Senator Christopher “Bong” Go yesterday welcomed the ratification by Congress of the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed Virology Institute of the Philippines Act.

“The pandemic taught us a hard lesson. If we had our own research facility back then, our response to Covid-19 could have been faster,” Go said, citing the need to improve the country’s biomedical research capabilities.

Go is the principal author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2893.

Under the bill, the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines will be established as an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).

It will focus on research involving human, animal, and plant viruses, and will lead pre-clinical studies, vaccine prototyping, and the development of diagnostics. The institute will also manage high-level biosafety labs and biobanks.

“If this becomes law, it will strengthen our capacity to identify, study, and fight viruses that can cause widespread illness or pandemics,” Go said. “This is a big step toward becoming more self-reliant in producing vaccines and medicines.”

Go, who has been vocal about health reforms, linked the bill to his broader push for pandemic readiness.

He also highlighted his proposal to establish a Philippine Center for Disease Control, through Senate Bill No. 195, aimed at strengthening disease surveillance and control.

“This is not just a response to current threats — it’s a preparation for the future,” Go said. “We need our own capacity to face the pandemics yet to come.”