DOST starts studies on viruses for establishing Philippine virology institute

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has started studies on viruses in preparation for the establishment of a virology institute in the Philippines following the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

In a public briefing on Wednesday, DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the department already proposed the creation of the institute.

“We have already started the studies related to virology not exclusively for COVID-19 alone but for other viruses,” De la Peña said.

“This is already part of our preparations for setting up of a virology science institute of the Philippines, which we proposed,” he added.

According to De la Peña, the proposal is up for legislation.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier filed Senate Bill No. 1543 proposing to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) under the DOST.

He stressed the importance of research and development to prevent pandemics like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which come with social and economic costs.

"The country needs diagnostics to detect and limit the spread of the existing viruses; vaccines to provide long-term protection; treatments to save lives in the shorter term, and social science to understand their behavioral and societal implications," Lacson said.

The VIP, which shall operate a virus gene bank, a virus genome laboratory, and a virus reference laboratory, is proposed to be located at a five-hectare lot within the New Clark Economic Zone in Tarlac. —KG, GMA News