STS 7.

Science, Technology and Nation Building

Learning Outcomes
1. Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in daily living
2. Show government programs and policies on Science and Technology and explain their
importance and contribution to nation-building.
3. Evaluate the impact of Science and Technology policies of the government on  the
development of the Filipino nation
Introduction:
Science and Technology were already a practice of early Filipinos. They made significant
inventions and discoveries. This module brings about how Science and Technology affect the
development of the Philippines as a nation. 
History of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Lessons:
1. Pre- Colonial Period
Early Filipino settlers were already engaged in:
 Using plants and herbs as medicines 
 Building of rice terraces by the Cordilleras  incorporating intricate irrigation and
farming system 
 Development of tools made of copper, bronze and later iron. Excavation studies
showed that early Filipinos were involved in actual extraction, smelting and
refining of iron ores.  farming and animal hunting
 Filipinos during the colonial period were already making boats suited for inter-
island trades.  In fact   Archeological studies showed that the Spaniards utilized
the expertise of Filipinos in boat making and seamanship 
 Filipino specifically the Butuan inhabitants were already trading with Vietnam
while  in the Mindoro area were  trading with the Chinese. Filipinos in Sulu
traded with Borneo, Malaca and Malay peninsula. 
 Before the Spaniards came, Filipinos were already growing cotton, rice and
vegetables and at the same time raising goats, fowls and swine. 
 

      2. Colonial Period
1. Spanish Colonization

 The Spaniards introduced town planning and construction of roads, bridges, and
other large infrastructures.   Due to lack of skilled Filipinos, the Spaniards has to
 import Chinese builders, artilleries and masons. Filipinos did the hard labor in the
construction works. 
 Constructions of churches, walls of Manila, convents, hospitals and public buildings
were almost complete by 17 century
th

 The establishment of hospitals by the Spaniards became the setting of research work 
on medicine and pharmacy especially on medicinal plants
 In 1887, Filipinos started to join research related activities of the Spaniards
 Agricultural development was led by Chinese and Spanish residents in the
Philippines. Filipinos were farm workers on the large estates of Spanish friars. The
profits from the agriculture was promising due to the growth of population especially
in Manila. 
 More profits derived from the agricultural  lands due to the exploitation of the native
technology by Filipinos and by the compulsory services rendered by Filipino workers
to the Spaniards 
 Spaniards established schools, hospitals and started scientific research. The
development of science and technology were influenced by the religion and the
economic and trade adopted during the colonial period. 
 Education was limited to primary instruction and higher education was restricted to
priesthood and clerical positions.
 The University of Sto Tomas remained the higher institution of learning up to the
present
 Galleon trading that travels from Acapulco to Manila bringing thousands worth of
goods like Spanish spices, porcelain and other valuable goods and   travels from
Manila to   Acapulco. Unfortunately only the Chinese  profited from the trade.
 2. The American Period 
 Science and Technology was more advanced during the American period due to the
encouragement and support of the Americans on public education system 
 Primary education was given to Filipinos with English as the medium of instruction. 
 Philippine Normal School was put up in order to train Filipinos as teachers 
 Qualified Filipinos were send abroad for advanced training in order to gradually
replaced  foreign teachers 
 In 1905 Philippine Medical School was established then followed by other
professional schools. These were all absorbed by the University of the Philippines
after the American period
 Before 1910, Americans encourage Filipinos to get higher professional education in
American Colleges
 Extensive public health programs were also established by the Americans
 Bureau of Science was established where different laboratories like, serum
laboratory, chemical laboratory, biological laboratory and vaccine production were
done
 Unfortunately, the economic activity in the Philippines during the American period
was tied to exporting  of raw agricultural products and importing of manufactured
goods
  
  
       
3. Commonwealth Period
 The 1935 Constitution acknowledge the importance of scientific and economic
development 
 Creation of National Economic Council to prepare economic programs to sustain
genuine political independence
 Several private higher education institution were established like Silliman
University, Centro escolar University, Far Eastern University, Philippine Women
University, University of Manila, University of Santo Tomas 
 Establishment of National Development Company to promote researches from
government science agencies for commercialization.
 During the war the science activities of Filipinos that was all   built up was  razed
to the ground

