The proposed Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is eyed to be constructed at New Clark City by 2021, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.
In a statement, Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects, BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon, said that the VIP has been included in the administration's list of infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs).
"The Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines, which will be prioritizing research on infectious diseases will be hosted by New Clark City, and this was just recently approved by the economic development cluster," Dizon said.
According to Dizon, the approval of the virology institute as one of the IFPs is part of the government’s response to the emerging needs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that New Clark City was designed to be the country’s first smart, green, sustainable and resilient metropolis. The project’s Phase 1A was completed last year for the hosting of the 30th South East Asian Games.
“Resiliency was the major characteristic that we wanted for New Clark City to have. The pandemic has highlighted that the use of facilities over the past couple of months in the major response efforts,” Dizon said.
Dizon noted that New Clark City is presently being used as a quarantine facility for COVID-positive patients, as well as suspect and probable individuals, in coordination with local government units.
Last week, the DOST briefed the House of Representatives (HOR) Committees on Science and Technology, Health and the Defeat COVID-19 Ad-Hoc Committee (DCC) on the proposed bill during their joint online meeting.
The VIP is envisioned to serve as the premier R&D institute in the field of virology whose objectives include conducting research on viruses using a modern approach such as molecular biology and its application or biotechnology, and development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña highlighted during the meeting the importance of the VIP in the light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in addressing other current and emerging viral diseases that are affecting humans, plants and animals.
The bill's authors are Representatives Jose Ma. Salceda, Cheryl Deloso-Montalia, Angelina Tan, Strike Revilla, Angelo Marcos Barba, and Leonardo Babasa, Jr.
Also there during the meeting were eight different institutions and organizations who commented on the proposed bill which include Food and Drug Administration, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, UP-National Institutes of Health, National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and the National Research Council of the Philippines.