Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 1179

Introduced by Honorable Bryan B. Revilla

AN ACT
ESTABLISING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the country needs
diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of existing viruses, vaccines to provide long-term
protection; treatments to save lives in the shorter term, and social science to understand their
behavioral and societal implications.

The COVID-19 pandemic made us aware of the need to vigorously advance science,
technology and innovations. This measure seeks to establish the Philippine Virology and Science
and Technology Institute that will guide us and help us with the challenges of the New Normal.

This bill was filed and approved in the third and final reading during the 18" Congress.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought

AN B. REVILLA
Representative
AGIMAT Partylist



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BLL No,_ 2179

Introduced by Honorable Bryan B. Revilla

AN ACT
ESTABLISING THE PHILIPPINE VIROLOGY SICENCE 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 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:

4) Operation ofa 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,

€) Operation ofa 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;

¢) 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 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;

€) 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 refer 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

8) 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 cytopathicity, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology.
biotechnology, ecology, tropism, spillover or interspecies transmission, evolution and clinical

aspeets of virus.

SEC. 5, Creation of the tute of the Philippines, —

‘The Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) is hereby created and shall

logy Science and Technology In:

be an attached agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the 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 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 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:

€) 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 Director 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


Vaccines Research
Technical Services and Training
Policy, Planning and Linkages

aunw

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 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 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 in 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

e

Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

Undersecretary for Technology for Research and Development of the DOST;

f) Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for International Economic

Relations;

8) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
h) Director for Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM);
i
j) Director of VIP;
k
r
m) Representative from the National Research Council of the Philippines: and

Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FD),

Executive Director for the University of the Philippines ~ National Institute of Health;
Representative from the National Academy of Science and Technology;

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 1. 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 and 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 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. 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
my be required to implement this Act.

The scientific finding 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 Partnership (PPPs). - the Department of Trade and Industry (DTT)
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 and 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 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 fom
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 an in the name of the Philippine Government.
In the case of partnerships, there 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 of 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 guideline 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
and 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 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 fo 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) (@) (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 30" 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 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 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 patter 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
RA. No. 6656 and other relevant laws.
¢. Incumber DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume positions in the VIP,

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 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 provision of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or

modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivit

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

‘ - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its

Approved,