SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’  Go renewed his call for the establishment of a Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines to mitigate the risks posed by future pandemics.

Go said that a more coordinated institutional strategy to prevent, reduce and manage the risks associated with pandemics is needed to limit the threats on the country’s public health and socioeconomic stability.

Under Senate Bill 2155, the Institute shall be the principal laboratory for virology research and laboratory investigation. It will also be the lead technical coordinator of the nationwide network of virology laboratories.

If passed into law, the VIP will accelerate the development and expand access to new vaccines against diseases such as Covid1. It will also ensure that the country has sufficient emergency stockpile of vaccine doses.

Go also pushed for the passage of Senate Bill 2158 which establishes the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC will serve as the lead agency for developing communicable disease control and prevention initiatives.

It will be primarily responsible for controlling the spread of infectious diseases in the Philippines.

Senate Bills 2158 and 2155 are being deliberated through the technical working group under the subcommittee headed by Sen. Pia Cayetano under the Committee on Health and the Committee on Science and Technology headed by Sen. Nancy Binay, respectively.