Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE 
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
More than two years since the start of the global pandemic, nations across the world are still 
reeling from the effects of COVID-19. While some countries have started to move forward 
and open their borders, there are still those who continue to impose lockdowns and other 
preventive restrictions. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role medical experts play in the 
battle against viruses. They help key decision and policy makers create a strategy to contain 
the spread of the coronavirus through efficient and effective research and development 
processes. Virologists, in particular, helped track the cause and spread of the COVID-19 
virus. As experts in the field of viral infections, they investigate and study how a specific virus 
respond to antiviral drugs and help create potential vaccines. 
It is therefore imperative for the Philippines to establish a dedicated research institute that 
dives into the in-depth study of viruses—including how to diagnose, manage, and prevent 
viral infections—and vaccines. We've already seen how essential medical frontliners, 
virologists included, are in saving lives and reducing the economic impact of a global 
pandemic caused by a virus. 
So this House Bill seeks to create the Virology and Vaccine Institute, which shall serve as the 
leading research and development institute in the Philippines in the field of virology and 
vaccine. 
In view thereof, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
   REP. MARLYN B. ALONTE 
 Lone District of Binan 
August 16, 2022
3:13 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN B. ALONTE 
_______________________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT CREATING THE VIROLOGY AND VACCINE INSTITUTE 
OF THE  PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines. 
SECTION   
2. 
DECLARATION OF POLICY. - It shall 
hereby be the  declared policy of the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people, instill health consciousness among them and 
improve the quality of life of every Filipino through empowering and 
enabling local research efforts, endeavors, advancements and 
developments. 
In line with this, the State recognizes the importance of the establishment 
of a virology and vaccine research and development institute that will 
conduct vaccine research, development, invention and innovation for the 
protection of the people and the preservation of all life. 
SECTION           3.    CREATION    OF    THE    VIROLOGY    AND 
VACCINE INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES. - To carry out the  
provisions of this Act, and to ensure alignment with national policies and 
priorities, the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines shall be attached 
to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and  
program coordination. 
The institute shall serve as the leading research and development institute 
in the field of virology and vaccine, encompassing all areas in viruses and  
vaccines  for humans, plants, and animals. 
The institute shall act as a venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to work 
collaboratively to study viruses and vaccines in  all  fields  and environmental 
importance. 
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The Institute shall establish strategic partnerships with the world's leading 
scientists, virology and vaccine centers. 
 
The institutes shall conduct innovative and pioneering researches that will 
advance the frontiers of virology and vaccination in the country. 
 
SECTION 4. AUTHORITY. -  The Institute  shall  therefor  
implement policies, plans, programs, and projects for the development of 
virology  and vaccine technology in the country for both the public and 
private sectors. 
 
The institute 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 all its citizenry and its 
environment. 
 
SECTION 5. 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS. – To fulfill the 
foregoing declared policies and objectives, the institute shall have  the 
following powers and functions: 
 
a). Act as the lead implementor of the Virology and 
Vaccine research that will spearhead the inception and 
materialization of a national virology research plan; 
 
b). Foster the transfer of the results of scientific research 
and  development to concerned government agencies, 
industry; 
 
c). Develop an information system on virology and 
vaccines technology for use by both the public and 
private sectors; 
 
d). Implement, together with other entities concerned, 
programs for strengthening research and development 
technological capabilities in virology and vaccination and 
other relevant disciplines through human resource 
development, infrastructure, and institution building; 
 
e). Undertake research and development innovations that 
directly address the current state of existing and emerging 
viruses and infectious diseases; 
 
f). 
Coordinate with appropriate local and international bodies 
in forming effective diagnostic strategies; 
 
g). Provide laboratory and technical services on virology 
and  vaccines; and 
 
h). Support efforts towards the training of Filipino virology  
                                       experts and local researches. 
 
 
 
 


SECTION 6. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. - The 
institute be an attached agency under the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST) for purposes of policy and program coordination, 
and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities. 
 
The institute shall be composed of the following offices and divisions: 
 
a). 
Virology Research; 
b). 
Diagnostics and Statistics 
Research; 
c). 
 Vaccines Research; 
d). 
Technical Services and Training; 
e). 
Policy, Planning, and 
Relations;  
f). 
 Finance and Administration 
 
Subject to the approval of the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM), the institute shall determine its organizational  structure  and  
create  new divisions and staffing patterns as it may deem necessary. 
 
SECTION     7.    THE  SUPREME  COUNCIL.  -  The  Supreme  
Council shall be the principal policy-making body for the research and 
development activities of the Institute. The institute shall be composed of 
the following: 
 
l). Chairperson, Secretary of DOST; 
2). Co-chairperson, Undersecretary for R&D, DOST; 
3). Member, Undersecretary of Department of Health (DOH); 
4). Member, Director of the Centers for Disease 
Prevention and Control; and 
5). Member, Director of Philippine Virology and 
Vaccine Institute. 
 
               SECTION 8. 
TRANSFER OF OFFICES AND UNITS. - All offices 
and staffing under the DOST system that are handling matters related to 
virology and vaccination shall be transferred to the institute. 
 
This mandatory transfer shall include the functions, appropriations, 
funds, records, equipment, facilities, choses in action, rights, other assets, 
and liabilities, if any. 
 
SECTION  9.  INTERNATIONAL  ALLIANCES.  -  The  
institute  shall enter into a memorandum of agreement or memorandum of 
understanding with international partners, upon the approval of its 
Supreme Council. 
 
SECTION 10. 
TO MAGNA CARTA BENEFITS. – All Qualified 
employees of the institute shall be covered by Republic Act No. 8439, 
otherwise known as "Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers 
and Other Science and Technology Personnel in Government". 
 
 
 
 
 


SECTION     11.     ANNUAL REPORT. - The institute shall submit 
analysis and findings to the President and the Committee on Science and 
Technology in both Chambers of the Congress not later than the 15th of April 
of every year following the effectivity of this Act. 
 
The report shall provide a detailed account of the status of the implementation 
of this Act and recommended legislation, where applicable and necessary. 
 
SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION. – the DOST Secretary shall 
include the implementation of this Act in the DOST’s programs. The 
amounts necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 13. UTILIZATION OF INCOME. - The institute shall 
be authorized to use all the income generated from its operations, as well 
as donations, bequests, grants for the upgrading if its physical and human 
resources, and for the augmentation of its budget, as needed. 
 
SECTION  14.  TRANSITORY   PROVISION –   Existing   
industries, businesses and offices affected by the implementation of this 
Act shall be given six (6) months transitory period from the effectivity of the 
IRR or such  other    period as may be determined, to comply with the 
requirements of this Act. 
 
SECTION 15. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS.  
– The departments and agencies charged with carrying out the provisions  
of this Act shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act, formulate  
the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
 
SECTION 16. REPEALING CLAUSE. – All  laws,  decrees,  
executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 17. SEPARABILITY  CLAUSE.  –  If,  for  any  
reason,  any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected 
thereby. 
 
SECTION 18.  EFFECTIVITY  CLAUSE.  –  This  Act  shall  
take  effect after fifteen (15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in at least two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier. 
 
 
 
Approved,