Duterte to Congress: Pass laws creating PH’s center for disease control, vaccine institute

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his final State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 26, 2021, at the Batasang Pambansa. Screenshot from RTVM youtube live

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged Congress to pass measures establishing the Philippines’ Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) and a virology institute, expressing optimism Filipinos can make vaccines in the future.

“We hope to pursue the creation of public entities dedicated to managing emerging diseases. I fervently ask Congress to enact a law creating the Center for Disease, Prevention and Control, and the virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines,” Duterte said in his final State of the Nation Address.

“Maski gaano natin kahirap, however poor we are, I think that the Filipino people, if given the proper support and the things, the equipment they have to use, I am sure that Filipino brain can also process or make vaccines in the future,” he added.

The House of Representatives already approved on second reading the establishment of both agencies.

READ: House OKs creation of PH virology institute, CDC on 2nd reading

Under the measures pending at the House of Representatives, CDPC would be an attached agency of the Department of Health while the virology institute would be under the  Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Earlier, the DOST said the country’s virology institute is expected to rise by the end of 2023 or in 2024 at the New Clark Economic Zone in Capas, Tarlac.

KGA