RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

MODULE NO.2

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

Topics to be delivered in the module:

1. Brief historical background of S&T in the Philippines;
2. Government Policies on S&T;
3. DOST mandates and projects; and
4. Famous Filipinos in the field of science.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the role of science and technology in the Philippine nation-building;

2. Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms
of their contributions to nation-building; and
3. Identify actual science and technology policies of the government and
appraise their impact on the development of the Filipino nation.

Overview

This lesson will discuss the influence of science and technology in the
development of the Philippine society. It will identify government programs, projects
and policies geared toward boasting the science and technological capacity of the
country. This lesson will also include discussions on Philippine indigenous science and
technology.

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

Topic Presentation

Brief Historical Background of S&T in the Philippines

The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back the
country gained its independence from the American Colonizers. Before the coming of
the Spanish colonizers, the early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture
and traditions. They had their own belief system and indigenous knowledge system
that keeps them organized and sustained their lives and communities for many years.

Pre-Spanish Period (Indigenous Science)

➢ Scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that provide
them food, in taking care of animals to help them in their daily task.
➢ Science is observed in the way they interpret the movements of heavenly
bodies to predict seasons and climates, and organizing days into months and
years.
➢ They use science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes and discovered
the medicinal uses of plants.
➢ Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing
tools (planting, hunting, cooking, fishing and fighting the enemies),
transportation for land and water and musical instruments.
➢ Trading with China, Indonesia and Japan and other nearby countries have
influenced their lives by providing different opportunities for cultural and
technological developments.

Spanish Period
➢ Spanish brought us with them their own culture and practices.
➢ They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of
subjects and discipline which also show the beginning of formal science and
technology in the country.
➢ Learning of science in school focuses on understanding different concepts
related to human body, plants, animals and heavenly bodies.
➢ Technology focuses on using and developing tools used in everyday life.
➢ The Galleon Trade has brought additional technology and development in the
Philippines. Though it is only beneficial to Spaniards, these trades allowed
other ideas, crops, tools, cultural practices, technology and Western practices
to reach the country.

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

➢ Although the country is blessed with these developments, the superstitious

beliefs of the people and the Catholic doctrines and practices during Spanish
era halted the growth of science in the country.

American Period
➢ Have more influence in the development of science and technology in the
Philippines.
➢ They established public education system, improved the engineering
works and the health conditions of the people.
➢ Established modern research university (University of the Philippines) and
created more public hospitals.
➢ The mineral resources were explored and exploited.
➢ Transportations and communication systems were improved.
➢ Reorganized the learning of science and introduced it in public and private
schools.
➢ In basic education, science education focuses on nature studies and
sanitation until it became a formal subject known as “Science”.
➢ The Protestant church missions in different places in the country also
brought hospitals and schools in far-flung areas.
However, World War II has destabilized the development of the country.
Institutions and facilities were turned into ashes. The country had a difficult time to
rebuild itself from the ruins of the war.

The development of S&T in the Philippines is shaped by several factors and

influences.

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

Government Policies on Science and Technology

The Philippine government introduced and implemented several programs,
projects, and policies to boost the area of science and technology. The goal is to
prepare the whole country and its people to meet the demands of a technologically
driven world and capacitate the people live in a world driven by science.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 2067 (Science Act of 1958)

An act to integrate, coordinate, and intensify scientific and technological research

and development and to foster invention; to provide funds therefor; and for other
purposes.

Section 3. In the implementation of the foregoing policy, the Government shall, in

accordance with the provisions of this Act:

(1) Stimulate and guide scientific, engineering and technological efforts

towards filling the basic and immediate needs of the people;

(2) Survey the scientific, engineering and technological resources of the

country and formulate a comprehensive program for the development and
maximum utilization of such resources in the solution of the country's problems;

(3) Strengthen the educational system of the country so that the same will
provide a steady source of competent scientific and technological manpower;

(4) Furnish incentives to private and individual initiative in scientific work, as a

fundamental basis for the advancement of science;

(5) Promote and encourage the dissemination of the results of scientific and
technological research and the general application thereof;

(6) Encourage and facilitate the active participation of domestic and foreign
sectors in furnishing financial, technical and other forms of assistance for
scientific and technological activities;

(7) Promote coordination and cooperation in research in order to secure

concentration of effort, minimize duplication and thereby achieve maximum
progress;

(8) Initiate and bring about the establishment of standards, quality control
measures and documentation facilities; and

(9) Encourage studies in the pure and fundamental sciences.

