As part of measures to strengthen the country’s health security.
On September 12, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12290 into law, formally establishing the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP), which was first discussed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The said institute is a national research center that will be focused on studies of viruses, pathogens, and vaccine development to strengthen the country’s health security.
It will serve as the country’s lead institution for research on potential disease-causing agents affecting humans, plants, animals, and the environment.
The creation of the VIP regarded as a landmark move to enhance the the country’s ability to respond to future pandemics and other public health threats, while also fostering innovation in science and technology.
Under RA 12290, the VIP has been tasked to conduct vaccine research, from discovery to pre-clinical phases, and develop diagnostics and therapeutics for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.
The institute will also be carrying out discovery programs in virology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics, and build partnerships with local and international research institutions.
To support its mandate, the VIP will invest in advanced virology infrastructure, including high-containment facilities, biobanks, and genome laboratories.
The law also provides for the training of experts, technical assistance to research communities, and the dissemination of evidence-based policy recommendations.
COMPOSITION, WORKING WITH RITM
The VIP will be headed by a director, who shall report the results of research and development studies to the VIP Board that is then chaired by the Secretary of Science and Technology (DOST) and co-chaired by the Secretaries Health (DOH) and Agriculture (DA).
The VIP shall also submit its annual report to the President and to the Committees on Science and Technology of both Houses of Congress no later than March 30 annually.
Ultimately, findings from the VIP, RITM, and other concerned agencies will be integrated into the plans of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the National Task Force against animal-borne diseases, or their successor bodies, to strengthen the country’s response to public health emergencies.
Under the same law, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) will be keeping its current functions under the DOH, while working closely with the VIP.
The RITM will continue providing expertise in detecting and identifying emerging infectious diseases and offering laboratory support.