VIP Act Signed, DOST to Lead Institute on Virology Research

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act on September 12, 2025, officially designating the VIP as the country’s premier national institute for virology research and vaccine development under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The initiative, led by the DOST, aims to bolster the nation’s  public health defenses and strengthen preparedness for future disease outbreaks.

Following the principles of the One Health Approach, the VIP will spearhead the development of locally made diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines targeting  viral diseases and pathogens affecting humans, animals, and plants. Through this initiative, the DOST aims to build stronger public health defenses and improve the country’s preparedness for future disease outbreaks, safeguarding both human health and food security.

“The establishment of the VIP marks the country’s commitment to strengthen local capacities in preparing for and responding to public health threats such as pandemics and disease outbreaks,” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr.  “By building our capacities to face these threats, we protect the health and well-being of Filipinos, strengthen our economic resilience, and ensure sustainability,” he added.

Viral diseases that are common in the country, according to the Department of Health, include: Acute Respiratory Infection, Influenza, Chicken pox, Dengue, Hepatitis, and Measles.  The VIP is also able to address viral diseases in animals like the African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza.  In plants, the VIP is developing an early detection system for Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (now classified as Begomovirus coheni), which affects solanaceous cash crops.  The initiative, led by the DOST, aims to bolster the nation’s  public health defenses and strengthen preparedness for future disease outbreaks.

“Viruses are among the fastest-evolving threats to human, animal, and plant health, and we must keep pace with this reality. At present, the Philippines does not have a dedicated institution that focuses on diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development against viral diseases,” said DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia.  “With the growing number of viral infections affecting people, livestock, and crops, the need for a state-of-the-art virology research center has never been more urgent.”

The VIP’s mandate covers a wide range of critical functions. It will undertake discovery programs in virology and related disciplines, conduct vaccine research, and develop diagnostics and therapeutics for viruses and other pathogens. It will also promote evidence-based policies on virology and vaccine science, forge partnerships with local and international research networks, and train and engage experts to build national capacity. In addition, the institute will invest and operate state-of-the-art virology infrastructure while providing technical assistance to support the broader research community.

To ensure a  multidisciplinary and coordinated approach, the DOST will work closely with the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and other relevant agencies in implementing the institute’s programs. In its first five years, the VIP will focus on strengthening local research  capacities and expanding the country’s  body of knowledge  on virus strains and diseases, laying the groundwork for a more resilient and prepared Philippines.

“With the enactment of the VIP Law, we, at the DOST, are committed to releasing the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 90 days. We will also gear up for extensive public consultations to ensure that the law is implemented transparently and inclusively,” said Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of DOST-PCHRD.

Countdown to the World Solar Challenge: Innovative Solar Powered Car Safely Shipped to Australia by Gebrüder Weiss

Adelaide / Lauterach, October 16, 2023. At the end of September, the innovative solar powered car of the aCentauri Solar Racing Team arrived in Adelaide, Australia. As official partner, the international logistics company Gebrüder Weiss transported the high-tech vehicle, with all the relevant equipment to Australia, seamlessly coordinating a mix of land transport, air and sea freight. At the end of October, students of ETH Zurich will take part in the World Solar Challenge with the car. In this unique race, 31 teams must cover the 3,000 km from Darwin down through the Australian outback to Adelaide, using only solar energy.

When the shipment arrived at the airport in Adelaide, the Australian logistics experts from Gebrüder Weiss were called for. After all, the solar powered car is no "standard product", but was designed, built, and tested by the ETH Zurich students themselves. Special regulations apply to the import of used goods to Australia: "In order to protect Australia’s unique flora and fauna from pests and diseases, the import of used goods is subject to strict quarantine and customs regulations," explains Martin Fernandes, Country Manager Australia at Gebrüder Weiss. "We had already prepared extensive documentation and certificates for the import of the solar powered car and all related equipment in advance. This way, we ensured that the team could start on time for the race."

Team Manager Alexandr Ebnöther is already in the starting blocks with his aCentauri Solar Racing Team and is relieved to have a specialist with local knowledge at his side in Gebrüder Weiss: "We are fortunate to have gained an internationally operating logistics partner. The experts at Gebrüder Weiss know the local regulations and have taken care of all the formalities for us, so that we can concentrate fully on preparing for the race." To be perfectly prepared for the start of the race on October 22 in Darwin, the aCentauri Solar Racing Team will also road test its Solar Challenger on some sections of the track.

Gebrüder Weiss sees such ambitious research and innovation as the basis for new mobility concepts, and as an asset for a state-of-the-art infrastructure in logistics. That is why Gebrüder Weiss cooperates with young scientists to jointly shape the mobility of the future. In doing so, the logistics experts contribute their extensive knowledge and many years of experience, be it for the punctual start of the World Solar Challenge, or for a Mars or space mission.

