A giant first step in protecting Filipino citizens against the onslaught of epidemics and pandemics.

With an overwhelming 216 votes, the House of Representatives has approved on 3rd and final reading the measure that would mandate the establishment of a virology institute to spearhead the country’s defense against pandemics much like the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) global public health crisis.

House Bill (HB) No. 6452 seeks to establish a Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) that would primarily focus on the key science and technology applications in the development of vaccines for viruses and other pathogens.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, one of the principal authors of the measure, hailed the approval of the HB 6542 and thanked his colleagues in the lower chamber for recognizing the importance of a virology center and prioritizing a piece of legislation that would help the country combat a pandemic of global proportions.

“What we learned from the last pandemic is that if a health crisis is in a scale that crosses international borders, we have to act fast and rely on our own resources. We need to respond to it effectively. A virology and vaccine institute can help us stop a deadly virus in its tracks,” Romualdez said who was joined by Tingog Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre as principal authors of the proposed law.

“I also want to express appreciation to members of the House of Representatives for fast tracking the deliberations on an urgent measure that is considered a priority legislation by the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Romualdez added.

According to the measure, 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 bases for the treatment of viral diseases … “ for the prevention of its transmission within the community.

The objectives of the VIP, once established, include:

– Research on viruses and other pathogens using a modern approach such as molecular biology and its application on biotechnology and bioinformatics;

– Development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics on viruses and other pathogens;

– International cooperation and network of databases of virus infections;

– Operation of a virology laboratory, virus gene bank and virus genome laboratory, to focus on viruses circulating in the Philippines for disease prevention and epidemiological studies; and

– Operation of a virus high-containment laboratory dedicated to the study of highly infectious and highly pathogenic viruses.

The VIP is envisioned to 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 also be a venue for scientists, research institutes and other organizations in the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance,” the measure read.

For its 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.”

To accomplish its mandate, the VIP shall have the following powers, functions and duties:

– Serve as the lead convener for the formulation of the National Virology Research Agenda;

– Undertake scientific and technological research and development in the field of virology;

– Conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines in cooperation with the private sector and concerned agencies;

– 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;

– Develop and maintain an information system on virology science and technology for use by both the public and private sectors;

– 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;

– Undertake policy research, and other related studies on virology;

– Provide laboratory and technical services on virology;

– Promote and advocate the national programs on virology science and technology;

– Establish linkages with local and international partners.

HB 6452 also outlines the organizational structure of the VIP, saying it will be headed by a Director and two Deputy Directors for Research and Development, and Support, Policy, and Linkages, and shall have technical and administrative support staff and consultants.

It will also have a policy-making Governing Board composed of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary as chairperson and the Secretaries of Department of Health (DoH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) as co-chairpersons, with members from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), (Comission on Higher snd Technical Education (CHED), Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies.

The Governing Board is also tasked to protect any VIP-developed intellectual property that is funded from the taxes of the Filipino people.

Other co-authors of the bill include: Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Reps. Sonny “SL” L. Lagon, Daphne A. Lagon, Ciriaco Gato, Carlito Marquez, Ciriaco Jr. B. Gato, Carlito S. Marquez, Joey Sarte Salceda, Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan, Luis Raymund “Lray” F. Villafuerte Jr., Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, Tsuyoshi Anthony G. Horibata, Nicolas C. Enciso VIII, Juan Carlos “Arjo” C. Atayde, Ron P. Salo, Edgar M. Chatto, Bryan B. Revilla, Divina Grace C. Yu, Ma. Lucille L. Nava, M.D., Dan S. Fernandez, Anthony Rolando Jr. T. Golez;

Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Jeyzel Victoria C. Yu, Angelo Marcos Barba, Rufus B. Rodriguez, JC Abalos, Alfred C. Delos Santos, Florida “Rida” P. Robes, Michael L. Romero, Ph.D., Christopherson “Coco” M. Yap, Reynante U. Arrogancia, Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr., Paolo Z. Duterte, Eric G. Yap, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Marlyn “Len” B. Alonte, Edvic G. Yap, Jeffrey Soriano, Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan, Gus S. Tambunting, Anna York P. Bondoc, Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Camille A. Villar, Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” R. Luistro, Joseph Gilbert F. Violago, Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado, and Jose “Bong” J. Teves, Jr.;

Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Marjorie Ann A. Teodoro, Florencio Gabriel “Bem” G. Noel, Josephine Veronique “Jaye” R. Lacson-Noel, Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva, Dante S. Garcia, Angelica Natasha Co, Solomon R Chungalao, Ray Florence T. Reyes, Janice Z. Salimbangon, Mikaela Angela B. Suansing, Rodolfo “Ompong” M. Ordanes, Mark O. Go, Rosanna “Ria” V. Vergara, Joseph Stephen “Caraps” S. Paduano, Sergio C. Dagooc, John Tracy F. Cagas, Lorenz R. Defensor, Ching B. Bernos, Ernesto Jr. M. Dionisio, Peter John D. Calderon, Ramon Rodrigo L. Gutierrez, Nicanor M. Briones, Alfelito “Alfel” M. Bascug, Teodorico Jr. T. Haresco, Jose Gay G. Padiernos;

Adrian Michael A. Amatong, Nelson L. Dayanghirang, Ricardo T. Kho, Samuel Jr. S. Verzosa, Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, France L. Castro, Midy N. Cua, Arnie B. Fuentebella, Ferjenel G. Biron, James “Jojo” Jr. A. Ang, Wilter Y. Palma, Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon-Uy, Michael B. Gorriceta, Horacio Jr. P. Suansing, Allan U. Ty, Robert Ace S. Barbers, Elizaldy S. Co, Stella Luz A. Quimbo, Antonio “Tonypet” T. Albano, David “Jay-jay” C. Suarez, Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr., Jose C. Alvarez, Jose “Joboy” II S. Aquino, Ma. Rachel J. Arenas, Claudine Diana D. Bautista-Lim, Raul Angelo “Jil” D. Bongalon, Fernando T. Cabredo, Arthur F. Celeste, Alan “Aldu” R. Dujali, Gerardo “Gerryboy” J. Espina, Jr., Ed Christopher S. Go, Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Roy M. Loyola, Francisco Jose “Bingo” II F. Matugas, CPA, CESO, LLB, Romeo S. Momo, Tobias “Toby” M. Tiangco, Alfonso V. Umali, Jr., Maria Carmen S. Zamora, Jose Maria Jr. R. Zubiri, Zia Alonto Adiong, Adrian Jay C. Advincula, Cheeno Miguel D. Almario, Loreto S. Amante;

Dean Asistio, Bonifacio L. Bosita, Jorge “PATROL” Bustos, Ma. Victoria C. Co-Pilar, Jaime D. Cojuangco, Ricardo S. Cruz, Jr., Sittie Aminah Q. Dimaporo, Antonieta R. Eudela, Wowo Fortes, Jaime R. Fresnedi, Maria Angela S. Garcia, Edwin L. Gardiola, Charisse Anne C. Hernandez, Jefferson F. Khonghun, Carmelo “Jon” B. Lazatin II, Wilbert T. Lee, Antonio B. Legarda, Jr., Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, Doris E. Maniquiz, Bai Dimple I. Mastura, Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag, Margarita Ignacia B. Nograles, Emmarie “Lolypop” M. Ouano-Dizon, Arnan C. Panaligan, Augustina Dominique “Ditse Tina” C. Pancho, Salvador A. Pleyto, Ramon Jolo B. Revilla III, Eulogio R. Rodriguez, Princess Rihan M. Sakaluran, Dimszar M. Sali, Ma. Alana Samantha T. Santos, Joseph S. Tan, Caroline L. Tanchay, Jocelyn P. Tulfo, Patrick Michael D. Vargas, Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga, Marie Bernadette G. Escudero, Greg G. Gasataya, Mario Vittorio “Marvey” A. Mariño, Peter B. Miguel, Roman T. Romulo, Laarni Lavin Roque, Irene Gay F. Saulog, Christian Tell A. Yap, Ronald V. Singson, Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo, Noel “Bong” N. Rivera, Faustino “Inno” V A. Dy, Shernee A. Tan-Tambut, Jonathan Keith T. Flores, Ralph G. Recto, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Carl Nicolas C. Cari, Francisco Paolo V P. Ortega, Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, Lianda B. Bolilia, Richelle Singson, Edwin L. Olivarez, Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, Loreto B. Acharon and Isidro T. Ungab.