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Advocates Philippines
Senate Greenlights Virology Institute: Bong Go Pushes For Vaccine Independence
Photo credit: Senator Bong Go
Looks like the Philippines is taking a big step toward becoming more self-sufficient in handling viruses and developing its own vaccines! The Senate just approved the proposed Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act on its third and final reading, with Senator Bong Go leading the charge.
Why is this a big deal?
Senator Go, who has been pushing for this bill, made it clear that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a major weakness—we had to rely on other countries for vaccines. And if there’s one lesson we should have learned, it’s that we need to be prepared for future health emergencies.
"Dapat lessons learned na tayo sa naranasan natin noong pandemya. One step ahead dapat tayo para hindi tayo mabigla," Go emphasized.
The VIP will serve as the country’s main hub for studying viruses and developing vaccines, focusing not just on human diseases but also on viruses affecting plants and animals. This means more research, better monitoring, and faster responses to potential outbreaks.
No More Waiting on Other Countries
A key goal of the Virology Institute? Vaccine self-reliance. Go pointed out that during the pandemic, the Philippines was at the mercy of other nations for vaccines. With VIP, he envisions a future where we can produce our own vaccines and not just import them.
"The years spent battling the pandemic have exposed one of the biggest weaknesses in our healthcare system—our inability to produce vaccines of our own," he said.
VIP will also collaborate with private companies to boost research and development, paving the way for homegrown industries in vaccine production.
Investing in the Future
Go recalled how, back in 2019, funding for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was almost slashed. But he and his fellow lawmakers fought to restore it—a move that turned out to be crucial when the pandemic hit.
"Naalala ko po noong 2019, may gustong bawasan ang budget ng RITM. Pero hindi tayo pumayag. At noong dumating ang pandemya, napaka-importante ng papel nila," he shared.
With the VIP Act now approved by the Senate, the next step is for it to be enacted into law. Go remains hopeful that this, along with the proposed Center for Disease Control (CDC), will reinforce the country’s defenses against future health crises.
"The CDC will be our central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control," he explained, adding that it will help strengthen the government’s response to both infectious and non-communicable diseases.
The Bottom Line
With the Virology Institute in the works and plans for a Philippine CDC, the country is gearing up to be more proactive rather than reactive in dealing with health threats. If all goes according to plan, future pandemics won’t catch us off guard.
This could be a game-changer for Philippine healthcare—what do you think?
Why is this a big deal?
Senator Go, who has been pushing for this bill, made it clear that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed a major weakness—we had to rely on other countries for vaccines. And if there’s one lesson we should have learned, it’s that we need to be prepared for future health emergencies.
"Dapat lessons learned na tayo sa naranasan natin noong pandemya. One step ahead dapat tayo para hindi tayo mabigla," Go emphasized.
The VIP will serve as the country’s main hub for studying viruses and developing vaccines, focusing not just on human diseases but also on viruses affecting plants and animals. This means more research, better monitoring, and faster responses to potential outbreaks.
No More Waiting on Other Countries
A key goal of the Virology Institute? Vaccine self-reliance. Go pointed out that during the pandemic, the Philippines was at the mercy of other nations for vaccines. With VIP, he envisions a future where we can produce our own vaccines and not just import them.
"The years spent battling the pandemic have exposed one of the biggest weaknesses in our healthcare system—our inability to produce vaccines of our own," he said.
VIP will also collaborate with private companies to boost research and development, paving the way for homegrown industries in vaccine production.
Investing in the Future
Go recalled how, back in 2019, funding for the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was almost slashed. But he and his fellow lawmakers fought to restore it—a move that turned out to be crucial when the pandemic hit.
"Naalala ko po noong 2019, may gustong bawasan ang budget ng RITM. Pero hindi tayo pumayag. At noong dumating ang pandemya, napaka-importante ng papel nila," he shared.
With the VIP Act now approved by the Senate, the next step is for it to be enacted into law. Go remains hopeful that this, along with the proposed Center for Disease Control (CDC), will reinforce the country’s defenses against future health crises.
"The CDC will be our central hub for disease prevention, surveillance, and control," he explained, adding that it will help strengthen the government’s response to both infectious and non-communicable diseases.
The Bottom Line
With the Virology Institute in the works and plans for a Philippine CDC, the country is gearing up to be more proactive rather than reactive in dealing with health threats. If all goes according to plan, future pandemics won’t catch us off guard.
This could be a game-changer for Philippine healthcare—what do you think?
Feb 4, 2025
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