‘VIP Bill’ vs COVID-19 at Ibang Virus Threats, Isinampa ni Ping

Dahil siyensiya at teknolohiya lamang ang tamang gabay para malutas ang mga problemang dulot ng pandemya gaya ng COVID-19, isinulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang pagtatag ng isang institusyong tutuklas sa mga solusyon para sa sakit na ito.

Sa ilalim ng Senate Bill 1543, layon ni Lacson na itatag ang Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP).

Ayon kay Lacson, kada araw ay patuloy sa pagtaas ang bilang ng mga nahahawaan ng COVID-19. Sa Pilipinas lamang ay hindi bababa sa 873 na ang kumpirmadong namatay. Dahil din dito, nagkaroon ng malawakang suliraning panlipunan at pang-ekonomiya ng bansa.

“These problems can only be addressed using science and technology, specifically through research and development (R&D). It is therefore imperative that we establish a Research Institute that delves into the study of viruses of the field of virology. 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,” paliwanag ni Lacson sa panukala.

Related: Lacson Bill Establishes Philippine Virology Science and Technology Institute to Fight Novel Virus Threats

Ipinunto pa ng mambabatas na hindi lamang ang COVID-19 ang mahahanapan ng lunas ng VIP dahil sasakupin na rin nito ang mga peste at mga sakit na umaatake sa kabuhayan ng mga Pinoy gaya ng mga alagaing baboy at iba pa.

“The VIP shall serve as the premier research and development institute in virology, conducting activities and in-depth study on the viruses affecting the lives of people and resources,” paliwanag pa ni Lacson.

“It shall be a venue for scientists both here and abroad to work and study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical and environmental importance – establishing strategic partnerships with the world’s leading scientists, virology centers and institutes and conduct pioneering researches,” dagdag niya.

Bukod dito, may iba pang magiging papel ang VIP bill ni Lacson oras na ito ay maisabatas na.

“Also, the VIP shall implement policies and projects to develop virology science and technology in the country, and promote scientific and technological activities for the public and private sectors, and ensure the results of these activities are properly applied towards self-reliance and utilized to accelerate economic and social development towards the protection of the citizens and its resources,” ayon pa kay Lacson.

Makikipagugnayan at makikipagtulungan din ito sa mga pandaigdigang institusyon para sa mas malawakang pag-aaral at pagtuklas ng mga solusyon sa mga virus na umaatake sa Pilipinas upang mas madaling makahanap ng solusyon.

Magkakaroon din ito ng laboratoryong ekslusibong mag-aaral sa mga pinakamapanganib at delikadong mga virus.

Nakasaad din sa panukala na ang mga gusali at pasilidad ng VIP ay itatayo sa lote sa ilalim ng Bases Conversion and Development Authority sa New Clark Economic Zone sa Tarlac. Batay ito sa pinaiiral na pamantayan ng World Health Organization (WHO).

“The institute shall have a Governing Board chaired by the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology; with the DOST Undersecretary for R&D as Co-Chairperson,” ayon pa kay Lacson.

Magkakaroon din ng P2-bilyon Virology Research Fund para maipatupad ng VIP ang Virology Institute Strategic Plan.

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