SHEPHERDVILLE COLLEGE

Talojongon, Tigaon, Camarines Sur

Philippines

Module in Science, Technology and Society

Topic: Science and Technology and Nation-Building
Competency #2

Prepared by:

AL C. DELLOVA, LPT

1
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
a. discuss the role of science and technology in the Philippine nation-building;
b. evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms of
their contributions to nation-building; and
c. identify actual science and technology policies of government and appraise
their impact on the development of the Filipino nation.

II. MOTIVATION
“Science and technology are going to be the basis for many of the solutions to social
problems.” Frances Arnold

Do you agree or disagree to this quote? Why?

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

 Definition of Key Words

 Nation-building – the creation or development of nation.

 Policy-method of action based from a given conditions to guide and determine
present and future decisions.
 Colonization- an act or instance of colonizing
 Indigenous Science- science knowledge of long-resident usually oral culture
people.
 Innovation - a new idea, method or device.

2
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
IV. CONTENT
Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Internal Influences
Survival
Culture
Economic Activities
Development of
Science and
Technology in
the Philippines
External Influences
Foreign Colonizers
Trade with Foreign Countries
International Economic Demand

Figure1. Influences in the Development of Science and Technology in the Philippines

The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back before the
country gained its independence from American colonizers.
 Science in Pre-Spanish Philippines. They use science in preparing agricultural
purposes and like other cultures they discovered medicinal plants. Technology is
used in building houses, irrigation, and developing tools they used in everyday
life. All these ancient practices in science and technology are considered now as
indigenous science or folk science.

 Science During Spanish Colonization. They brought with them their own
culture and beliefs. They established schools and introduced the concepts of
subjects and disciplines. It was the beginning of formal science and technology in
the country, known as school of science and technology. School focused on
understanding of the concepts related to human body, plants, animals, and
heavenly bodies. The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology of
Spaniards using indigenous materials. Medicine and advance sciences were
introduced in formal colleges and universities. The galleon trade has brought
additional technology in the Philippines.

 Science During American Colonization. Americans have more influence in the

development of science and technology in the Philippines compared to
3
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
 Spaniards. They established public education system, improved engineering
works and health conditions of the people. They established a modern research
university, the University of the Philippines, and created more hospitals. Mineral
resources also explored and exploited. Transportation and communication
system were improved. Science education focused on nature studies and
sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as “Science”.

 Science During World War II. Institutions and public facilities were turned into
ashes, houses were burnt, and many lives were destroyed. The reparation funds
focussed on rebuilding of the damages brought about by the war, like schools,
hospitals, and transportation system. The whole nation has been focusing on
using its limited resources in improving the science and technology capability. It
has explored the use of ODA or Overseas Development Allocations from
different countries to help the country improve its science and technological
capability. It focused on producing more engineers, scientist, technology experts
doctors, and other professionals in the country.

SQA #1: What are the significant contributions of the Spaniards and
Americans to the development of science and technology in the
Philippines? (2 points)

Government Policies on Science and Technology

The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) recommended
policies and programs that will improve the competitiveness of the Philippines in the
ASEAN Region.
The NCRP clustered these policies into four, namely:
1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies and
Governance.
 Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without
adding to the curriculum
 Emphasizing teaching in mother tongue.
 Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT
broadband
 Local food security
2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research , Earth and Space
Sciences, and Mathematics.
 Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment
opportunities

4
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
  Outright grants for peer monitoring
 Review R.A. 9184
 Harnessing science and technology as an independent
mover of development
3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
 Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with
ASEAN-harmonized standards by full implementation of the
Food and Drug Administration
 Creating an education council dedicated to standardization
of pharmaceutical services and care
 Empowering drug and food agencies to conduct evidence-
based research as pool of information
 Allocating two per cent of GDP to research
 Legislating law supporting human genome projects
4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry
 Protecting and conserving biodiversity by the full
implementation of existing laws
 Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries
 Promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous
people’s conservation
 Formulation of common food and safety standards
There are also other existing programs supported by Philippine Government through the
DOST. Some of these projects are as follows:
 Providing funds for basic research and patents related to
science and technology.
 Providing scholarships for undergraduate studies of students
in the field of science and technology.
 Establishing more branches of the Philippine Science High
School System for training young Filipino in the field of
science and technology.
 Creating science and technology parks to encourage
academe and industry partnerships.
 Balik Scientists Program
 Developing science and technology parks in academe
campuses to encourage academe and industry partnership.
 The establishment of the National Science Complex and
National Engineering Complex within UP Diliman Campus.

