Group 1 - The Philippine Government Science & Technology Agenda

A. Introduction of the Topic (Yvette)

The need to develop a country's science and technology has generally been recognized as one of the
imperatives of socioeconomic progress in the contemporary world. This has become a widespread
concern of governments especially since the post-world war II years. Among Third World countries, an
important dimension of this concern is the problem of dependence in science and technology as this is
closely tied up with the integrity of their political sovereignty and economic self-reliance.

The Department of Science and Technology in the Philippines is a government agency tasked with
overseeing and managing national technology development and acquisition, undertaking technological
and scientific research and promoting public consciousness of science and technology.

DST is responsible for formulating and adopting a comprehensive National Science and Technology Plan
for the Philippines, and to subsequently monitor and coordinate its funding and implementation.

The DST undertakes policy research, technology assessment, feasibility and technical studies and
maintains a national information system and databank on science and technology.

HISTORY

1. Pre-Spanish Period (Kier)

Before the colonization by the Spaniards in the Philippine islands, the natives of the archipelago already
had practices linked to science and technology. Filipinos were already aware of the medicinal and
therapeutic properties of plants and the methods of extracting medicine from herbs. The Banaue Rice
Terraces are among the sophisticated products of engineering by pre-Spanish era Filipinos

2. Spanish colonial period (Kier)

The colonization of the Philippines contributed to growth of science and technology in the archipelago.
The Spanish introduced formal education and founded scientific institution. During the early years of
Spanish rule in the Philippines.

Parish schools were established where religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and music was taught.
Sanitation and more advanced methods of agriculture was taught to the natives.

3. American Period and Post-Commonwealth era (Liezee)

The progress of science and technology in the Philippines continued under American rule of the islands.
On July 1, 1901 The Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories which
was placed under the Department of Interior. The Bureau replaced the Laboratorio Municipal, which
was established under the Spanish colonial era.

The Bureau dealt with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. On October 26, 1905, the
Bureau of Government Laboratories was replaced by the Bureau of Science and on December 8, 1933,
the National Research Council of the Philippines was established.The Bureau of Science became the
primary research center of the Philippines until World War II.

4. Marcos Era and Martial Law (Liezee)

During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, the importance given to science grew.In the amended 1973
Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 9 , he declared that the "advancement of science and
technology shall have priority in the national development." In his two terms of presidency and during
Martial Law, he enacted many laws promoting science and technology.

B. SCIENTIST AS ADVOCATES (BJ)

Scientists and technologists are essential in a developing world. They are one of the key players in a
country's quest for industrialization. They are the lifeblood of research, innovation and have important
roles in the industry and the manufacturing sector. Together with their roles in nation-building,
scientists, too, have a responsibility to advocate for the betterment of S&T in their countries.

For the Philippines, in order to halt the vicious cycle of technological backwardness and poverty, it is
important that scientists and technologists themselves be aware of the sad plight of S&T in the country
and to advocate for its improvement.

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENDA

C. Innovation Culture (Maui)

What recent success we have with the saltwater lamp, the salamander tricycle and the Diwata 1
microsatellite is a good start but only indicates that we have a long way to go before we create an
innovation culture. Innovation can only happen with enough scientists and technologists to develop an
“innovation ecosystem.”

 Saltwater Lamp
 Salammander Trycicle
 Diwata Microsatellite

D. ASEAN Integration requires competitive technology (Maui)

Science and technology help us understand nature and the world, and enables us to lead full lives
through new and innovative means. It therefore requires that we as Filipinos, expand our science and
technology base to enable us to compete in an integrated ASEAN.
 Two major approaches

E. Stronger Research and Development in the regions, not just Manila (Lugie)

Expand research and development initiatives by providing more grant support for R and D through the
DOSTs sectoral planning councils such as PCIERD, PCAARD and ASTI in cooperation with universities in
the regions. The science initiative must be distributed to the regions especially those where food
production needs to be improved, industry needs to grow and where innovation needs to be developed.
This is critical in light of climate change and expensive electricity and the need to disperse industry and
economic activities.

F. Strategic projects in five areas: (Lugie)

Renewable energy- we need new technologies to enable high electricity yields in limited space with less
dependence on natural resources to enable us to meet our COP 21 commitments, while lowering the
price of electricity.

S and T for industry development- we need stronger participation of our scientists and engineers if we
want to revitalize our basic industries such as the steel industry.

Faster and cheaper internet – we have Asia’s slowest internet, yet our archipelago needs it bridge gaps
and build networks.

Increased food production- given limited lands, technology is needed to expand yields while increasing
quality of output and being less dependent on foreign inputs like fertilizers.

Climate change adaptation- We need cutting edge technology to enable our farmers to adapt to
changing climates and the need to do away with technologies that destroy the capacity for good
healthful yields.

Enabling mechanisms and specifics:

G. More Research grants through the DOST and its sectoral planning councils and institutes (Yvette)

H. Strengthen the Balik Scientist Program and retention program for current young scientists- our young
scientists must be engaged through actual research projects. Many of our scientists and engineers are
OFWs who support our candidacy. We need their help to uplift our country’s technology and we hope
they come back. (Kier)

I. S and T cooperation within ASEAN- especially on the space program and climate change adaptation.
(Liezee)
J. Cooperation between industry and the science community by involving them in the sectoral planning
councils. DOSTs programs for SMEs (Such as SET-UP) needs to be replicated further. (Maui)