DOST gets close to P800-M funding for R&D of virology and vaccine institute

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Sunday said it has been given close to P800 million worth of funding from the 2022 national budget for the research and development activities of the Virology and Vaccine Science and Technology Institute.

Interviewed over Super Radyo dzBB, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said as early as 2021, they already prepared eight projects for the institute, which will not only study the behavior of viruses but also create products such as diagnostic kits.

"Noong 2021 ang binigay nila P280 million para sa R&D. At ngayong 2022, ang alam ko mas malaki, close to P800 million [para sa] Virology and Vaccine Institute (In 2021, they gave us P280 million for R&D. And in 2022, I know they gave more, close to P800 million for the Virology and Vaccine Institute)," said Dela Peña.

For the infrastructure, Dela Peña bared that around P50 million was set aside for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in 2021.

The vaccine and virology institute will be constructed at the Clark Green Zone, according to Dela Peña.

"On the part of BCDA [Bases Conversion and Development Authority], nag-set aside ng five-hectare area diyan sa Clark Green Zone kaya mayroong area na nakareserba para diyan (On the part of BCDA, they set aside a five-hectare area in Clark Green Zone that is why there is an area reserved for it)," he pointed out.

In July, the House of Representatives approved on third reading the bill calling for the construction of a virology institute and Center for Disease Control. 

The Senate counterpart of the bill calling for the creation of the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention was already sponsored at the Senate plenary. —KG, GMA News