5
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
The Philippine- American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE, 2008)
identified several capacity-building programs such as:
 Establishment of national center of excellence
 Manpower and institutional development programs, such as
Science Education Program (ESEP) to produce more Phd
graduates in science and engineering.
 Establishment of regional centers to support specific
industries that will lead the country in different research and
development areas
 Establishment of science and technology business centers
to assist, advise, and incubate technopreneurship ventures.
 Strengthen science education at the early age through the
Philippine Science High School system

SQA #2: What’s the major role of DOST in the

development of Science and Technology in our country?
(2 points)
There are many other areas and fields that the country is looking forward to
embark various research and projects. The following are some of them:
 Use of alternative and safe energy
 Harnessing mineral resources
 Finding cure for various diseases and illness
 Climate change and global warming
 Increasing food production
 Preservation of natural resources
 Coping with natural disasters and calamities
 Infrastructure development

Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science

1. Ramon Cabanos Barba- for his outstanding research on tissue culture in
Philippine mango.
2. Josefino Cacas Comiso- for his works on observing the characteristics of
Antartica by using satellite images.
3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr.-known internationally in the field of electrical engineering;
was elected as officer of the famous Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineering.
4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz- notable for her research on the sea snail venom.
6
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
 5. Fabian Millar Dayrit- for his research in herbal medicine.
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III- for his research on tilapia culture.
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr.- for inventing the meconium drug testing.
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.
Outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad:
 Caesar A. Saloma – an internationally renowned physicist.
 Edgardo Gomez – famous scientist in marine science.
 William Padolina – chemist and president of National Academy of Science and
Technology (NAST)- Philippines.
 Angel Alcala – marine science.
SQA #3: What do you think is the most important thing that our
scientist should be given focus on? (2 points)
SQA #4: If you were a scientist, what scientific contribution would you
want to share to our country? (2 points)

V. SUMMARY

 This lesson discussed the influence of science and technology in the

development of the Philippines as a country.
 Pre-Spanish colonization Filipinos had already practiced science. They
invented tools, built structures, studied the medicinal uses of plants,
observed heavenly bodies to predict seasons and weather, and used
indigenous science in agriculture.
 Spain and United States played important role in building the foundation of
science in the Philippines.
 To further strengthen the science program in the Philippines, the
government established various science programs, policies and projects.
 Through the years, many Filipinos were able to establish themselves as
scientists and science educators in various scientific areas and fields.

 References

 Serafica, J.P. (2018). Science Technology, and Society. 1st ed. REX

7
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
  Lee-Chua, Q. (2000). 10 Outstanding Filipino Scientists. Quezon City:
Advil Publishing
 Padilla-Concepcion, G. (2015). Science Philippines: Essay on Science by
Filipinos Volume III. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press
VI. ASSESMENT

NAME: ______________________ COURSE/YEAR: __________ SCORE: ________

COMPETENCY #2: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Direction. Answer the following questions:

1. Describe the development of science in the Philippines during the following

periods: (3 POINTS EACH)

a. Pre-Spanish

b. Spanish Colonization

c. American Colonization

2. Identify one issue in the Philippines. What science and technology related policies
could be developed and implemented to solve this issue? (3 POINTS)

3. What can you say about the implementation of some science and technology
policies and projects in the country? (3 POINTS)

4. What are the laws related to science and technology in the Philippines from the
year 2000? (2 POINTS)

8
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
 5. How can science and technology play important part in this pandemic time? (3
POINTS)
REFLECTIVE LEARNING QUESTIONS:

NAME: ______________________ COURSE/YEAR: __________ SCORE: ________

INSTRUCTOR: AL C. DELLOVA DATE: ____________________

COMPETENCY #2: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND NATION-BUILDING

SQA Answer Sheet (10 points)
SQA #1: What are the significant contributions of the Spaniards and Americans to the
development of science and technology in the Philippines? (2 points)

SQA #2: What’s the major role of DOST in the development of Science and Technology
in our country? (2 points)

SQA #3: What do you think is the most important thing that our scientist should be given
focus? (2 points)

SQA #4: If you were a scientist, what scientific contribution would you want to share to
our country? (2 points)

9
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College
 10
Science Technology and Society/Shepherdville College