House of Representatives. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta
MANILA, Philippines —The House of Representatives approved the establishment of the Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute and the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) during its second reading.
During Wednesday’s session, the lower house approved House Bills 9559 and 9560 by voice vote, creating the two health agencies to boost the country’s capabilities in virology, illness prevention and control.
Center for Disease Prevention and Control
This bill gives CDPC the responsibility for developing and implementing communicable disease prevention and control initiatives.
As a technical authority, it will also serve as a resource for all matters related to disease prevention and control.
CDPC will first focus on disease surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases, but it may include noncommunicable diseases on recommendation from an independent study commissioned by the Department of Health at least five years after it’s formed.
As soon as it’s passed, CDPC will be an attached agency to the DOH, which means the health department won’t be dealing with communicable disease concerns.
Furthermore, the bill mandates reforms in public health emergency personnel recruitment, training, employment and management.
Virology institute
Meanwhile, the Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute, which will be an attached agency of the Department of Science, will be “the premier research and development institute in the field of virology, encompassing all areas in viruses and viral diseases in humans, plants and animals.”
The bill proposing the virology institute states that it will be a venue for scientists in the country and abroad to “work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical and environmental importance.”
Among the tasks of the institute include conducting scientific and technological research and development in virology, and conduct product research and development in the areas of diagnostics,
therapeutics and vaccines.