Fwd: Marcos vows support for Vaccine Institute building

Marcos vows funding for vaccine and virology institute project

By: - Reporter / @zacariansINQ
/ 01:38 PM January 15, 2025

 Marcos backs vaccine institute project

(AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed support for the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) facility and vowed to look for funding.

Marcos made the pronouncement after the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) requested funding for the project to prevent delays and avoid structural deterioration of the VIP Administration Building during a meeting at Malacañang.

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“I think in the immediate future, okay. We prepare for the big one, the big pandemic, President Marcos, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement, told Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.

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“But really it’s for the animals and the plants,” he added.

According to Solidum, the 2025 national expenditure program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) did not allocate a budget for the VIP, which was established to research viruses and viral diseases. 

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In response, Marcos assured that it would find ways to secure funding. 

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Solidum then assured Marcos that the VIP would not be limited to human health concerns, but would also address viruses affecting animal and plant health.  

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He told the President the VIP needs P680 million to pursue its plans including the development of vaccines for humans, animals and plants.

“There are more balikbayan scientists [now] na gusto tumulong sa atin (who wants to help us). We just need this facility (VIP),” he said.

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TAGS: Bongbong Marcos Jr., DOST, vaccine

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