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House OKs creation of Virology and Vaccine Institute on final reading


The House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill establishing a Virology and Vaccines Institute of the Philippines (VVIP), one of one of the priority measures of the Marcos administration amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.

This developed after the measure numbered House Bill 6452 gathered 216 yes votes, zero no votes and zero abstention during Monday’s plenary session.

House Bill 6452 provides that the VVIP, which will be an attached agency of the Department of  Science and Technology (DOST), will serve as 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.

Likewise, the measure states that the VVIP will 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.

In addition, the bill states that the VVIP will focus on the following key science and technology applications:

  • research on viruses and other pathogens using a modern approach such as molecular 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 same bill also allows the VVIP to procure specialized materials, equipment, and services to be used in its operation and administration, in the most expeditious manner, as well as adopt the most suitable or appropriate method of procurement that it deems fit based on its identified needs and requirements depending on the existing conditions and requirements that justify the use of a particular alternative modality provided for by the Government Procurement Reform Act and its 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda of Albay, one of the authors of the measure, earlier said he envisions the VVIP as the Philippines’ version of the Serum Institute of India known for manufacturing effective vaccines, among others.

“India continues to be one of the world’s largest manufacturers of COVID vaccines even if it did not originate them, because they have a serum institute. Vietnam solved ASF (African Swine Flu) first because their serum institute invented a vaccine early on,” Salceda said.

“The vaccine institute is not merely a health institute. The applications for virology are immense and broad. Food security, forest management, and the development of a strong pharmaceutical sector all benefit from a strong grasp of viruses,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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