Establishing the Philippine Eye Research Institute Within the University of the Philippines

June 19, 1965

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4593

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE EYE RESEARCH INSTITUTE WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. Pursuant to the national policy of promoting scientific research in the Philippines, there is hereby established within the College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, the Philippine Eye Research Institute, hereinafter referred to as the Institute.

SECTION 2. The Institute shall consist of:

a) Physical space and facilities for clinical, epidemiological and basic science investigation on eye diseases, particularly those prevalent or peculiar in the Philippines; and

b) A regular staff of research scientists, technicians and administrative personnel. cd

SECTION 3. The Institute shall discharge the following functions:

a) To undertake clinical applied and epidemiological investigations on eye diseases;

b) To make fundamental and basic studies and experiments on the problems of eye diseases;

c) To undertake research functions of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University of the Philippines;

d) To collaborate with scientific researches in other fields of medicine;

e) To provide stimulation and assistance to any ophthalmic research elsewhere in this country;

f) To cooperate with scientific research activities here and abroad; and

g) To formulate such plans, activities or proposals, and to recommend for adoption of the Board of Regents such policies, procedures, rules and regulations consistent with the power and effective operation of the Institute, as it shall deem necessary and reasonable.

SECTION 4. The Institute shall be administered by a Director and Assistant Director who should be recognized clinical and/or basic science researchers in ophthalmology. They shall be appointed by the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines upon recommendation of the University President.

SECTION 5. There shall be an Advisory Council of the Institute to be composed of the Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, as chairman, and the Director of the Philippine General Hospital, the chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, the chairman of the Board of Eye Research Foundation of the Philippines, and other members as may be appointed by the Board of Regents upon recommendation of the President of the University of the Philippines. The Advisory Council shall advise the Institute on technical and administrative aspects of its functions. cd i

SECTION 6. A trust fund, which is designated Eye Research Fund, is hereby established for the support of the Institute, including the purchase of research equipment and facilities, compensation and honoraria to researchers whether in the government service or otherwise, and such other necessary expenses to carry out the purpose of this Act. The Eye Research Fund shall consist of the amounts appropriated by the Government under this Act, and such sums as may be derived from private endowments, donations, and other sources.

SECTION 7. The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines shall, with the approval of the President of the said university, promulgate rules and regulations to raise funds through voluntary contributions and donations from whatever source.

SECTION 8. The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines shall act on recommendation of the President in behalf of the Institute and Council as in the case of other units of the University.

SECTION 9. To provide facilities and financial support for the Institute, the sum of five hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the capital and operating requirements of the Institute beginning with the fiscal year nineteen hundred sixty-six and nineteen hundred sixty-seven; thereafter said amount or so much thereof shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. cd i

SECTION 10. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 19, 1965

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 63, No. 5, p. 1060 on January 30, 1967