USM Ties Up with SKSU, UTeM Malaysia for Faculty, Student Exchange
January 22, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao took part in the Mindanao Leg Public Consultation on the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12290, or the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act on January 20, 2026 at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Dr. Jonald Pimentel, the USM President, spearheaded the delegation along with Dr. Maria Elena Tanabe, faculty member from the Biology Department, and Dr. Philip Lester Benjamin, the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics.
In a Faceboook post, USTSP narrated that the high-level consultation brought together top scientists, policy-makers, and academic leaders to shape the future of the country’s health security.
Republic Act No. 12290, or the VIP Act, was signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on September 12, 2025, creating the VIP as the country’s premier national institute for virology research and development.
According to DOST, the draft IRR is set to be finalized in February 2026, which will signal the effective implementation of the law.
