Coleto 12:36 PM, Jul 13, 2021
July 13, 2021
Dear Charmaine Mirandilla,
Greetings!
Thank you for your request dated Jul 09, 2021 03:53:31 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.
You requested information on the Virology Institute of the Philippines.
The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) is one of the sectoral funding agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that provides R&D funding for research institutions in the Philippines. PCHRD funds research proposals that are aligned with the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HRNDA).
Please see below data and information.
1. Proposed Organizational Chart.
-Please refer to the attached file.
2. Research Programs
a. Virus Research
The pilot stages of VIP would focus on the development of expertise in the fields of identifying, cataloging, and studying viruses and the diseases they cause; these researches would serve as the foundation for future studies to be conducted by the VIP.
b. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
The Institute would study and develop innovative and applicable diagnostic and therapeutic tools and techniques for human, animal, and plant viruses and/or diseases. In collaboration with local companies and international partner institutions, the VIP aims to make these diagnostic and therapeutic tools accessible to the public by mass production and local distribution through technology transfer.
c. Vaccines Research
Research, development, and manufacturing activities of the VIP gearing towards the country's capability in producing its own vaccines against the ff. viruses and/or diseases they cause: coronaviruses, filoviruses, bunya viruses, arenaviruses, flaviviruses, Asf virus, plant viruses, and viroids.
3. Departments in the VIP
a. Virus Research
b. Diagnostics and Therapeutics Research
c. Vaccines Research
d. Finance & Administration
e. Policy Planning and Linkages
4. Scientists that will join the VIP
Already onboard as Balik Scientists are:
1. Dr. Elpidio Cesar B. Nadala Jr. with PhD in Microbiology and Animal Virology; Post Doc in Aquatic Virology and Medical Biotechnology, now a Vice President of Research and Development, Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd (DRW), California, USA
2. Dr. Lourdes M. Nadala with PhD in Microbiology (Major in Animal Virology), now a Vice President, Regulatory Affairs/Quality Assurance, Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd (DRW)
3. Dr. Teodoro M. Fajardo Jr. with PhD in Molecular Biology (Major in Molecular Biology and Molecular Virology; Post Doctoral Fellow at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK with PhD in Public Administration (Major in Public Management), now a Healthcare Scientist Team Manager , UK National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS)
4. Dr. Myra T. Hosmillo with PhD in Molecular Medical Science; Post Doctoral Fellow in Professor Ian Good fellow’s Lab, Division of Virology, Department of Virology, now a Research Associate, Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge
5. Dr. Christina Lora M. Leyson with PhD in Infectious Diseases, now a Postdoctoral Researcher
6. Dr. Leodevico Ilag with Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology; Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Structural biology of viruses and viral proteins, now a Director, Molawin Creek Ventures Pty. Ltd. (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia); Chief Scientific Officer, Xerion Ltd (Brighton, Victoria, Australia); Director, Philippine Asian Biotechnology R&D, Inc. (Manila, Philippines); Non-Executive Director, Plentex Philippines, Inc, Plentex Realty Inc, Plentex Agri-Milling Corp, Plentex Aquaculture Corp (Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines)
7. Dr. Homer Pantua, DVM with Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences specializing in Immunology and Virology, now a Department Research Operations Lab Manager and Principal Scientific Researcher, Biology Team Leader, Infectious Disease Department, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA; Chairman and CEO, Bio Assets Corporation.
If there are additional questions or need for further clarifications regarding this e-FOI request, please contact Ms. Maricar Carandang of DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) at mbcarandang@itdi.dost.gov.ph.
The establishment of the proposed Virology Institute of the Philippines will be under DOST-ITDI.
I also enclose a copy of the information you requested.
If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director at jcmontoya@pchrd.dost.gov.ph. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Janneth Coleto
FOI Receiving Officer
Attachments:
VIP FOI.docx.pdf
