A substitute bill that would establish the "Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines" has been approved in the House of Representatives at the committee level.
Members of the House Committee on Health and the Committee on Science and Technology approved in a joint hearing on Tuesday, March 9, the bill that consolidates eight proposals for the creation of the said government body amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposed virology institute, to be attached to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), "shall serve as the primary research and development institute" for all areas in viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals, and humans.
The institute shall also be in charge of operating laboratories, including "high containment" facilities, for disease prevention and epidemiological studies.
It shall also work on developing vaccines, diagnostics, as well as therapeutics, and partner with local and international virology centers to help advance virology in the Philippines.
During the hearing, Zambales 2nd District Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla pushed the grant of regulatory powers to the institute, specifically for proper "pre-development handling of viruses" to prevent its spread.
But health officials said this is already being handled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Department of Health, they added, also has a Health Facilities and Regulatory Services Bureau for the matter.
They also warned that there would be "conflict of interest" in giving a research and development body regulatory powers.
The joint House committee is set to prepare the report on the bill for sponsorship in the plenary.