Establishing the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 674

Establishment of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
- Created the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (the Institute) (Sec. 1)
- Defined the scope and coverage of tropical medicine to include diseases specific to the tropics or that present differently in the tropics (Sec. 2)
- The Minister of Health may include other pertinent diseases in consultation with the Advisory Board (Sec. 2)

Authority and Responsibility
- The Institute shall be operated as a special project in the Office of the Minister of Health (Sec. 3a)
- The Minister of Health shall promulgate policies for and exercise supervision and control over the Institute (Sec. 3a)
- The Institute shall be headed by a Director and an Assistant Director, both appointed by the Minister of Health (Sec. 3b)

Powers and Functions of the Institute
- Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control, and prevention of tropical diseases that are major causes of mortality and morbidity in the Philippines (Sec. 4a)
- Conduct clinical trials aimed at better understanding and control of tropical diseases (Sec. 4b)
- Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical personnel in the control of common tropical diseases in the country (Sec. 4c)
- Provide high quality tertiary care to both inpatients and out-patients suffering from tropical diseases included within the scope of the Institute's research activities (Sec. 4d)
- Participate in the technical cooperation program with the Japan International Cooperation Agency in research activities in the diagnosis, control and prevention of tropical diseases (Sec. 4e)
- Arrange for the participation of the National Science Development Board and the U.P. System Health Sciences Center in the planning and implementation of the Institute's programs (Sec. 4f)
- Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of funds, equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment of its objectives (Sec. 4g)
- Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the Minister of Health (Sec. 4h)

Organization and Personnel
- The Institute shall have its technical and administrative support staff as well as consultants as may be necessary (Sec. 5)
- Consultants may be drawn from the public and private sectors on consultancy or contractual basis and shall be granted honoraria or allowances at such amounts as may be determined in accordance with existing rules and regulations (Sec. 5)

Advisory Board
- The Institute shall have an Advisory Board composed of the Minister of Health (Chairman), the Chairman of the National Science Development Board, and the Chancellor of the U.P. System Health Sciences Center (Sec. 6)

Transfer of Biomedical Research Functions
- All functions of the following units in the Ministry of Health involving biomedical research in tropical medicine shall be transferred to the Institute together with applicable appropriations, records, equipment, property and such personnel as may be necessary: Bureau of Research and Laboratories, Schistosomiasis Control and Research Service, Dermatology Research and Training Center, and Malaria Eradication Service (Sec. 7)

Funding
- Such amounts as may be necessary for the operating expenses of the Institute for the current calendar year is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any unappropriated funds in the National Treasury (Sec. 8)
- Subsequently, the appropriations for the Institute shall be included in the general appropriations act (Sec. 8)

Repealing Clause and Effectivity
- All laws, decrees, charters, executive orders, administrative orders, proclamations rules and regulations or parts thereof that are in conflict with this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly (Sec. 9)
- This Executive Order shall take effect immediately (Sec. 10)