JESSA MAE CAC

BSAC-2A
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY ,
& SOCIETY

ACTIVITY 5
PHLIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEV'T IN
THE PHILIPPINES BEGAN IN THE PRE-COLONIAL
PERIOD. EVEN BEFORE THE SPANIARDS CAME TO
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, EARLY FILIPINO
SETTLERS WERE ALREADY USING CERTAIN
HERB AND PLANTS AS MEDICINES.

COLONIAL PERIOD
COLONZATION BY THE SPANIARDS PROVIDED THE PHIIPPINES
WITH MODERN MEANS OF CONSTRUCTION. WALLS, ROADS, BRIDGES,
AND OTHER LARGE INFRASTUCTURES WERE BUILT USING SOME OF
THE ENGINEERING SKILLS AND TOOLS BROUGHT BY THE SPANIARDS.
IN ADDITION, THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT DEVELOPED HEALTH
AND EDUCATION SYSTEMS THAT WERE ENJOYED BY THE
“PRINCIPALIA CLASS”.
THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION MODERNIZED ALL ASPECTS
OF LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY ESTBLISHED A GOV'T AGENCY,
THE BUREAU OF SCIENCE, FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF
NURTURING DEV'T IN THE FIELD OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
AFTER ACHIEVING INDEPENDENCE FROM THE COLONIZERS, THE PHILIPPINES, UNDER DIFF.
ADMINISTRATIONS, CONTINUED TO PURSUE PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY.
ONE OF THE PRESIDENTS WHO USHERED IN ADBANCEMENTS IN SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY
WAS FORMER PRESIDENT AND DICTATOR FERDIINAND MARCOS. UNDER HIS TERM, MANY
AGENCIES IN SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY WERE ESTABLISHED AND STRENGTHENED,
INCLUDING PAGASA IN PLACE OF ABOLISHED WEATHER BUREU; THE NAST; AND THE
RECONSTITUTED NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY (ORIGINALLY
ESTABLISHED IN 1958 AS THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD
AND NOW THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY), AMONG OTHERS.
THE PROGRESS IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CONTINUED EVEN AFTER HIS
DICTATORIAL RULE AND THE PRESIDENTS AFTER HIM LEFT THEIR OWN
LEGACIES IN THE FIELD.
SELF REFLECTION

1. HOW DID SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INFLUENCE YSOCIETY ?

Science influences society through its knowledge and world view. Scientific
knowledge and the procedures used by scientists influence the way many
individuals in society think about themselves, others, and the environment.
The effect of science on society is neither entirely beneficial nor entirely
detrimental. Technology influences society through its products and
processes. Technology influences the quality of life and the ways people act
and interact. Technological changes are often accompanied by social,
political, and economic changes that can be beneficial or detrimental to
individuals and to society. Social needs, attitudes, and values influence the
direction of technological development. Science and technology have
advanced through contributions of many different people, in different
cultures, at different times in history. Science and technology have
contributed enormously to economic growth and productivity among
societies and groups within societies. Science cannot answer all questions
and technology cannot solve all human problems or meet all human needs.
Students, like me, should understand the difference between scientific and
other questions. They should appreciate what science and technology can
reasonably contribute to society and what they cannot do. For example, new
technologies often will decrease some risks and increase others.