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Virology Institute of the Philippines to rise in Tarlac in 2 years: DOST

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/05/25/virology-institute-of-the-philippines.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Photo from DOST</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday said it is in talks with several agencies to construct a building for the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) in Tarlac in the next 2 years.</p><p>The Bases Conversion and Development Authority has allotted 5 hectares of land for the VIP site, according to data from the DOST.</p><p>&quot;Nakikipag-usap na ang DOST sa BCDA at DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) para sa lupa... para next year maumpisahan na &#x27;yung construction,&quot; DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said in an online press conference</p><p>(The DOST is in talks with the BCDA and the DPWH for the land so that we can start construction next year.)</p><p>&quot;[It will take] about 2 years to build that building so end of 2023, 2024 nakabukas na &#x27;yung building (the building will be opened),&quot; she said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/23/20/dost-eyes-virology-institute-in-philippines-amid-covid-19-pandemic">DOST eyes virology institute in Philippines amid COVID-19 pandemic</a></li></ul><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">LOOK: DOST Usec. Guevara says Virology Institute of the Philippines to rice in the New Clark City in Tarlac in 2 years. <a href="https://t.co/LKM6TVATFb">pic.twitter.com/LKM6TVATFb</a></p>— Kat Domingo (@_katrinadomingo) <a href="https://twitter.com/_katrinadomingo/status/1397043239253729281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2021</a></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>The VIP facility will be equipped with biosafety laboratories with &quot;the maximum containment level,&quot; which is &quot;a first in the Philippines,&quot; she said.</p><p>The site will also have an animal house and a greenhouse for animal and plant virus research, she said.</p><p>The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allocated P50 million for its design, and another P284 million to fund the VIP&#x27;s 6 initial projects, the Undersecretary said.</p><p>Among these projects are research on several animal viruses that could be transferred to humans, the use of antigenic peptides as potential candidates for COVID-19 vaccine development, and rapid detection of the African Swine Fever virus, she said.</p><p>The DOST earlier said that several Filipino virologists abroad have been planning to come home to the Philippines to work at the VIP.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/15/21/foreign-trained-filipino-virologists-eye-return-to-philippines-help-develop-virology-center">Foreign-trained Filipino virologists eye return to Philippines, help develop virology center</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/21/18/duterte-signs-balik-scientist-act-to-reverse-brain-drain">Duterte signs ‘Balik Scientist’ Act to reverse brain drain</a></li></ul><p>The DOST is waiting for Congress to pass a bill that would enact and provide annual funds for the operation of the virology hub, Guevara said.</p><p>A House of Representatives panel recently approved and referred to plenary a measure creating the Philippines&#x27; Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the Virology Science and Technology Institute. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/21/21/virology-institute-cdc-philippines">House panel OKs bill for creation of PH virology institute, CDC</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Once may batas, puwede na mag-operate iyan,&quot; she said.</p><p>(Once a law is passed, it can start operations.)</p><p>Should Congress pass the law while the site is still being built, the VIP will be housed in a temporary facility so that scientists could begin working on their projects, she said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/13/20/these-filipino-scientists-left-their-career-abroad-to-help-ph-combat-covid-19">These Filipino scientists left their career abroad to help PH combat COVID-19</a></li></ul><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1692223" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar"><em>Video courtesy of the Department of Health</em></div>

<p>The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday said it is in talks with several agencies to construct a building for the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) in Tarlac in the next 2 years.</p>

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday said it is in talks with several agencies to construct a building for the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) in Tarlac in the next 2 years.

Virology Institute of the Philippines to rise in Tarlac in 2 years: DOST

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Virology Institute of the Philippines to rise in Tarlac in 2 years: DOST

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 25, 2021 01:27 PM PHT

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Updated May 25, 2021 01:28 PM PHT

Read More:

DOST

Virology Institute of the Philippines

science

research

COVID-19

coronavirus

New Clark City

BCDA

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