The Department of Science and Technology or DOST said that the Philippines will soon have its own virology center in Tarlac in the next two years.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority has allotted 5 hectares of land for the site of the Virology Institute of the Philippines.
“Nakikipag-usap na ang DOST sa BCDA at DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) para sa lupa… para next year maumpisahan na ‘yung construction,” DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said in an online briefing.
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“It will take about 2 years to build that building so end of 2023, 2024 nakabukas na ‘yung building,” she said.
The DOST said that the VIP is a first in the Philippines and will be equipped with biosafety laboratories with “the maximum containment level”.
The site will also house animals and plants for research purposes.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated Php50 million for its design, and another Php284 million to fund the VIP’s 6 initial projects, Guevarra said.
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Several Filipino virologists have also interested in working with VIP.
A bill in Congress is needed for the institute to start operating according to Guevarra.
“Once may batas, puwede na mag-operate iyan,” she said. (TDT)