Gebrüder Weiss regularly reports on the preparations and progress of the cooperation on a dedicated landing page and via various social media channels.

Treasures of Eastern Visayas at “Bahandi” Regional Trade Fair 2019

Around 150 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Eastern Visayas converged to bring the treasures of the island to Metro Manila.

The Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City turned into a festivity area as the 22nd “Bahandi” Eastern Visayas Trade Fair formally launched last October 3.

During the opening ceremony, DTI Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff of the Office of the Secretary, Rowel S. Barba delivered the keynote message on behalf of DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. In his message, Secretary Lopez, through Undersecretary Barba, reassured that DTI firmly supports trade fairs like the annual Bahandi Trade Fair because it serves as a marketing platform where big buyers do business with regional producers. Undersecretary Barba also associated “Bahandi” to MSMEs as they serve as treasures of the Philippines. The opening ceremony was also graced by key officials from the local government units in Eastern Visayas and other key officials of DTI Region 8 lead by OIC-Regional Director Celerina T. Bato.

“Bahandi” Trade Fair features the treasures of the provinces of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte in the form of fashion accessories, housewares, decors, furniture, and artisan food. The 150 participating MSMEs came from the Wearables and Homestyle and Processed Food sectors assisted by the different programs and projects of the Department.

This annual trade fair aims to provide a trade venue for producers from the region, link the producers with institutional and walk-in byers, and showcase the programs and projects designed for the MSMEs such as Shared Service Facilities (SSF), OTOP Next Generation and CARP. The five-day trade fair aims to generate at least Php 35M total sales for producer-exhibitors.

36 Philippine Companies Joins the World's Biggest Food Trade Fair - Anuga 2019

Cologne, Germany---In the efforts of DTI’s aggressive move towards trade promotions of exportable food and fruit products with the aim to further boost Philippine export industry, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) delegation led by Trade Promotions Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman is currently together with 36 Philippine food producers and manufacturers in the much-awaited leading trade fair for food and beverage industry, Anuga 2019 running 5-9 of October in Koelmesse, Cologne Germany.

“This gathering signal a strong ‘One DTI’–an agency united by a common cause to uphold the quality of our local businesses and the export competitiveness of the Philippines in the global trade”, Usec Macatoman said during the Ceremonial Opening.

The Philippines highlighted the country’s premium commodities – banana, coconut, mango, and tuna along with other top-notch products in the said trade fair.

Speaking of trade, the Philippines and European countries have always maintained a solid partnership in matters of trade and investments. In terms of region, the European Union or EU is currently the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner, 3rd largest import source and 4th largest export market in 2018 with Germany as our top 7 export country destination.

The Philippines also continues to enjoy zero tariff benefits from the EU under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences or GSP+. The GSP+ coverage was implemented in 2014 and currently gives duty-free privileges in 6, 274 product tariff lines from the Philippines.

The EU Commission’s 2018 mid-term GSP evaluation showed that the Philippines has the second most diversified export portfolio under EU-GSP+ with 3,047 tariff lines covered under EU-GSP+ from 2014-2016. The same report also indicated that the Philippines has an average EU-GSP+ utilization rate of 68.9 percent from 2014 to 2016.

“With the overwhelming response from our previous participation, we have brought this year our biggest delegation yet in Anuga with 36 companies under the FoodPhilippines banner as part of the Philippine government’s initiative to strengthen the Philippine and European relations in matters of trade and investment, It is through events like Anuga, which offers a platform for business opportunities and partnerships through the exchange of culture and flavors, that this trade relation continues to grow even further.”, Macatoman said.

“We are thankful to our European partners for this privilege since around 25 percent of total Philippine exports to the EU benefit from the EU GSP+ trade preference. As of 2017, An estimate of more than 2-billion-euro worth of Philippine exports has benefited from GSP+ trade preference. “, Macatoman emphasized.

This year, the Philippine delegation was graced by Madam Cielito “Honeylet” Avancena, who has been a long-time business woman and an advocate of the micro-, small- and medium-enterprises (MSMEs).

The Philippine participation in Anuga 2019 is spearheaded by DTI-CITEM and Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTIC) Berlin, Germany.

PRESS STATEMENT OF SECRETARY RAMON LOPEZ ON SEPTEMBER 2019 INFLATION

Philippine headline inflation fell further to 0.9% year-on-year (yoy) in September, the lowest since June 2016. The decline in food prices, specifically rice prices, largely brought down inflation. Rice tariffication liberalized rice importation which brought down rice prices, from over PHP 48 to PHP 40 and below.

Rice prices are projected to go down further as we encourage major food retailers to import rice directly and cut down traders.

