By Billy Begas

Four Camarines Sur lawmakers, led by Rep. LRay Villafuerte, urged Congress to set aside P2 billion research and development fund for the proposed Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute being endorsed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Villafuerte cited the importance of putting enough funds into the proposed Institute would transform the Philippines into a self-reliant, vaccine-producing country that would be much better prepared to deal with future public health emergencies.

The allocation of the P2 billion Virology Research Fund is included in House Bill 308 authored by National Unity Party president Villafuerte, Camarines Sur Representatives Miguel Luis Villafuerte, and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Nicolas Enciso VIII.

“The Philippines, as a tropical country, is a possible hotspot for viruses. Hence, it is important to address this issue with our own R&D. This bill proposes a Research Institute specifically delving into the field of virology, as a better understanding of viruses would equip us in our response to, and containment of, future viral outbreaks like the current coronavirus pandemic,” the authors said in HB 308.

The proposed Virology Institute is one of the 19 priority bills endorsed by Marcos in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Marcos allocated a P420 million fund for the would-be Virology Institute in the proposed 2023 national budget.



CamSur lawmakers propose P2B fund for Marcos-endorsed Virology Institute
Source: Philippines Clips