More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
A Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines has been established by the government after President Marcos signed RA 12290 into law.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday emphasized the importance of establishing a virology and vaccine hub to enhance the country’s preparedness for future pandemics.
This, as the PCO confirmed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act (RA) 12290, establishing the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP), a national research center focusing on studies of viruses, pathogens and vaccine development.
“The creation of the VIP is viewed as a landmark move to enhance the Philippines’ capacity to respond to future pandemics and other public health threats, while also fostering innovation in science and technology,” the PCO said in a statement.
“The VIP will serve as the country’s lead institution for research on potential disease-causing agents affecting humans, plants, animals, and the environment.”
Signed on Sept. 12, RA 12290 mandates the VIP to conduct vaccine research, from discovery to pre-clinical phases, and develop diagnostics and therapeutics for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases.
Initially discussed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the VIP Act aims to establish a state-of-the-art research institute that will study viruses; develop vaccines, diagnostics and treatments; and ensure the country’s preparedness for future health emergencies.
The VIP will be headed by a director who will report the results of research and development studies to the board, which will be co-chaired by the secretaries of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Agriculture.
RA 12290 requires the VIP to submit an annual report to the President and to the Committees on Science and Technology of the Senate and House of Representatives not later than March 30 annually.
The VIP will carry out discovery programs in virology, molecular biology and bioinformatics, while building partnerships with local and international research institutions.
The PCO said the VIP will invest in advanced virology infrastructure, including high-containment facilities, biobanks and genome laboratories.
“The law also provides for the training of experts, technical assistance to research communities, and the dissemination of evidence-based policy recommendations,” it said.
“The newly enacted law declares the policy of the State to safeguard the people’s right to health and recognize the critical role of science and technology in national development.”
RA 12290 adopts the “One Health” approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant and environmental health, ensuring that virology research will not only address human health concerns but also agricultural and ecological challenges.
Under the law, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) will keep its current functions under the DOH while working closely with the VIP.
The RITM will continue providing expertise in detecting and identifying emerging infectious diseases and offering laboratory support.
Findings from the VIP, RITM and other concerned agencies will be integrated into the plans of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and the National Task Force against animal-borne diseases, or their successor bodies, to strengthen the country’s response to public health emergencies.
Malacañang has yet to release a copy of RA 12290.
No word on how this lab will be funded or staffed. A copy of the law has yet to be released.
The Logistics sector is bouncing back after challenges during the pandemic.
THE country’s logistics and supply chain sectors are bouncing back from the pandemic aftershocks and climate disasters via digital, structural and policy solutions, a government official said Wednesday at the LogiSYM Philippines 2025 symposium.
The discussion was held in conjunction with the 16th edition of the Transport and Logistics Philippines Expo — a three-day event that gathered entrepreneurs, agents and purchasers in the logistics sector, showcasing transport equipment, vehicles and services, as well as storage, supply chain, and security products and solutions.
“Today, supply chains are no longer simple linkages of moving goods from point A to point B. They have become living ecosystems shaped not only by trade policies and infrastructure but also by global events, technology shifts, and even the day-to-day decisions of people on the ground,” said Vivian Solit-Santos, deputy director general for operations at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
Santos admitted that the country continues to feel the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. “We witnessed raw materials costs climb because of congestion and global route changes, and delayed deliveries. These disruptions are real difficulties for our locators in the ecozones,” she said, describing how delivery delays and increased costs have hurt domestic producers and exporters.
She also noted the rise of cybersecurity attacks. “While digital adoption has made processes faster and more efficient, it has also opened up new risks,” Santos said, citing a recent survey showing 84.5 percent of leading organizations reported increasing supply chain-related cyber breaches, with nearly a third unable to detect the incidents.
Sustainability is another pressing issue, she pointed out, saying supply chains account for 60 to 90 percent of total emissions and over 90 percent of air pollution.
She likewise mentioned the vulnerability of Philippine infrastructure to natural disasters, referencing the devastation wrought by back-to-back typhoons that affected nearly 10 percent of the population and caused $1.6 billion in infrastructure damage in 2024.
“It meant roads washed out, bridges impassable and communities cut off,” Santos said.
Despite these obstacles, the sector is aggressively modernizing. “We in the land transportation bodies are elated and excited to be presenting the latest in our digital innovations, especially at this moment, when we can now spare more time to focus on other important matters,” said a representative from the Land Transportation Office.
To further secure these digital advancements, PEZA has set up a nationwide command center for ecosystem security, integrating surveillance, video analytics and real-time cargo tracking to address physical and cybersecurity risks.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of supply chain modernization. “The future of logistics is data-driven. AI can optimize routes, forecast demand and even automate warehouses. That is why we launched the AI Tech Academy,” Santos said.
