Amidst the current pandemic, hope continues to rise in the sciences as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) plans to establish the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines, the country’s first ever institution that specifically aims to be the heart of research and development (R&D) efforts in the field of virology.
The Institute garnered legislative support on July 28, 2021, as the House Bill No. 9559, or the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act passed its third and final reading. This bill aims to create the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines under the Department of Science and Technology.
DOST describes the institution as the premier research and development institute in the field of virology which will encompass viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals, and humans. The establishment of such an institution gives rise to further support in R&D efforts in the Philippines, especially in the study of localized diseases.
The Institute is expected to rise as early as by the end of 2023 in the New Clark Economic Zone in Capas, Tarlac. DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Guevara assured that the current design of the VIP facility follows the World Health Organization’s protocols and guidelines in establishing virology laboratories. However, even without the proposed building in Tarlac, the VIP can still be partially implemented via the establishment of the new laboratory with biosafety level 2+ or a BSL-2+ laboratory. The laboratory is expected to be built in the Environment and Biotechnology Division of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) by October 2021.
Alongside the pre-establishment of the BSL-2+ laboratory is the current support for the six initial projects under VIP Program. These projects, which have partnerships with various local and international institutions, aim to jumpstart the R&D of current plant, animal, and human viral concerns despite the on-going pandemic with SARS-CoV-2. DOST hopes to build the VIP capacity and combat pressing issues brought upon by viruses.
“I shall return”, the Balik-Scientists
The establishment of the VIP would not have been possible without the help of seven virologist “balik scientists”. Another one of DOST’s flagship initiatives, the Balik Scientist Program aims to encourage Filipino scientists to return from abroad to share their expertise and knowledge for the country. Notably, one of the seven Balik Scientists is a charter member of The UPLB Genetics Society: Dr. Leodevico L. Ilag (Charter). Dr. Ilag holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, and has solid research backgrounds in antibody engineering, structural biology, virology, immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, and genetics. Dr. Ilag and his colleagues have all expressed their desire to take part in training more people to work for the VIP. As of 2020, DOST has had 564 balik scientists since its launch in 1975.
As of September 27, 2021, the Philippines has documented a total of 2,490,858 COVID-19 cases, with the bulk of transmissions contained within the vicinity of the NCR+ Bubble. In the case of another pandemic striking the country, the Philippines may now be capable of spearheading efforts in research and vaccine development through the VIP.
The establishment of the VIP is just one of the victories for the development of the sciences in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic gave great precedence in investing more in the science and health sectors. Continued support to the scientists and experts, and their endeavors will undeniably benefit the country in the long run, and the VIP is just one of the many institutions that will pioneer the Philippines forward to discover its own scientific breakthroughs.
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