Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

Intramuros, Manila

Science and Technology, and Society

Written Report:
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND NATION BUILDING

Submitted by:
Nohay, Jennifer
Pagaran, Angelica
Pascua, John Vincent
Potenciano, Marian Coleen
Ramos, Alexandra Arel

BS BIOLOGY 2-1
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND NATION BUILDING
Science- knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through
experiments and observation
Technology- the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it
is sometimes phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment.
Nation building- is the process whereby a society of people with diverse origins, histories,
languages, cultures and religions come together within different boundaries.
 Science and technology are key drivers to development, because technological and
scientific revolutions underpin economic advances, improvements in health systems,
education and infrastructure.
 MODERNIZATION in every aspect of life is the greatest example of the implementation
of science and technology in every nation.
 Today, countries are classified as developed and developing countries. The major
categorization is based on economy and the application of science and technology.
 Today, countries are classified as developed and developing countries. The major
categorization is based on economy and the application of science and technology.
 Science and technology are key drivers to development, because technological and
scientific revolutions underpin economic advances, improvements in health systems,
education and infrastructure.
 To promote technological advances, developing countries should invest in quality
education for youth, continuous skills training for workers and managers, and should
ensure that knowledge is shared as widely as possible across society.

A. THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT S&T AGENDA

Science, Technology and Innovation
• Plays an important role in economic and social progress.
• A key driver of the long-term growth of an economy.
Importance of STI
• Significant improvements in agriculture, industry, and services sector
• Can lead to innovations that gives competitive advantage
• Creation of new firms and industries
• Creation of new public goods and services
Assessment of STI in the Philippines
• Low level of Innovation according to the reports of Global Innovation Index (GII)
• Philippines ranked 74th among 128 countries in innovation and 5th out of seven members
of ASEAN ahead of Indonesia and Cambodia
Factors behind the weak performance of STI sector
 Weak STI culture
• Lack of public awareness and interest in STI
• People do not recognize, appreciate and understand the use of technology and science –
based information in their daily activities
 Low government spending on STI
• STI monitoring and evaluation indicated low government spending on R&D
• Proportion of R&D spending to GDP is at 0.14 percent (not compliant to 1 percent
benchmark by UNESCO)
• Global average is 2.04 percent and low compared to other ASEAN countries
  Inadequate S&T human resources engaged in STI R&D
• Number of S&T human resources indicate capacity for technology generation
• As of 2013, total R&D personnel is 36,517 (26,495 are researchers, the rest are
technicians and support personnel)
• Low number of researchers (270 researcher for every one million Filipinos, falls short of
UNESCO norm of 380 per million)
 Difficulty in increasing employment opportunities and retaining S&T human capital
• Assessment of United States Agency for International Development – Science,
Technology, Research and Innovation for Development Program (USAID – STRIDE) revealed
excessive supply of STEM graduates
• Out – migration and underemployment of many skilled and trained scientists
 Absence of vibrant intellectual property culture
• Many universities do not have the expertise to market patent portfolios for commercial
use
• Needs to catch up in research publications ( scientific publications in peer-reviewed
journals per million population stands at 55, Singapore (10,368), Malaysia (1,484), Thailand
(478), and Vietnam (105)
 Weak linkages among players in the STI ecosystem
• Innovation actors have weak cooperation, partnerships, and trust among them.
• Higher Education Institutions distrust companies (can cause exploitation to their products
or ideas)
• Firms end up with little technical assistance from the government and research
institutions
 Restrictive regulations that hamper the implementation of R&D programs and
projects.
• Procurement process of government hampers the acquisition of needed equipments, and
other materials for R&D programs to implement
• USAID – STRIDE confirmed that restrictive regulations decrease research productivity,
publication potential, and speed to market innovations.
 Inadequate STI infrastructure
• Not enough laboratory facilities, testing facilities, and R&D centers.
• In need of upgrade for those existing facilities
• Leading research institutions are concentrated in Luzon.

B. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONALITIES IN S&T IN

THE PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2017-2022 OVERALL FRAMEWORK

“We are building a future where every Filipino enjoys a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na
buhay. Just like any building construction, we begin by laying down a strong foundation for
more inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient society, and a globally-competitive knowledge
economy”.
THE IMPACT WILL BE MANIFESTED IN THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES:
 The Philippines will be an upper middle-income country by 2022.
 Growth will be more inclusive as manifested by a lower poverty incidence in rural areas
– from 30% in 2015 to 20% in 2022.
  The Philippines will have a high level of human development by 2022.
 Unemployment rate will decline from 5.5% to 3-5% in 2022.
 There will be greater trust in government and in society.
 Individuals and communities will be more resilient.
 Filipinos will have greater drive for innovation.