The new training program, developed with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and industry partners, aims to equip Filipino workers with skills in machine learning, data science and smart logistics.
“The government has committed P9 trillion to roads, railways, ports and airports. Landmark projects like the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway will transform connectivity and cut logistics costs,” Santos said.
PEZA is complementing these efforts with new logistics parks and barge terminals, such as the Tanza Barge Terminal in Cavite, to decongest Metro Manila.
These incentives have attracted global logistics leaders and spurred investment. “We are enforcing our incentives regime under the Create More Act, the most generous and flexible package of incentives in Asean,” Santos said, adding that these policies have so far drawn in P8.7 billion in investments and created over 7,400 jobs in logistics alone.
The system if still feeling the effects of the pandemic but is on the road to recovery.
John Carlo Absalud Cayog is another Filipino success story. He got a job overseas and then the pandemic hit. For nine months he had to go without pay.
Barely two weeks after John Carlo Absalud Cayog landed his very first job, tragedy struck—his father passed away. The timing made the loss even harder to bear. His father wasn’t just a parent; he was his first supporter, the man who drove him on his motorcycle from one office to another, helping him process his requirements. It was as if his father’s mission was to make sure his son could begin his journey before quietly seeing him off.
That moment changed everything. What could have broken him became his reason to rise. Instead of dwelling on the pain, John Carlo made a promise: every success, every recognition, every milestone would be offered in memory of his father. Carrying that promise with him, he braved the uncertainties of working overseas.
“Hindi kami mayaman. Pero lumaki akong busog sa pagmamahal, disiplina, at paniniwala na balang araw, maaabot ko rin ang mga pangarap ko.”
For John Carlo, life began in the quiet province of Bautista, Pangasinan. Growing up, he witnessed the struggles of those who had less, while also seeing the privileges of those who had more. That contrast fueled his resolve—if opportunities were rare, he would work twice as hard to earn them.
That determination carried him all the way to the University of Luzon, where he became a scholar. Even when resources were scarce, he believed education would open doors—just as his father had opened the first one for him. With every recognition he earned in school, John Carlo knew he was one step closer to the future he once only dreamed of.
Like many OFWs, John Carlo knew the weight of sacrifice. But nothing prepared him for the pandemic. For nine long months, he endured life in a foreign country without pay.
There were nights he lay awake, haunted by questions. “Kaya ko pa ba? Tama pa ba ang desisyon kong mangibang-bansa?” Every morning he woke up with the same worries: How will I support my family? How long will this last? The uncertainty drained him. He felt helpless, anxious, and even doubted whether he had made the right career choices.
But John Carlo chose not to give in and reminded himself:
"Your current hardship does not define you. Hardship is a season, not a destination.”
When he was named a The Filipino TImes Watchlist Awardee, he was overwhelmed. For him, it wasn’t just a title—it was a reminder of how far he had come from Pangasinan to the global stage.
"Being an awardee shows that Filipinos, when given the chance, can lead, innovate, and excel anywhere in the world. This award is for my father, and for all OFWs whose sacrifices often go unseen.”
Years later, the boy from Pangasinan would stand tall among the world’s most respected engineers. His name now carries not only his family’s pride—but also the pride of a nation.
From playing a key role in the Etihad Rail Project, one of the UAE’s landmark infrastructure developments, to earning global accreditations as an APEC Engineer, ASEAN Engineer, Chartered Engineer, and IPEA Engineer, John Carlo proved that perseverance can build bridges across borders.
Today, he also serves as part of the Committee of Engineers Australia UAE chapter and 2024 Board of Directors of PICE-UAE, guiding and mentoring young Filipino engineers. Whether through community service, professional leadership, or simply being a quiet role model of integrity and hard work, John Carlo says the The Filipino Times Watchlist recognition challenged him to step into leadership with both humility and courage.
For young Filipinos who feel like giving up, John Carlo’s words carry the weight of his own struggles.
“Ang pinagdadaanan mo ngayon, hindi ‘yan ang katapusan,” he says with quiet conviction. “Puwede mong gawing layunin ang sakit. Magtiwala ka, lumaban ka, dahil bawat paghihirap ay paghahanda para sa mas malaking biyaya.”
They are not just words of comfort—they are words born from nights of doubt, seasons of loss, and the courage to rise again.
There are a lot of details missing from this story. Was he in the UAE? Did his job simply dissappear or did he simply go unpaid during the pandemic?
The DOF claims frontliners have received their pay from funds that were remitted to PhilHealth from the treasury.
The Department of Finance (DOF) said the bulk of the P60 billion remitted by the state-run insurer Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to the National Treasury last year was used to pay health emergency allowances for frontliners.