NFA is also bringing out their rice inventory and the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) will also be asked to consolidate importation for smaller rice retailers and food outlets.

The drop in transport costs has also contributed to the inflation deceleration. Global oil prices stabilized as concerns over potential oil supply disruption from attack on Saudi Aramco oil facilities simmered down.

Average inflation over January to September period now stands at 2.8%, already below the midpoint of the government’s inflation target range.

DOST Gives P33 Million Grant to QBO Innovation Hub to Build Stronger Startup Ecosystem in PH

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña and PLDT and PLDT Chairman and CEO and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan reinforced their commitment to Filipino startups at a joint appearance last week sealing DOST’s P33 million grant to QBO Innovation Hub, a public private sector partnership among DOST, the Department of Trade and Industry, J.P. Morgan and IdeaSpace, the innovation foundation of the MVP group.  The grant calls for QBO to raise the level of 12 Technology Business Incubators (TBI) around the country. Also present at the event were staunch supporters and partners of QBO Carlos Ma. G. Mendoza, Senior Country Officer for J.P. Morgan Philippines and Patricia Anne Javier-Gutierrez, J.P. Morgan Philippines Head of Communications.

Working towards the vision of creating over a thousand innovative startups around the country, and seeing the emergence of a Filipino unicorn in the next five years, the grant will support QBO in carrying out a nationwide project to strengthen TBIs. The grant also serves to help them develop more programs that will create an enabling environment for Filipino tech founders to scale their businesses and become globally competitive.

“I really appreciate that in addition to our own initiatives, we have a collaboration with QBO. The signing of the Innovative Startup Act authorizes us, together with DTI and DICT, to support and assist Filipino startups. So, thank you to IdeaSpace and most especially to QBO for inspiring us to help Filipino startups,” said Secretary de la Peña.

"It’s about time to focus on science and innovation and there are  efforts for that — thanks to DOST," said Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of the board of IdeaSpace Foundation. "We believe that with our stronger commitment, we will be able to put Philippine technopreneurs on par with its regional, if not global, counterparts."

"The DOST grant recognizes the enormous progress achieved by the public private sector partnership that produced QBO,” said Rene Meily, president of QBO and IdeaSpace. “DOST has been continuously holding activities with QBO, IdeaSpace and other partners to discover the Philippines' next unicorn and we are grateful to them for their support. I hope that the golden era for Philippine startups may be just within reach.”

DOST has been working side by side with QBO since it was established in 2016. Since its inception, QBO has grown to have more than 5,000 members and over 300 tech startups representing various verticals. On top of implementing hundreds of startup development programs, including mentorship and specialized coaching and consultation sessions that have opened global opportunities for the founders, QBO, together with DOST, DTI, and J.P. Morgan, has also yielded gains in multimillion-peso funding and revenue raised for startups.

To learn more about QBO and its projects for startups, visit https://www.qbo.com.ph/.


About QBO

QBO (‘ku-bo’) is an innovation hub or a platform for the startup community to collaborate, develop talent, and grow. It provides startups with support and resources through events and capacity building programs as well as focused interventions designed to improve access to markets, knowledge, capital, and talent. QBO is the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, created through a partnership between IdeaSpace, J.P. Morgan, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry.

Spurred on by the vision of Filipinos startups changing the world, QBO’s mission is to create a globally competitive startup ecosystem in the Philippines.

BGC Is Bridging the Arts and Sciences with the Ultimate Indi e Weekend

Putting up a local feast for the mind and soul, the Ultimate Indie Weekend in Bonifacio Global City will bring a two-fold Independence Day celebration on June 10 – 11, 2017 with the Philippine’s first Manila Mini Maker Faire and the 2^nd BGC Arts Center Festival “BGC Loves Local.”

To show that we can bridge the arts and sciences, Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, nonprofit organization, is spearheading the Manila Mini Maker Faire through The Mind Museum to put the country on the global tech map, and the BGC Arts Center Festival through the BGC Arts Center to feed your cultural soul. 

 “No township in the Philippines has ever deliberately made pillars out of science and the arts as part of its founding and development. And with The Mind Museum on its 5th year and the newly created BGC Arts Center, we are even more inspired to rally this science-and-arts bridge to help in nation-building and culture-making”, explains Maria Isabel Garcia, Curator of The Mind Museum and Head of Content of the BGC Arts Program. 

Groups of homegrown creative artists, scientists, and engineers are expected to come together in this one rare weekend event. “This fantastic weekend is for everyone – families, friends -  everyone curious as to how the arts and the sciences are connected and how these fields talk to each other to serve our lives better. This is the kind of weekend who has engineers, artists and performers to give us fascinating technologies and uplifting performances that could improve the quality of our days – which is the greatest form that art and science could take,” adds Garcia.