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k) The Director-General of the VIP, as member;
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I) The Executive Director of University of the Philippines-National
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Institute of Flealth (UP-NIFI), as member; and
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m) Three (3) representatives from the private sector appointed by the
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President of the Philippines, as nominated by the Governing Board. These
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representatives shall have distinguished themselves in the field of medical
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virology, genomics, plant virology, animal virology, epidemiology, genetic
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engineering, and other related disciplines.
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The private sector shall be represented by the following:
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i. An association of medical or allied-health professionals
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ii. Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association or from a
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recognized pharmaceutical industry
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iii. An academic institution with research and development
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activities in the field of medical virology, genomics, plant virology, animal
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virology, epidemiology, genetic engineering, and other related
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disciplines.
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The VIP shall serve as the Secretariat of the Governing 
Board with the
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Deputy Director-General for Support, Policy, and Linkages acting concurrently
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as the Executive Director of the Secretariat.
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SEC. 11. Functions of the Governing Board. -The Governing Board shall
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be the policy-making body for the scientific and technological activities of the
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VIP. It shall:
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a) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the management 
and
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operation of the VIP;
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b) Collect fees, through its Secretariat, in connection with the exercise
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of its regulatory powers;
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c) Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of
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funds, equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment of its
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objectives;


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d) Provide grants, research fund, materials and equipment for the
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conduct of virology researches by both public and private higher education
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institutions;
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e) Establish an editorial office of a refereed journal of virology, and a
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library which shall collect and preserve books, journals and other reference
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materials in the field of virology; and
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f) Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the DOST
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Secretary.
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SEC. 12. Compliance with Existing Government Regulations. - The VIP
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shall comply with the procedures, rules and regulations of other Government
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Offices mandated to oversee the practice of virology and other related
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disciplines as well as the operation of laboratories, clinics, diagnostics and
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similar facilities, but not limited to the following: procurement of specimen,
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supplies, materials, and equipment; handling, storage, the study of specimen;
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and disposal of specimen, equipment and other forms of waste.
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The Department of Health (DOH) Health Facilities and Services
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Regulatory Bureau (HFSRB) shall establish guidelines on the regulation and
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operation of virology-related facilities, to be assisted by the Department of
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Agriculture (DA) - Bureau of Animal Industry, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, and
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other relevant stakeholders.
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The DOH-Health Human Resource Development Bureau shall establish
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guidelines on the practice of virology profession in the country to be assisted
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by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and its health-related
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accredited professional organizations, together with the CHED, Department of
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Labor and Employment, Civil Service Commission, Bureau of Immigration, and
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other relevant government offices.
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The DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and
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the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) shall ensure
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compliance of the VIP and other virology facilities with regard to waste disposal.


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Finally, research proposals prior to its undertaking within the VIP shall 
be reviewed by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) or through 
its accredited ethics review committees or entities.
Processes and regulations of the FDA, Health Technology Assessment 
Council and/or of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines shall be 
strictly observed prior to commercialization of any drug, vaccine, diagnostics, 
device and other similar products.
An Inter-Agency Task Force may be created to monitor compliance of all 
virology-related professions and facilities throughout the country to be headed 
by the DOH-HFSRB.
SEC. 13. 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. 14. 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.
The VIP can 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 technical, 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. 15. Interdepartmental Cooperation. - The VIP shall collaborate with 
the DOH, Department of Finance (DOF), FDA, RITM and other relevant 
government agencies, in mobilizing resources such as but not limited to


