NABIGYAN-diin umano ang kahalagahan ng paghahanda ng bansa sa sakit bunsod ng karanasan sa coronavirus disease 2019.
At isa sa paghahanda na dapat umanong gawin ng gobyerno ay ang pagtatayo ng virology research institute na isasailalim sa Department of Science and Technology.
“It should be clear to all of us: preparation yields the best outcomes. The same goes for pandemics. It’s difficult to do because the rewards are not immediate. But the consequences to the unprepared can be catastrophic,” ani Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.
Inihain ni Albay Rep. Joey Salceda ang House bill 6793 upang maitayo ang Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) at mapondohan ito.
Ang VIP ang magsisilbing pangunahing research and development institute sa larangan ng virology at anumang virus at viral disease sa tao, halaman at hayop.
“It shall act as a venue for scientists, both here and abroad, to work collaboratively to study viruses of agricultural, industrial, clinical, and environmental importance.”
Hindi rin umano gagawin ng VIP ang trabaho na ginagawa na ng Research Institute of Tropical Medicine.
“The difference between the VIP and the current approach of the RITM is that VIP will be dedicated exclusively to the broadest and deepest possible exploration of everything we need to know about viruses that can affect the country, and more importantly, how we can prepare for them, as well as what opportunities lie in the research. For example, my region is the world’s biggest producer of abaca, and apparently abaca is among the best filters in the world. RITM will be the medical laboratory. VIP will be the R and D unit. CDC, which will be the umbrella unit for RITM, will be the overall health emergency management operation,” paliwanag ng solon.