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;
 Appraise the impact of these policies on the development of the
Filipino nation; and
 Recognize the need for balance between freedom and responsible
behavior during the exchange of ideas.

Activating Prior Learning

Now, let us see what you know about the role of science and technology by
completing the concept map below. But before that, you may want to watch
the movie clips and read the short article listed below to get some ideas.
Happy watching and reading!

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,

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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.

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

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 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

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 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)

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 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)

(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.

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 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).
(Google image result for Famous Filipino Scientists or Inventors)

For more information, please go to the links provided below, then watch and
read the following:

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Watch: 1. Juan’s Top 5 Filipino Inventions at https://youtu.be/RU21nUiKaoc

Read: 1. The Philippine Men and Women of Science.

http://spheres.dost.gov.ph/manuscript/PMWS27.pdf
2. Philippine Great Inventions

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