Topic 3: Science and Technology and Nation Building

Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

 Explain the role of Science and Technology in Philippine nation building;

 List noteworthy inventions, with their inventors, and give their major contributions in
shaping the Filipino nation;

 Identify science and technology policies of the government; and

 Appraise the impact of these policies on the development of the Filipino nation.

From your readings and from the videos you watched, complete the diagram below by
enumerating the roles of science and technology in shaping the nation. Then, choose one from
your list and explain it to the class.

Role of S&T in
Nation Building

Good job! Let’s learn more as you go through this lesson.

 Presentation of Contents

Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Pre – Colonial Period

Even before the Spain colonized the country, some indigenous science and technology has
already existed with regards to agriculture like farming, animal – raising, and the utilization of
plants and herbs as medicines. The use of technology is evident in the in handicrafts, pottery,
weaving, and tools used by ancient Filipinos in their everyday life.

Innovation and ingenuity were unmistakable by the way native Filipinos built the rice terraces by
hand. They also developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, fishing, and also for fighting
enemies during tribal conflicts. They used indigenous technology in building houses, irrigations
and transportation, both on land and on waterways.

The ancient practices in science and technology by our ancestors are now considered as
indigenous science or folk science.

Colonial Period

Spanish colonization paved way to modern means of construction. Roads, bridges, churches, and
other large infrastructures were built with more sophistication using some engineering skills and
tools brought by the Spaniards. In addition, Spanish colonizers developed health and education
system in the country.

The American colonial rule modernized almost all aspects of life in the country. They
established the Bureau of Science to initiate the development in the field of science and
technology.
 https://r.search.yahoo.com/_-Manila:history www.triposo.com

Bureau of Science and Insular Laboratory (Image yahoo search result www.pinterest.com)

Post – Colonial Period

After achieving independence from the colonial masters, the Philippines, under different
administrations, continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each leadership had its
own S&T agenda. However, it is important to note that some Philippine presidents introduced
more developments in the field than others, which you will find out soon as you course through
this topic.
Filipino Presidents and their Contributions in the Development of Science and Technology
in the Philippines

Philippine Presidents and the Status of S&T during their administration

Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (1957 - 1961)

-lack of support of experimental work

-marginal budget for scientific research
-low salaries of scientists employed by the government
-established the National Science Development Board

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos (1965 - 1986)

-directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science

courses in public high schools
- channelled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences
and science education
- he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of
the Philippine Science Community
- scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and workshops on
fisheries and oceanography
- added the Philippine Coconut Research Institute to the NSDB to modernize the
coconut industry.
- support for the promotion of scientific research and invention with Presidential
Decree No. 49, s. 1972
- he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the
National Academy of Science and Technology
- He enacted a law on the completion of the National Agriculture and Life
Sciences Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños
(Executive Order No. 840, s. 1982)
- he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science
High School to encourage careers in science and technology
-established other research institutes like PAGASA, National Grains Authority,
Philippine Council for Agricultural Research, Philippine National Oil Company
among others

Pres. Corazon Aquino (1986 - 1992)

- National Science and Technology Authority was replaced by the Department of

Science and Technology
- science and technology's role in economic recovery and sustained economic
growth was highlighted
- created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came up
with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP
- Executive Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the
“Philippine Inventors Incentive Act.”
- gave assistance to Filipino inventors through giving financial aid, patent
application assistance, legal assistance, and to help inventors market their
products domestically and abroad
- R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to
free education up to the secondary level
- “Science for the Masses Program” which aimed at scientific and technological
literacy among Filipinos

Pres. Fidel V. Ramos (1992 - 1998)

-significant increase in personnel specializing in the science and

technology field
-addition of Philippine Science High Schools in Visayas and
Mindanao
- government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who were
taking up professions related to S&T
- Schools were becoming more modernized and updated with the addition of high-
tech equipment for student
- Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and
Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439) was established
- award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for people who
have been influential in the field of S&T (Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act
or Republic Act No. 7459)
- programs such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and
Technology
-enactment of a law creating a nationwide system of high schools specializing in
the field of science and engineering (Science and Technology Scholarship Law of
1994)
- enacted the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No.
8293)

Pres. Joseph Estrada (1998 - 2001)

- launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation technologies

- establishment of one science high school in every province
- advancement of industries and schools into the Internet age,
-passage of the e-Commerce Act

Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001 - 2010)

- the science and technology sector of the Philippines was dubbed as the "golden
age“ during her term
- Numerous laws and projects that concerns both the environment and science to
push technology as a tool to increase the country's economic level
- the term "Filipinnovation" was the coined term used in helping the Philippines
to be an innovation hub in Asia
- Science Technology and Innovations (STI) was developed further by
strengthening the schools and education system such as the Philippine Science
High School (PSHS), which focuses in science, technology and mathematics in
their curriculum
- imposes Republic Act 10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries
Sector through Mechanization (AFMech)

President Benigno S. Aquino III (2010 – 2016)

- Educational reform by shifting to K – 12 educational system

- Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards)
is created in response to the call of President Noynoy Aquino for a
more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and
mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines.
- Signed the E.O 2016 on May 20, 2016: Adopting the policy on ensuring
sustainable renewable energy resource management and mandating the
Department of Energy (DOE) to lead in its implementation
 President Rodrigo R. Duterte (2016 – present)

- Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN law was

signed in December 2017. It’s primarily a revenue-generating
measure to fund the administration’s infrastructure program, health,
education, and social services programs.

- Signed the Balik Scientist Law (R.A. 11035) on 15 June 2018 that would give
more incentives to returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors, and engineers
who would share their expertise in the country.
- Increased the budget of DOST yearly strengthening the S&T capability of the
country
- Signed the Philippine Space Act in August 8, 2019 creating the Philippine
Space Agency (PhilSA)
- The current administration supports the Philippine Space Program, which
launched space satellites Diwata – 1 and Diwata – 2 in 2016 and 2018,
respectively
- Moves ‘Science and Technology Week’ to November to ensure maximum
participation of schools, stakeholders and the public considering the change in
the academic calendar of most educational institutions
- Republic Act (RA) No. 11293 otherwise known as the “Philippine Innovation
Act” was signed by President Duterte on April 17, 2019 in order to foster
innovation in the country as a vital component of national development and
sustainable economic growth.
(Images from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_Philippines)

Filipino Scientists and their Inventions

Here is a list of some Filipino scientists and inventors, together with their contributions in
shaping the science and technology of the Filipino nation.

Dr. Arturo Alcaraz

Dr. Arturo Alcaraz is a volcanologist specializing in geothermal

energy development. In 1967, Arturo Alcaraz and team powered an
electric light bulb using steam-powered electricity. This was the first
geothermal power generated in the Philippines.

Julian Banzon (1908 - 1988)

Filipino chemist, Julian Banzon researched methods of producing
alternative fuels. Julian Banzon experimented with the production
of ethyl esters fuels from sugarcane and coconut.
Pedro Escuro (1923 - )

Filipino scientist, Pedro Escuro is best known for his isolation of

nine rice varieties, thus was renowned by developing rice breeding
in the country. The Pedro Escuro rice varieties are: Milpal 4,
HBD-2, Azmil 26 and C-22 and C-18, C4-63, C4-137, C-168 and
C-12.
Dr. Francisco Fronda (1896 - 1986)

Dr. Francisco Fronda is known as the Father of poultry science in

the Philippines. Francisco Fronda has improved methods of
production for the poultry and livestock industry.

Felix Maramba

Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-fueled power generator. He

also is the developer of one of the world's most profitable biogas
systems.

Luz Oliveros Belardo (1906 - 1999)

Filipino chemist, Luz Oliveros Belardo researched the

phytochemical properties of plants in the Philippines for natural
products, essential oils, and the medicinal qualities.

Emerita De Guzman

Filipino scientist Emerita De Guzman researched the propagation

of pure macapuno trees. Her research led to the faster propagation
of pure macapuno trees and increased macapuno nut production
from 3-5 macapuno nuts to 14-19 nuts (1980). She also invented
tissue culture techniques for the rapid propagation of abaca and
banana plants.
Dr. Fe Del Mundo (1911 - 2011)

Filipino doctor, Fe Del Mundo is credited with studies that lead to

the invention of an improved incubator and a jaundice relieving
device

Gregorio Zara (1902 - 1978)

Famous Filipino Scientist, Gregorio Zara invented, made

improvements to, or discovered the following: invented the two-
way television telephone or videophone (1955) patented as a
"photo phone signal separator network"; discovered the physical
law of electrical kinetic resistance called the Zara effect (around
1930); invented an airplane engine that ran on plain alcohol as fuel (1952).