Bong Go seeks creation of Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go filed a measure seeking to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) as he calls for a more proactive approach in dealing with future pandemics.
“In the long term, investing heavily on health research initiatives should be pursued. It is for this reason that I filed this bill in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to establish a virology institute that will capacitate the country to conduct scientific research initiatives and eventually develop our own vaccines,” he said.
“These efforts are intended to avoid similar situations where poorer nations are left with fewer medical resources, such as vaccines and other essential drugs, to address pandemics as compared to more developed countries that have early on invested in health sciences and medical research,” he added.
Senate Bill No. 2155, or the “Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines Act of 2021”, establishes the VIP which will serve as the principal laboratory of the country in providing virology laboratory investigations, researches, and technical coordination of the entire network of virology laboratories nationwide.
In the explanatory note of his proposed bill, Go stated that previous viral outbreaks could have been prevented or handled more efficiently with the presence of a national virology laboratory that will conduct studies of viral diseases in humans, plants and animals.
“Understanding the genetic changes in viral genome is a prerequisite for a strong public health response to emerging, re-emerging and existing viral diseases,” Go pointed out.
As the government strives to address the current pandemic situation in the country, Go said that authorities must also learn from these experiences, identify gaps in policies and response mechanisms, and be more proactive in preparing for other similar crises in the future.
If passed into law, the proposed institute will be an attached agency under the Department of Science and Technology. The DOST, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health, shall promulgate policies for and exercise of supervision and control over the Institute.
All functions of the DOH involving biomedical research in virology and of the DA involving animal and plant virology will also be transferred to the Institute.
All virology laboratories will be required to regularly provide local and international education and training for its laboratory workers at the expense of the laboratory.
“Hindi natin masabi kung may pandemya pa na darating sa buhay natin. So, mabuti na po na maging proactive tayo. Someday, magkaroon sana tayo ng sariling kapasidad na gumawa ng bakuna sa bansa. Ngayon pa lang, paghandaan na natin ang posibilidad na ito,” he said. ###