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

is the premiere science and technology body in the
country charged with the twin mandate of providing
central direction, leadership and coordination of all
scientific and technological activities, and of formulating
policies, programs and projects to support national
development.

DOST Science for Change Program

The Science for Change Program (S4CP) was created to accelerate STI in the
country in order to keep up with the developments in our time wherein technology
and innovation are game changers. Through the Science for Change Program
(S4CP), the DOST can significantly accelerate STI in the country and create a
massive increase in investment on S&T Human Resource Development and R&D.
S4CP focuses on Accelerated R&D Program for Capacity Building of R&D
Institutions and Industrial Competitiveness which is composed of four (4) programs
namely:

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Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

Projects Under DOST Councils

Council Research and Development Areas Period Number

National Research Council of the
Philippines (NRCP)
Veterinary Medicine, Earth and Space Sciences, Humanities,
Chemical Sciences, Physics, Social Sciences, Engineering &
Industrial Research, Agriculture and Forestry, Biological
2010-2013 55
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Sciences,
Mathematical Sciences, Governmental, Educational and
International Policies

Global Competitiveness, Agricultural Land Use and Agrarian

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Reform, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation, Natural
Aquatic and Natural Resources Research Resources Sustainability and Environment Fertility, Agricultural 2003-2013 455
and Development (PCAARRD) Inputs and Support Services, Crops, Livestock, Forestry and
Environment and Agricultural Resources Management

Drug discovery and Development , Diagnostics , Genomics and

Philippine Council for Health Research Molecular Technology , Functional Foods , Functional Foods,
2005-2013 187
and Development (PCHRD) Information and Communications Technology for Health,
Chronobiology

Industry ( Food S&T Program, Electronics), Energy( Bio-

fuels/Alternative Fuels, Renewable Energy,Energy Efficiency and
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy Conservation), Emerging Technologies (Biotechnology
and Emerging Technology Research and Applications, Genomics, New Materials/Nanotechnology, 2003-2013 571
Development (PCIEERD) Information and Communications Technology) and Special
Areas (Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster and Hazard
Mitigation, Environment)

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Projects Under DOST Research and Development Institutes (RDIs)

Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science

These Filipino scientists are:
1. Ramon Cabanos Barba- for his outstanding research on tissue culture in
Philippines mangoes.
2. Josefino Cacas Comiso- for his works on observing the characteristics of
Antartica by using satellite images
3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr.- known intentionally in the field of electrical engineering;
was elected as an officer of the famous Institute of electrical and Electronic
Engineering
4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz- notable for her research on sea venom.
5. Fabian Millar Dayrit- for his research on herbal medicine.
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III- for his research on tilapia culture.
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. – for inventing the meconium drugs testing.

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8. Lilian Formalejo Patena- for doing research on plant biotechnology.

9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz- for being an outstanding educator and graph
theorist.
10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan- for his research in the field of communications
technology.
There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad
for their outstanding contributions to science:
1. Caesar A. Saloma - an internationally renowned physicist
2. Edgardo Gomez - famous scientist in marine science
3. William Padolina - Chemistry and president of national academy of
Science and Technology (NAST)- Philippines
4. Angel Alcala - marine science

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 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Cities of Mandaluyong and Pasig

Additional Knowledge

Further Reading
https://asean.org/our-communities/economic-community/asean-science-technology-
and-innovation

Guided Exercises / Learning Activities

Activity 2

Identify 10 Filipino scientists/inventors and their contributions to our society.

References

Serafica, JP. J. (2018) et.al. Science Technology and Society. Rex Book Store
https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1958/ra_2067_1958.html
https://www.dost.gov.ph/9-programs-and-projects.html

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