BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges, including lockdowns that left millions of Filipinos, like Victor, without work.
When vaccines finally arrived in the country, Victor immediately received his Sinovac shot.
But they had to wait months for the vaccines, which were imported from other countries.
Victor believes it would be better if the Philippines could produce its own vaccines.
In 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced plans to establish the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines, along with a Center for Disease and Control.
This would equip the country with the ability to develop its own vaccines and advance knowledge on various diseases.
Three years later, the construction of the institute is ongoing, but it is not included in the 2025 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In a meeting with President Marcos, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum discussed the funding issue.
The President assured funding for the project to ensure its completion.
According to Secretary Solidum, 680 million pesos is still needed to finish the Virology and Vaccine Institute. He also assured the President that the institute would study diseases not only affecting humans but also plants and animals.
The institute is expected to be the foundation for research and innovation in the study of viruses that can impact humans, animals, and plants.