HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE

AND TECHNOLOGY​ (Week 3-4 Part 2)

Science, Technology and Society 2nd Semester SY 2022-2023
Sci. & Tech. in the Philippines

Learning ❑ To trace the history of

Objective S&T in the Philippines
(the economic, political and social
events shaping their
developments)
The Early Years
(Spanish Period, 1869-1898)

Opening of Suez Canal in

1869 shortened the route
from the Philippines to
Europe

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Spanish Period, 1869-1898)

Filipino scientists were mostly interested on

animal and plant systems
⮚ Fr. Ignacio Mercado, Dr. Trinidad Pardo
de Tavera, and Dr Leon Ma. Guerrero in
Botany
⮚ Anacleto del Rosario in Chemistry
⮚ Dr. Manuel Guerrero, Dr. Jose Montes,
and Dr. Elrodario Mercado in Medicine
Galleon trade was the chief economic activity
⮚ Spanish officials focused more on the
trade due to big profits

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)

• The Schurman Commission recommended the replacement of military government with

a civil government and establishment of free public educational system in the country
• The Taft Commission started the gradual Filipinization of the government and
encouraged education in preparation for self-government

• Philippine public school system was established in 1901

⮚ 765 Thomasites were recruited

• Insular Bureau of Agriculture and Bureau of Government Laboratories* were

established
⮚ Authored by Dean Worcester, a zoology professor at the University of Michigan and a
strong advocate of science
⮚ Conducted biological, chemical, and other scientific studies

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)

The Philippine Commission expanded and included Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, a
Filipino
The Bureau of Government Laboratories was reorganized into the Bureau of Science
in 1905
⮚ Enabled it to undertake research in all fields of science
⮚ Many notable American scientists were recruited
⮚ Quality research works were produced necessitating the creation of the
Philippine Journal of Science in 1906
In 1906, the Bureau of Science was made the custodian of the International Standards
of Weights and Measurements in the country

The University of the Philippines was established in 1908, followed by the College of
Agriculture in Los Banos

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)

• Jones Law (The Philippine Autonomy Act) replaced the Philippine

Commission with the House of Representatives, wholly composed of Filipinos
⮚ Downtrend of the Bureau of Science began (transferred to the Department of
Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR)
⮚ Shift of emphasis from health and sanitation to the study of the country’s natural
resources
⮚ Growth of science slowed down (decrease number of articles in PJS and poor quality)
• Bureau of Science had new functions
⮚ Regulation, analysis, and branding of commercial fertilizer
⮚ Control, checking, advertising, labeling or branding of any business and
commercial commodities
• The world recession in the 1930s caused further losses to the bureau, which
resulted to retrenchment, loss of several divisions, reduced budget, and brain
drain

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(American Occupation, 1898-1941)

• Jones Law (The Philippine Autonomy Act) replaced the Philippine

Commission with the House of Representatives, wholly composed of Filipinos
⮚ Downtrend of the Bureau of Science began (transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Natural
Resources (DANR)
⮚ Shift of emphasis from health and sanitation to the study of the country’s natural resources
⮚ Growth of science slowed down (decrease number of articles in PJS and poor quality)
• Bureau of Science had new functions
⮚ Regulation, analysis, and branding of commercial fertilizer
⮚ Control, checking, advertising, labeling or branding of any business and commercial
commodities
• The world recession in the 1930s caused further losses to the bureau, which
resulted to retrenchment, loss of several divisions, reduced budget, and brain
drain
• In 1933-1934, a general reorganization took place
⮚ DANR became the Department of Agriculture and Commerce
⮚ Bureau of Agriculture was split into the Bureau of Plants and the Bureau of Animal Industry
⮚ The Division of Mineral Resources was converted into the Bureau of Mines
⮚ The Bureau of Science lost some of its divisions
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Bureau of Science

• Main thrust during the early years was on public health and nutrition
⮚ Due to outbreak of cholera, small pox, dysentery, malaria, TB, and leprosy
before 1900
⮚ Also did research on uses of agricultural products
• medicinal plants by Edwardo Quisumbing
• isolation and elucidation of natural products by Alfredo Santos
• essential oils used as food flavors and fragrances by Luz Olivares Belardo
• coconut as renewable source of fuel by Julius Banzon

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The College of Agriculture

• Focused efforts on improving the breed of

basic crops, livestock and poultry
⮚ Varietal introduction, evaluation and inheritance in rice,
corn, sugar cane, coconut, abaca, and tobacco
⮚ Improving the breed, feed ration, and the quality of meat
and eggs (Dr. Francisco Fronda, Father of the Poultry
Industry in the Philippines, wrote 500 scientific articles
during his lifetime)

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(The War Years, 1941-1945)
• Manuel L. Quezon was the president when the war between Japan and the US
broke out in 1941
⮚ Very poor economy confronted the Commonwealth and later the Republic
⮚ Unproductive period in the research life of the Bureau of Science (fear of death
and threat of hunger prevailed)
⮚ A few national scientists directed their efforts to food processing
• toyo and vinegar were produced
• coconut was converted into coco jam and cooking oil
• Manuel Roxas became the first president of the Republic
⮚ Laid down his policies to rebuild the economy (industrialization, people
participation in the government, closer cooperation with the US, and the
restoration of peace and justice)
⮚ Bell Trade Relations Act provided for free trade relations between the
Philippines and the US until 1954
⮚ This gives the Americans the right to dispose of, exploit, develop, and utilize all
agricultural, timber, and mineral lands of the country
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Early Years
(Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Period, 1945-1948)
• Bureau of Science was converted to the Institute of Science and placed under the office
of the President
⮚ Coordinated and redirected all scientific efforts toward industrialization
• Filipino scientists directed their efforts toward the solution of the country’s problems and
needs (big shortage of food and fuel, public health was poor)
⮚ Conversion of coconut oil into ethyl alcohol
⮚ fermentation of cassava
⮚ indigenous raw materials and recycled food were used as animal feed, etc.
• The gradual Filipinization of the government resulted in several negative effects on the
development of science in the country
⮚ Reorganization led to loss of records (no clear understanding of the roles and
functions of different offices)
⮚ There was rampant graft, corruption and inefficiency of the government due to
unqualified officials
⮚ The budget for the Bureau of Science for its research and other scientific activities
was at the mercy of its department secretary (operating with a low budget led to the
bureau soliciting foreign aid through scientific projects)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Quirino Administration, 1948-1953)

