DOST-PCHRD conducts the Mindanao Leg of the Public Consultation on the Implementing Rules and Regulations on the RA 12290, Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City, January 20.
PCHRD is the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. underscores the mission of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect, study, and respond to viral diseases, highlighting its role in advancing virology research, local vaccine production, and biosurveillance to ensure national readiness, resilience, and scientific self-reliance against future health threats.
USec. Teodoro Gatchalian highlights the establishment of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines as a forward-looking commitment to science that anticipates crises, stressing the need to build strong scientific capacity anchored on sound governance, transparency, collaboration, and excellence through dialogue and consensus.
Dir. Lita Suerte Felipe emphasizes the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) as the vital bridge between the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) law and its on-the-ground implementation, highlighting how inclusive consultations with agencies, academe, and research institutions ensure clear procedures, strong coordination, and accountable, science-driven action aligned with the law’s vision.
The message of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy, delivered by Atty. Roy Raagas highlights the passage of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) law as a landmark step in strengthening health security, scientific independence, and pandemic preparedness, emphasizing the need for an inclusive and consultative IRR that reflects the unique needs of Mindanao and ensures the voices of scientists, researchers, local governments, and stakeholders are meaningfully heard.
USTP System President Ambrosio B. Cultura II underscores the passage of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act as a defining moment in the country’s pursuit of health security and scientific self-reliance, emphasizing that crafting the IRR is a shared responsibility that calls for strong collaboration between local leaders and the scientific community to better prepare the nation for future health challenges.
The consultation sought to gather inputs from stakeholders to help refine the IRR of the VIP Act, ensuring its effective implementation and strengthening the country’s capacity in virology, vaccine research and health security. PIA 10
