Manila: Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino has called for the establishment of a Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) to enhance the country’s response to animal-borne diseases such as African swine fever (ASF). Tolentino emphasized the need for the institute while advocating for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 2893, which aims to address the overlapping mandates of various agencies dealing with ASF.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino also submitted Senate Resolution 565, directing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform to investigate ASF’s impact on local pork production, supply, and prices. He noted that the prolonged struggle with ASF was partly due to delays within the Food and Drug Administration in conducting clinical trials for ASF vaccines. Once trials were approved, they had to be conducted on a large scale.

SB 2893 outlines the VIP’s role in ensuring seamless collaboration with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and other research entities. This collaboration would delineate specific roles and responsibilities to ensure the research agenda complements rather than duplicates efforts.

Tolentino expressed optimism that the envisioned VIP would enhance coordination not only among government agencies but also with private laboratories. This includes university labs and private institutions, such as pharmaceutical companies.

The proposed VIP would be an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology, serving as the lead convenor for research and development in virology. It would cover viruses and pathogens in plants, animals, and humans. The institute would implement policies, plans, programs, and projects to advance virology research in the country and promote scientific and technological activities across public and private sectors.

The bill also highlights the importance of applying the results of these activities toward vaccine self-reliance and utilizing them to accelerate economic and social development. This would contribute to protecting citizens and the nation’s resources.