MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A bill seeking to create the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines hurdled the Senate鈥檚 third and final reading on Monday.
At the upper chamber鈥檚 plenary session, Senate Bill No. 2893 was approved with 19 affirmative votes, zero negative, and zero abstention.
Should the measure be signed into law, the government is mandated to create a virology institute which shall be an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology.
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The virology institute shall also serve as the lead convenor for research and development in the field of virology, encompassing all kinds of viruses and other pathogens in plants, animals, and humans.
鈥淚t shall be a venue for scientists, researchers, government agencies, research institutes, and other organizations in the Philippines and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses and other pathogens of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance,鈥� the bill states.
The measure specifically seeks to establish a virology institute that shall focus on research and development to address pathogens and potential disease-causing agents affecting plants, animals, and humans.
Its mandate shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
- undertaking discovery programs in the field of virology and related disciplines, including molecular biology, bioinformatics, and other related fields of research;
- conducting vaccine research from discovery to the pre-clinical phase of development;
- conducting research and development of prototype diagnostics and therapeutics on viruses and other pathogens
- collaborating, coordinating, and disseminating evidence-based policies on virology and vaccine science to stakeholders;
- establishing linkages with local and international networks through cooperation and collaboration with institutions engaged in virus and pathogen research and development;
- training and engaging with experts for capacity building of virology and vaccine research;
- investing on virology infrastructure, including high-containment facilities, biobanks, and genome laboratories, for the research of potential emerging and reemerging outbreaks; and
- providing technical assistance and laboratory use to support research communities.