Pillar 1: Enhancing Social Fabric (Malasakit)

Pillar 2: Inequality-reducing transformation (Pagbabago)
Pillar 3: Increasing growth potential (Patuloy na Pag-unlad)
a. Many will adopt modern technology, specifically for production.
b. Innovation will be further encouraged, especially in keeping with the harmonized research and
development agenda.
c. To quicken economic growth, interventions in managing population growth will be
implemented and investments for human capital development will be increased.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN S&T IN THE PHILIPPINES

 Modernization OF THE PRODUCTION SECTORS
o Comprehensive technology transfer
o Support programs to the CTTC
o Technology business incubators
o Science and technology parks
o Global search for technology
o Program of assistance of investors
 Upgrading of Research & Development Activities
o Research and development priority plan
 o Grant-in-aids program
o Contract research program
o Research and development incentives programs
 Development of Science & Technology Infrastructure
o Manpower development program in science and engineering
o Grade school and secondary level schools
o Vocational and Technical education
o Scientific career system
o Recognition of science and technology efforts
o Balik Scientists program
o Development of science and technology culture

OTHER PERSONALITIES IN S&T IN THE PHILIPPINES

1.) Dr. Fe Del Mundo

Paved the way for gender equality at Harvard.
She built her own hospital — the first of its kind in the Philippines.
She made history as the Philippines’ first female National Scientist.
Invented the Medical Incubator

2.) Abelardo B. Aguilar

> The Filipino Doctor Who Helped Discover Erythromycin (But Never Got Paid For It)
> Worked for the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company as a researcher.
> In 1949, he submitted samples of his work to the company’s research team who in 1952
declared the discovery of a new kind of antibiotic.
> Generically named erythromycin, the company christened it Ilosone to commemorate its origin
in Iloilo and marketed it under that name worldwide.
3.) Angel C. Alcala
Alcala was named a National Scientist of the Philippines in 2014.
He was the first scientist to comprehensively study the reptiles and amphibians of the
Philippines, and his research led to the identification of more than 50 new species.

4.) Raymundo Punongbayan

> The Hero of Mt. Pinatubo
> Former director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) . >
Punongbayan became popular after handling two well-known calamities, the July 16, 1990,
Luzon earthquake and the 1991 Pinatubo eruption.

5.) Ricardo Balog

> Received the 2018 Mario Cruel Award for Advanced Engineering Technology Application, for
his research on low-cost medical devices.
> Among Balog’s innovations are: a low-cost, multi-purpose, adjustable, and self-restraining
retractor used by surgeons in performing surgery on a patient’s abdominal area; and an
orthopedic device used to correct misaligned / dislocated bones, particularly a patient’s lower
limb bones.

6.) Gay Jane Perez

Led the DOST Philippines-Microsat program that successfully sent into orbit Diwata-1 in
2016.
> Her research focuses on using satellite data to forecast drought and identify the ideal planting
areas and seasons that could result in improved crop yield.

7.) William Padolina

pioneering research in leadership and promotion of natural products chemistry and
biotechnology.
His research also include the chemistry of the coconut- production of novel derivatives
8.) Charissa M. Ferrera
One of the Asian Scientist 100 this year 2019.
Focus on marine biogeochemistry.
Won the 2018 L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Fellowship for her research on
improving water quality in coastal towns.

9.) Marissa A. Paglicawan

A Scientist 1 and head of the Advanced Materials Section at the Materials Science
Division at DOST-ITDI.
Her research includes turning Manila hemp or abaca into an engineering material.
He also headed the project of DOST’s ITDI of using abaca fiber in “Tryk ni Juan” which
is a common motorized tricycle.
10.) Rody G. Sy
Practices Internal Medicine and Cardiology since 1975.
He has focused on hypertension, diabetic heart disease, metabolic syndrome, heart failure
and atherosclerosis.

References:
Chetty, L. (2012). Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. The Role of Science and
Technology in the Developing World in the 21st Century. Retrieved from
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/technology/importance-of-science-and-technology-in-
national-development-essay/8563
National Economic and Development Authority. (n.d.). Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
Retrieved from https://manila2018.dof.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/5-Philippine-
Development-Plan-2017-2022.pdf
The National Academic Press. (2006). The Fundamental Role of Science and Technology in
International Development: An Imperative for the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/read/11583/chapter/2