  Science and Technology after the Independence

 Increased number of SUC’s
  Increased number of graduates in science, engineering and other professional
courses
 Little was done in innovation and research 
 In 1952, Science Foundation of the Philippines was established
 National Science Development Board to formulate policies for the development
of science and technology and coordinate the work of science agencies
 In 1974, science development program was included in the 4 year development
plan of the Philippines

4. Science and Technology Initiatives of Philippine Presidents 

 
4.1Ferdinand E. Marcos 
 Philippine Atmospheric  Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration
 National Academy of Science and Technology
 Department of Science and Technology

4.2Corazon C. Aquino
 EXECUTIVE ORDER Number 128, otherwise known as REORGANIZING
THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITY, give
incentives to Filipinos who are scientists and investors.
 The RA 6655, known as Science for the Masses Program, aims to encourage
children interested in Science and Technology to study for free.
 Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology alleviates and envisions
the Philippines' status as the next industrialized country.

4.3 Fidel V. Ramos

 Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (Executive Order 15,

September 1,  1992) 
 aims to protect and conserve our natural resources and rehabilitate our
degraded ecosystems.
 Implemented Waste Disposal Projects.
 Intensified Clean Air Campaign.
 Rehabilitated and Protected Major Bodies of Water

                            4.4Joseph E. Estrada
 Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) –protect and
preserve the environment.
 Climate Information Monitoring and Prediction Services - weather 
 Phil-Jobnet to improve the job placement and information network in the
country through IT.
  Project Rise or the Rescue Initiative for Science Education to upgrade science
and technology learning

 The Mobile Information Technology Classroom in Mindanao provides

students with hands-on training in IT lessons.
 National Computer Center fulfills its goal of setting up a government
information infrastructure to eradicate red tape in the bureaucracy.

4.5Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

 Republic Act 10055, otherwise known as the Technology Transfer Act of 2009
 New Philippine Science High School campuses 
 S&T Undergraduate Scholarship Program
 Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program
and the Engineering Research and Development Technology Program
 Allocated the much-needed funds to improve research facilities and funding
for the R&D activities of academic scientists and engineers. (S&T Media
Service)

4.6Benigno C. Aquino III

 Established integrated flood early warning, which is known as  Project NOAH
(Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) to  communities  situated 
in  the 18   major river systems in the country
 Magna Carta of Science and Technology Worker

7. Rodrigo Roa Duterte

 Republic Act No. 11035, also known as an “Act Institutionalizing the Balik
Scientist Program,”
  First locally-made hybrid-electric train (HET)
 Biotek-M dengue diagnostic kit
 Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO), this ground
receiving station (GRS) in Davao, was designed to communicate with earth
observation satellites, including Filipino-made Diwata-1 and Diwata-2
microsatellites, by receiving, processing, and distributing space-borne
imagery.
 GeoMapper-Exposure Data Mapper, GeoMapper-Situation Data Mapper, Geo
Analytics, and HazardHunter PH.
 USHER is a commercialized R&D (research and development) product for
passive seismic monitoring of buildings and bridges. 
 President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that would harness innovation
efforts to help the poor and the marginalized and enable micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be part of the domestic and global supply
chain. This is known as Republic Act 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act,
which Duterte signed into law on April 17, 2019. Further, this RA authorizes
the government to adopt innovation policies under Section 10, Article XIV of
the Constitution that recognizes Science and Technology as "essential for
 national development and progress" and prioritizes "research and
development, invention, innovation, and their utilization."
 Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for scientists, engineers, researchers,
and other S&T personnel in government by not imposing limits on additional
honoraria.
 Philippine Space Act (RA 11363) Duterte signed into on August 8, 2019,   law
recognizing the "urgent need to create a coherent and unified strategy for
space development and utilization to keep up with other nations in terms of
space Science and Technology.

Global Innovation Index

The 2022 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII) tracks the most recent global
innovation trends against the background of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic despite
slowing productivity growth and other evolving challenges. GII ranks the most
innovative economies in the world and it ranks the innovation performance of 132
economies.

 Switzerland is the most innovative economy in the world in 2022 - for the 12  year in a
th

row - followed by the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
China is nearing the top 10 while Türkiye and India enter the top 40 for the first time,
according to the GII 2022.

Overall the GII of the Philippines in 2022 is ranked 59. The country ranked 73rd in 2018
and 2017. "Based on the (GII) report, the Philippines produces more innovative outputs
relative to its level of investments.