Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano are working together to establish the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP), an agency that will focus on virology research and vaccine development.
The sibling senators pushed for this legislative initiative through Senate Bill No. 2893 under Committee Report No. 196, which aims to create the VIP in response to the growing threat of pathogens and disease-causing agents that affect humans, animals, and plants.
“The creation of the VIP would complement and support the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and strengthen the country’s research and development on viral diseases.”
Discussing the importance of the measure during plenary session, Senator Pia Cayetano emphasized that the creation of the VIP would complement and support the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and strengthen the country’s research and development on viral diseases.
“The goal was to create a well-considered and strategic bill.”
“The goal was to create a well-considered and strategic bill – not a reactionary measure driven by panic but one that effectively addresses the country’s needs without wasting our limited resources,” the lady senator said.
Currently, the RITM oversees research programs focused on infectious and tropical diseases. Once created, the VIP will expand the country’s capacity to study emerging and recurring viral diseases and develop vaccines.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, for his part, initiated the public hearing on the measure in April 2024 as chair of the Senate Science and Technology Committee. The veteran legislator stressed the urgency of addressing public health and economic challenges.
“The entire government must, and will, act quickly to address the public health and economic crisis that threatens the lives and livelihood of our kababayan,” he said.
The VIP Act was initially discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic and has gained significant support from the 18th Congress.
In addition to the Cayetanos, the bill is co-authored by Senators Bong Go, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Migz Zubiri, Win Gatchalian, Bong Revilla Jr., Mark Villar, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, Robinhood Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Manuel Lapid, and Cynthia Villar.
