Lacson bats for establishment of virology institute in Philippines

A bill seeking to create a virology institute that would help protect the Philippines from outbreaks of viral diseases has been filed by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

In a statement Wednesday, Lacson said Senate Bill No. 1543 proposes to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The senator stressed the importance of research and development to prevent pandemics like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which come with social and economic costs. 

"The country needs diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of the 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," he said.

The VIP, which shall operate a virus gene bank, a virus genome laboratory, and a virus reference laboratory, is proposed to be located at a five-hectare lot within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac.

Lacson said the institute shall forge international cooperations and maintain a network of databases of viral infections.

He added that a P2 billion research fund shall be earmarked for this endeavor.

The Inter-Agency Task Force recently expressed support for the DOST's plan to establish the Virology S&T Institute in New Clark City.—AOL, GMA News