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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian renews push for bill creating Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines  

Gatchalian renews push for bill creating Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines  

Published Apr 30, 2023 04:27 am
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday, April 30 pushed for the passage of the bill that seeks to strengthen local vaccine development through the creation of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.   Under Senate Bill No. 941, or the proposed Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act of 2022, which he filed, the VIP will serve as the premier research and development institute in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals, and humans.   Gatchalian made the call amid the country’s celebration of the World Immunization Week this last week of April.   “Nakita natin noong kasagsagan ng pandemya ng COVID-19 na mahalaga ang pagiging handa, lalo na sa pagpapalawig ng ating kakayahan sa pag-aaral ng iba't ibang virus at viral diseases (If we have a Virology and Vaccine Institute, we can make sure that we are better prepared and it will be easier to discover vaccines and suppress diseases),” said Gatchalian.   “Kung magkakaroon tayo ng Virology and Vaccine Institute, matitiyak natin na mas handa tayo at mas mapapadali ang pagtuklas sa mga bakuna at masugpo ang mga sakit (We saw during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that preparedness is important, especially in expanding our ability to study different viruses and viral diseases),” he said.   According to Gatchalian, the measure will pave way for the hiring of a pool of highly trained local virology experts and the creation of appropriate facilities which can enable researchers to rapidly conduct studies on any virus and guide authorities in implementing evidence-informed response strategies.   He also said the proposed VIP will also be mandated to accept scientific and technological research and development (R&D) in the field of virology and develop an information system on virology science and technology for the use of both public and private sectors.   Under the bill, the VIP’s research outputs shall be integrated with plans for the management of public health emergencies relating to infectious disease, as well as other plans relating to disease control and prevention.   It will also be mandated to establish strategic partnerships with the world's leading scientists, virology centers and institutes, and conduct innovative and pioneering research that will advance the frontiers of virology in the country, Gatchalian said.  

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