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research information, reports, technical expertise, equipment, materials and 
supplies as may be required to implement this Act.
SEC. 16. Inter-Agency Contribution of the VIP. - The research outputs of 
the VIP shall be integrated with the plans made by 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. The research outputs of the VIP shall also be 
integrated into other plans relating to disease control and prevention.
SEC. 17. Private-Pubiic Partnerships (PPPs). - The Department of Trade 
and Industry (DTI), the DOH, the 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. 18. Promotion of Virology Industry. - The DOST, in partnership with 
the DOH-Health Promotion and Communication Service, DOH-Disease 
Prevention and Control Bureau, and DTI-Board of Investments, 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 that shall be 
developed or established resulting from the VIP researches shall be included in 
the national government's priority industries for incentives.
SEC. 19. 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
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universities and colleges (SUCs). Towards this end, the VIP shall assist SUCs in
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the creation of virology courses and programs, open internships for qualified
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students of higher education institutions (HEIs), and collaborate with SUCs and
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HEIs in the creation of virology research centers. The CHED shall collaborate
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with the DOST in the promotion of SUC/HEI-VIP partnerships.
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SEC. 20. Protection of VIP-developed Intellectual Property. - The
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Governing Board of the VIP shall ensure that all technologies developed
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exclusively by the VIP with full funding from Filipino taxpayers shall be
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protected by intellectual property laws in accordance with Republic Act No.
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10055 or the "Technology Transfer Act of 2009", and other applicable laws.
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Any patent grant or intellectual property right awarded or granted to the
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VIP shall be held by and in the name of the Philippine Government. In the case
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of partnerships, where the VIP is a collaborating research partner, the
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Governing Board shall ensure that technologies co-developed by the VIP shall
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also be co-attributed, with the corresponding intellectual protections, to the
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Philippine Government.
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SEC. 21. Procurement of Specialized Materials, Equipment and Services.
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- The VIP shall undertake the procurement of specialized materials, equipment,
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and services to be used by the VIP in its operation and administration, in the
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most expeditious manner, as exemptions from the provisions of Republic Act
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No. 9184 or the "Government Procurement Reform Act", and other relevant
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laws: Provided, That during a public health emergency, the following shall be
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observed:
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a) Less stringent procurement procedures allowing negotiated
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procurement, higher caps on allowable down payment for procurement of
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goods, supplies, equipment and services;
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b) Authority to the DOST Secretary to approve advance payment of more
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than 15% for procurement of goods, supplies, equipment and services, for
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faster facilitation;
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c) Simplified process for foreign procurement especially with specialized 
equipment, reagents, and supplies not available in the Philippines;
d) Exemption from customs duties and taxes for all VIP supplies and 
equipment procured abroad; and
e) Exemption from taxes on income generated through training and 
other delivery of services of VIP.
SEC. 22. 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 pathogens following the WHO guidelines on 
the establishment of a virology laboratory in developing countries.
SEC. 23. 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. 24. Virology Research Fund. - There is hereby created a Virology 
Research Fund to be used and 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. This is the 
same amount stated in Section 29 hereof;
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,
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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 DFA.
The Secretary of DOST, with the approval of the NEDA and 
subsequently, the DOF, is hereby granted the authority to enter into loan 
agreements with foreign financial institutions.
SEC. 25. Authority to Solicit, Receive Donations, Grants and the Like. - 
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 exempt from donor's tax and shall all be part of the special account in 
the general fund managed by the DOF.
The VIP shall prescribe the measures necessary for the proper use, 
maintenance and safekeeping of said donations, grants, endowments, 
contributions or transfers and the compliance of the terms and conditions 
thereon, if any, in accordance with pertinent accounting and auditing laws, rules 
and regulations.
SEC. 26. Use of Income. - The VIP shall be authorized to use all of the 
income generated from its operations, as well as donations, bequests, grants, 
endowments, and the like, for the upgrading if its physical and human 
resources, and for the augmentation of its budget.
SEC. 27. Mandatory Adoption of Pubiiciy-Funded Technologies. - 
Mandatory adoption of publicly-funded and generated technologies developed 
by the VIP, whenever feasible and practicable, shall strictly be implemented by 
all government entities or instrumentalities.
All national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned-and- 
controlled corporations (GOCCs), SUCs, and local government units (LGUs),
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performing science and technology development projects shall adopt publicly- 
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SEC. 28. Annual Report. - The VIP shall submit its annual report to the 
President, and to the Committees on Science and Technology in both Chambers 
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. 29. 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, as members, the Chairpersons of the Senate 
Committees on Health and Demography; and Agriculture, Food and Agrarian 
Reform; the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health; and Food and 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and two others from each chamber 
of Congress to be respectively appointed by the Senate President, and the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 30. Appropriations. - The sum of Two Billion Pesos (Php 
2,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the initial operation fund of the 
VIP from the current fiscal year's appropriation. Thereafter, the amount needed 
for its operation shall be included in the GAA.
SEC. 31. Transitory Provisions. - Upon the establishment of the VIP, the 
functions and assets of the concerned DOH units shall be transferred to the VIP 
without need of conveyance, transfer of assignment.
(a) For the year during which this Act was approved, the unexpended 
portion of the budget of the offices and units transferred shall be utilized for 
establishing the VIP and initiating its operations, including the formulation of 
the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act;
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(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/offices within the DOST without
reduction in pay; or
(2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation
incentives as provided by existing laws;
(c) Incumbent DOST officials and employees of affected DOST offices 
may be considered as a VIP official or employee, subject to competency 
evaluation and CSC 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; and
(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. 32. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -The DOST Secretary, in 
consultation with DBM, DOH, CSC, DOF, DFA, CFIED, and other relevant 
government agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations 
within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 33. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 34. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, presidential decrees or 
issuances, executive orders, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules.
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and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.
SEC. 35. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,
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