• President Elpidio Quirino desperately sought the help of the US

⮚ President Truman proposed an economic survey mission – the Bell
Mission
($250M-aid from the US)
⮚ Institute of Science was renamed Institute of Science and
Technology and placed under the National Economic Coordination
(funding became favorable)
• Philippine economy flourished
⮚ Crop production from 1946-1956 increased by 100%
⮚ Livestock and poultry production likewise improved
⮚ The demands for lumber and timber greatly increased due to
rehabilitation and reconstruction programs

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Magsaysay Administration, 1953-
1957)

• President Ramon Magsaysay directed all his efforts to the upliftment of the rural
people
⮚ Improved land reform system
⮚ Provided easy-term credit and facilities
⮚ Constructed roads and buildings for the masses
⮚ Provided technical advice for farmers on farm management and intensive
development
⮚ Extended the duty-free trade under the Bell Trade Act
• Highest number of scientists, as well as scientific works occurred in 1956
⮚ Due to RA No. 1237 which granted special privileges to scientists and inventors
⮚ Dioscoro Umali organized the Division of Plant Breeding, the Philippine Seed
Board, the National Rice and Corn Cooperative Movement Program
⮚ Fronda continued to improve the poultry industry by introducing modern
techniques

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Garcia Administration, 1957-1961)
• President Carlos Garcia adopted the “Filipino First Policy”
• The National Science Board was replaced with the National Science Development
Board (NSDB), raising it to a department level with a budget of its own
⮚ Scientific and industrial researches were made more possible (studies on indigenous
materials for industries, improvement of industrial products, substitution of native raw
materials, etc.)
• 1959 was called the “crop year”
⮚ Increase in production despite the prolonged drought
⮚ An offshoot of agricultural research breakthroughs
• improved farm technology
• use of modern farm practices)
• President Carlos Garcia adopted the “Filipino First Policy”
• The National Science Board was replaced with the National Science Development
Board (NSDB), raising it to a department level with a budget of its own
⮚ Scientific and industrial researches were made more possible (studies on indigenous
materials for industries, improvement of industrial products, substitution of native raw
materials, etc.)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post-War Philippine S&T
(The Macapagal Administration, 1961-
1965)

• President Diosdado Macapagal instituted the full decontrol program which lifted all
government controls on foreign exchange
⮚ The country’s foreign reserves were depleted
⮚ Ended the protection of Filipino enterprises
⮚ Unlimited importation and the Filipino colonial mentality of buying “stateside”
goods caused a substantial drop in sales of Philippine-made commodities

• The NSDB was mandated in 1963 to undertake research in all fields

⮚ through its 2 commissions, National Institute of Science and Technology
(NIST) and the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
• The Scientific Instrumentation Division was added to NSDB which shifted its
efforts to extensive training and expansion
• The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was established in 1960

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(Pre-Martial Law Years, 1965-1971)

• President Ferdinand Marcos’ national goals emphasized

economic and rural developments
⮚ Self-sufficiency in rice and diversification of crops
⮚ Land reform program and intensification of community
development programs
⮚ Laws that adjusted the government’s buying price for
rice and corn, reorganized agricultural agencies to
reduce operational costs and attain efficiency

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
The Marcos Era
(After Martial Law, 1981-1985)
• President Marcos issued Proclamation 2045 that lifted Martial Law
⮚ NSDB drafted a comprehensive science and technology plan for the country (Five-
Year Science and Technology Development Plan)
⮚ NSDB was reorganized to National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA)
• Mandated to formulate a comprehensive National Plan for Science and
Technology
⮚ The following agencies were created:
• Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resource Research and Development
(PCARRD)
• National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
• Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)
• Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research Development (PCIERD)
⮚ NAST tackled 3 major issues:
• Collection of biological specimens
• State of the dairy industry
• Effects of radiation on human health
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post EDSA revolution
(1986-present)
• President Corazon Aquino inherited a serious economic crisis
⮚ Organized the Philippine Commission on Good Government
(PCGG)
⮚ Created the Commission on Human rights (CHR)
⮚ NSTA was reorganized to Department of Science and
Technology (DOST)
⮚ PAGASA was transferred to the DOST from the Department of
National Defense
• Task Force on Science and Technology Development was created in
1989
⮚ Dialogue with industry and agriculture and identify the S&T areas
needed to move to NIC (Newly Industrializing Country) status by
the year 2000

Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
Post EDSA revolution
(1986-present)
• President Fidel Ramos envisioned the Philippines “to be a
country where all are provided a better life…”
⮚ DOST refocused its efforts on the 15 “leading edges”,
sectors that have substantial contribution to GNP:
• agriculture, aquaculture and marine fisheries, forest
and natural resources, metals and engineering,
textile industry, mining and minerals, process
industry, food and food industry, energy,
transportation, construction industry, information
technology, electronics, instrumentation and control,
emerging technologies, and the pharmaceutical
industry
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments.
Giraffe Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.