THE administration-backed Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) will be the “game changer” in the country’s fight against emerging illnesses and offer better protection to the public in future pandemics, Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar said Thursday.

“In the recent coronavirus pandemic, we have seen the worst and heavily challenged our medical sector. This bill is our immediate response to the pandemic to ensure that extensive research is done in viruses affecting humans, plants, and animals,” said Villar, one of the authors of the measure in the House.

The House of Representatives approved on final reading House Bill (HB) No. 6452 in December last year.

Once enacted into law, the lady lawmaker said the legislation will “better equip the country with mechanisms and methods in dealing with another possible pandemic that could threaten the lives and livelihood of people.”

Virologists play an important role in advancing a wide range of research when it comes to novel or emerging infectious diseases, understanding virus biology, including possible collaborations with researchers around the world, and developing potential antiviral drugs and vaccines for certain diseases.

Villar said the proposed legislation, once passed into law, will also boost the existing “Balik Scientist Program” of the government, urging Filipino scientists currently working abroad to lend their expertise, experience, and extensive skills to the soon-to-be-established agency.

“We hope that our brilliant Filipino scientists, researchers, and fellows will return to the country to contribute to the establishment of the VIP and ensure its success,” said Villar, adding that this is among the opportunities awaiting highly-skilled “balik scientists.”

Villar also said she will ensure that competitive compensation and incentives will be given to balik scientist participants who will work in the VIP.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listed the proposed VIP in his administration’s legislative priorities.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has already moved to allot a five-hectare land at the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City, Tarlac province, to house the future site of the proposed VIP, even while the bill is still pending in Congress.

BCDA had said the proposed VIP’s facilities will include an administration building, lecture hall, good manufacturing product building, human and animal virology laboratory, plant virology laboratory, animal isolation, Biosafety Level 3 and 4 laboratory building, plant cultivation area, dormitory, power station, and a sewage treatment plant.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco