GE 7 MODULE 1 UNIT 4

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING

Intended Learning Outcomes
1. This section situates STS in the context of the Philippine
nation building. It initially surveys contributions of Filipino
scientists to science and technology. It then traces the
historical development and impact of science and technology
on the various segments of Philippine society.
2. These discussions are geared toward engaging students in a
critical analysis of science and technology as a tool for nation
building.
 Pre-colonial Times
 Science and technology in the
Philippines had its beginnings during
the pre-colonial times.
 People used herbal medicine to treat
illnesses.
 Filipinos used writing, numerical
treatment, measurement, and calendar
systems to facilitate trading.
 Farming, fishing, mining, and
weaving was developed by Filipinos
during this period ( the Banaue Rice
Terraces was built during this period)
Spanish Colonial Period
 Science and technology was developed through the
establishment of formal education institutions and
the launching of scientific organizations.
 Schools were mandated to teach religion, reading
and writing, music and arts, and health and
sanitation.
 Medicine and biology were taught in different
educational and training institutions.
 The natives were trained to use innovative approach
in farming; engineering was also introduced for
constructing buildings, churches, bridges, roads, and
forts.
 Rapid development of scientific principles
influenced by Western culture during the Spanish
colonial period was short-changed.
 Trade was more prioritized compared to agriculture
and industrial development because its potential to
gain large profits.
 American Period
 The former Laboratorio Municipal was
replaced by the Bureau of Government
Laboratories under the Department of Interior
 The Bureau was established for the purpose of
studying tropical diseases and other related
research projects
 In 1905, the Bureau was changed to
the Bureau of Science, which became the
main research center of the Philippines
 In 1933, the National Research Council of the
Philippines was established
 focused on agriculture, medicine and
pharmacy, food processing and forestry
 In 1946 the Bureau of Science was substituted
by the Institute of Science
 Ferdinand Marcos
 During the time of the former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos, the role of science and
technology in national development was
emphasized.
 Mandated the Department of Education and
Culture, now known as the Department of
Education (DepEd), to promote science
courses in public high schools.
 Additional budget for research projects in
applied sciences and science was granted.
 In 1968, Taguig was proclaimed as the
Philippine Science Community, now the site
of Department of Science and Technology.
 The Philippine Coconut Institute
(PHILCORIN) was tasked to promote
modernization of the coconut industry.
 Several institutions were also established. The following were:
 Philippine Coconut Research
 Philippine Textile Research Institute
 Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (known today as Philippine Nuclear
Research Institute
 National Grains Authority (known today as National Food Authority)
 Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (known today as Philippine Council
for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD))
 Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA)
 Philippine National Oil Company
 Plant Breeding Institute
 International Rice Research Institute
 Bureau of Plant Industry
 Bureau of Forest Products
 National Committee on Geological Sciences
 National Science Development Board, and National Science and Technology
Authority
 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)
 Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School were built
and operated.
 Corazon Aquino
 In 1986, President Corazon Aquino
replaced the National Science and
Technology Authority to the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) for
S&T to be represented in the cabinet
 S&T to have part on sustainable economic
recovery and growth c
 Created S&T Master Plan aimed to update
the production sector, improve research
activities, and develop infrastructure used
for S&T.
 The R&D Plan determined research areas
of priority based on local materials,
likelihood of success, potential of product
to be exported, and its tactical nature.
 Fidel V. Ramos
 In 1998, during the presidency of Fidel V.
Ramos, the Philippines had approximately
3,000 competent scientists and engineers.
 The "Doctors to the Barrio Program”
brought an improvement of life expectancy
from 67.5 years to 69.1 years between 1992
to 1995.
 Incentives were given to people who played
significant role in S&T.
 National Program for Gifted Filipino
Children in S&T
 Republic Act (RA) No. 8439: Magna Carta
for S&T Personnel; RA No. 7687: S&T
Scholarship Law of 1994; RA No. 7459:
Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act;
and RA No. 8293: The Intellectual Property
Code of the Philippines.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada
 RA No. 8749: The Philippine Clean Air
Act of 1999 and RA No. 8792: Electronic
Commerce Act of 2000 were both signed
and mandated during the term of
President Joseph E. Estrada
 He was also responsible in implementing
cost-effective irrigation technologies,
distribution of basic health care, nutrition,
and education for those who were willing
but could not afford.
 He also laid down a 15-year
modernization program of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines.
 Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo
 During the administration of Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo, Science, Technology and Innovations
(STI) was developed to strengthen the
educational system and to help the poor.
 "Filipinnovation" was coined that aimed to make
the Philippines an innovation hub in Asia.
 RA No. 9367: "Biofuels" Act to utilize
indigenous materials as source of energy while
having cleaner emissions
 use drought-free rice, rice that can withstand
environmental hazards
 RA No. 10601: Agriculture and Fisheries Sector
through Mechanization (AFMech) was also
passed that aimed to modernize agricultural and
fisheries machinery and equipment
 Benigno Aquino III

 In 2014, President Benigno Aquino, Jr.

conferred new National Scientists:
 Gavino C. Trono, who studied seaweed species
Gavino C. Trono Angel C. Alcala  Angel C. Alcala, who pioneered on coral reefs
 Ramon C. Barba, who changed the seasonal
supply of mangoes
 Edgardo D. Gomez, who spearheaded the
assessment of damaged coral reefs and their
conservation

Ramon C. Barba Edgardo D. Gomez

 Rodrigo Duterte
 S&T budget for R&D grew by nearly six times
over the same period of time
 Formulation of programs and policies that will aid
in shaping the country
 “Science for the People”
 DOST to help transfer technology and to put R&D
results into commercialization gaining 1,000 new
intellectual properties in only a year
 Philippine Space Technology Program launching
Diwata-2 in 2018, after the launching of Diwata-1
that put our flag in space. Philippine’s 1st satellite: Diwata-1
 S&T on agriculture and disaster preparedness
 Science and Technology in the Philippines
and the Environment
S&T has brought about numerous contributions the
society. This is especially true in the agricultural
sector and food production. These include:
 Mechanization of Farming
 Tools such as pumps and sprinklers help in
managing the damaging effects of heat brought
about by the changing climate patterns
 Genetically Modified Crops
 Grow faster and are resistant to pests
 Fertilizers
 Increase nutrients in the soil; enhances growth and
yield of crops
 Science and Technology in the Philippines
and the Environment
However, these technologies may also affect the
environment negatively. For example:
 Resource depletion
 Increasing wastes generated and emitted as these
technologies are manufactured, and eventually when
the products are disposed
 S&T has also increased our population.
 Advanced birth control methods may help balance
population and the resources but only in developed
countries.
 In developing countries, there is no control on birth
rate, mortality rate is high, resources like food are
scarce and health and sanitation are also poor.