Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines

The Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VSTIP), also referred to as the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP), is a proposed virology research facility in the Philippines.

Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines
AbbreviationVSTIP, VIP
FormationN/A (proposed)
HeadquartersNew Clark City, Capas, Tarlac
Parent organization
Department of Science and Technology

Background

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, proposals have been made to set up a virology research facility in the country. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), headed by Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, announced in May 2020 that the science agency submitted a proposal to establish the Virology Institute of the Philippines, which is meant to conduct research on viruses and viral diseases affecting plants, animals, and humans. At that time, the Philippines only had the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, which specializes in the research of infectious and tropical diseases.[1]

History

There were moves to institutionalize the proposed virology research institute through legislation by Congress, in the House of Representatives alone, at least seven bills have been filed by mid-August 2020.[2] Within the same month, the institute project has been included in the Philippine national government's Build! Build! Build! infrastructure program of President Rodrigo Duterte.[3]

In July 2021, the House bills for the institute and a center for disease control (CDC) were approved on their third and final reading.[4] President Duterte included the institute in a list of priority measures that he mentioned during his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA).[5]

A new biosafety level 2+ (BSL-2+) laboratory is being prepared by the Department of Science and Technology for the VIP and is scheduled to be launched in October 2021. It will be placed under the Environment and Biotechnology Division of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI).[6] It is also proposed that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) be placed under the VIP without abolishing the former.[7]

Location

The Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines will be located at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.[3] Five hectares of land have been allocated. The institute will include lecture halls, offices, greenhouses, and laboratories, including a BSL-4 lab, the first in the country.[8][9]

References
  1. Adel, Rosette (May 22, 2020). "DOST proposes creation of virology institute in Philippines". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  2. Quismorio, Ellson (August 17, 2020). "House moves to hasten nation's own Virology Institute". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  3. Crismundo, Kris (August 6, 2020). "PH's virology center to rise in New Clark City". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  4. Bajo, Anna Felicia (July 28, 2021). "House OKs bills creating virology institute, center for disease control on final reading". GMA News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  5. Luci-Atienza, Charissa (July 26, 2021). "DOST 'happy' with Duterte's call on Congress to pass bill creating PH Virology Institute". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  6. "Biosafety lab to be launched in preparation for the creation of PHL vaccine institut". BusinessMirror. Philippine News Agency, S&T Media Services. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  7. Rocamora, Joyce Ann (18 September 2021). "Creation of PH virology institute won't abolish RITM: DOH". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  8. News, Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN (May 25, 2021). "Virology Institute of the Philippines to rise in Tarlac in 2 years: DOST". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. "PH's first virology institute to rise soon with help of 'balik scientists'". CNN Philippines. May 26, 2021. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
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