Transitory Provisions.
Section 27
SEC. 27. Transitory Provisions. - (a) All offices and units under the DOST system whose functions are related to virology research programs shall be absorbed by the VIP and shall be transferred accordingly within three (3) years. It shall include all functions, assets, capitals, records, funds, receivables, equipment, and facilities of the concerned DOST offices and units. The DOST shall conduct an audit and inventory of assets, liabilities, and human resources of the transferred offices and units under the DOST system to the VIP. To the greatest extent possible and in accordance with Republic Act No. 6656 or "An Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers and Employees in the Implementation of Government Reorganization", and other existing laws, all employees of the affected offices and units shall be absorbed by the VIP. Personnel hired on a permanent basis and with appointments attested to by the CSC who may be affected by the transition of DOST offices and units to the VIP, or who will not be absorbed in the new staffing pattern of the different offices and units in the VIP, shall have the option to: (1) Be transferred to other offices or units within the DOST in accordance with civil service law, rules, and regulations; or (2) Avail of the applicable retirement benefits and separation incentives as provided under Republic Act No. 6656 and other relevant laws. (b) Incumbent DOST officials and employees may be considered to assume positions in the VIP, subject to competency evaluation and CSC regulations. All project-based personnel of the DOST doing virology related research and development shall be subject to the qualification standards provided for by laws and the rules and regulations of the CSC. (c) Research grants acquired during the transition of DOST offices and units transferred to VIP shall be utilized solely for the grants' intended purposes for each of the affected offices and units. (d) Existing contracts and agreements entered into by the affected personnel with third parties prior to the enactment of this Act shall remain valid.