Following the order to return the funds to PhilHealth, the DOF announced that P27.45 billion was given to health care workers who served at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The expansion of services requires the infusion of funds, and we in the revenue sector will do our job so that such an important public service will be financed,” the Finance department said.
“The DOF is happy that wasteful expenditures will now be rechanneled to hospital wards.”
Aside from frontliner allowances, the remitted funds also supported other priority programs, including P10 billion for medical assistance to indigent and financially incapacitated patients, P4.1 billion for the procurement of medical and primary care equipment.
Around P3.4 billion was allocated for the Department of Health’s facilities, and P1.7 billion was given to the health facilities enhancement program.
The remaining P13 billion was channelled to counterpart funding for foreign-assisted infrastructure and projects aimed at addressing social determinants of health, including initiatives to improve food security and expand healthcare access in remote communities.
The DOF explained that the suspension and termination of certain flood control projects generated fiscal space for the government, making it possible to restore funds to PhilHealth and thereby enabling the agency to fully meet its zero balance billing program obligations for patients.
“If there is upside in the DOF’s compliance with a law passed by Congress, is it that it triggered an upward readjustment of PhilHealth benefits,” it said. “A combination of management change and system overhaul led to significant improvements in PhilHealth services to its members.”
PhilHealth is expected to receive the highest subsidy among government-owned and controlled corporations with P53.26 billion in the 2026 budget, after its subsidy was removed last year.
The Marcos administration said it would return P60 billion in previously transferred funds to the Treasury following a buildup of savings from several agencies as next year’s flood control projects were scrapped.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has presented the revised budget for the agency amounting to P625.78 billion, down by 30 percent from the earlier proposal of P881.31 billion.
In comparison to the current year’s General Appropriations Act, the newly proposed budget is about 42 percent lower than this year’s level of P1.09 trillion.
That does not mean all back pay has been dispersed to frontliners but it's a start.
The DOH has been directed to pay 9,5 million pesos for brokerage services during the pandemic.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to pay P9.5 million to Nonpareil International Freight and Cargo Services, Inc. (NIFCSI) for brokerage services rendered during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
NIFCSI was awarded the brokerage services contract by the DOH on Feb. 6, 2020 with a contract price of P18,603,200.
As of Aug. 11, 2020, 92 percent of the contract price or P17,041,586.55 had already been consumed for brokerage services.
Since it was the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and the DOH had a high volume of shipments from international donations, the contract with the NIFCSI was extended until a new service provider was procured.
The DOH and NIFCSI then executed a contract extension on Sept. 30, 2020 for P10 million, which extended the latter's services for a period of three months or until a new contract was awarded to a new service provider.
The DOH secured a loan facility from the World Bank (WB) under the Philippine Covid-19 Emergency Response Project (PCERP). The loan’s major component was the procurement of equipment, vehicles, and commodities which will be distributed to hospitals and sub-national laboratories to improve their capabilities in handling Covid-19 cases.
Since the WB had not yet contracted a third-party logistics firm for brokering in hauling portable X-ray machines, the PCERP requested that the DOH use its existing brokerage services.
The DOH contract with NIFCSI was then extended for a second time for P15 million for a period of two months, and it was also extended a third time from Jan. 1, 2021 to Feb. 28, 2021 for P11 million.
However, the WB informed DOH that the brokerage services cannot be charged against WB funds.
NIFCSI sent a final demand letter to DOH demanding payment for seven shipments totalling P9,557,567.12, which the DOH admitted it cannot pay as the funds allotted for the contract and its extensions had been consumed.
A petition for money claim was then filed before the COA. NIFCSI submitted a certificate of non-payment of claim issued by the accountant of the DOH, delivery monitoring shipment, statement of account, communications regarding unpaid invoices, and other invoices and billing statements.
The audit team leader (ATL) and supervising auditor (SA) verified the claim of NIFCSI in the amount of P9,557,567.12. The audit team found that the claim was reasonable, valid, and supported with complete documents pursuant to Section 4(6) of Presidential Decree No. 1445, the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.
"In this case, the funds for the original contract and its extensions were already exhausted or consumed by DOH. When NIFCSI rendered brokerage services for the PCERP there were no more funds available to cover the services," the COA said in its decision.
"Nonetheless, there is no doubt that NIFCSI rendered actual services from which DOH and PCERP have benefitted. Accordingly, it is only just and equitable to allow NIFCSI to recover the reasonable value of the services rendered," the COA ruled.
The six-page decision was signed by COA Chairperson Gamaliel A. Cordoba and Commissioners Roland Cafe Pondoc and Mario G. Lipana.
It means they paid for services to haul around and distribute to hospitals all the stuff needed to fight the pandemic.
