New Philippine Institute to Lead Virology and Vaccine Research

Republic Act No. 12290, or the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act, creates a national R&D hub focused on virology and vaccine science. Adopting a One Health approach, the Act establishes the VIP under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to lead research on viruses and other pathogens affecting human, animal, plant, and environmental health. The VIP Board is chaired by the DOST Secretary and co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), acts as the policymaking body.

The VIP is mandated to conduct discovery research, develop diagnostics and therapeutics, and carry out vaccine studies up to the pre-clinical stage. Its work is guided by the VIP Board, chaired by the DOST Secretary with the Health and Agriculture Secretaries as co-chairs. The Institute must build and operate specialized facilities, including high-containment laboratories, and partner with the DOH, DA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to develop an industry roadmap aimed at achieving national vaccine self-reliance. The VIP is also directed to collaborate with DTI and the Public-Private Partnership Center to pursue Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

The Act establishes the Virology Research Fund and authorizes the Institute to receive donations and grants, which are exempt from donor’s tax when used exclusively for VIP purposes. The law also outlines staffing policies, ensures benefits under the Magna Carta for S&T Personnel, and requires the transfer of DOST virology-related units to the VIP within three years.

To strengthen oversight, the VIP must submit annual reports to Congress, and a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee is created to monitor implementation. The DOST Secretary is tasked with issuing the IRR, and the Act took effect fifteen days after publication.