Philippine Inventions

At the end of the lesson, are able to:

 discuss the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines

Despite being considered a developing country, the Philippines also contributes to the global
advancement of Science and Technology. It is quite remarkable to note the ingenuity of the Filipinos
despite the lack in resources. The Philippines is known to be one of the most vulnerable countries in
terms of natural disasters. Many of the discoveries and inventions made by Filipinos were therefore
built from indigenous materials or created to adapt to the harsh tropical environment.

1. Salamander Amphibious Tricycle

It has become ordinary for Filipinos to convert transport vehicles into something more useful.
An example is the conversion of American Military jeeps in World war II into jeepneys. Another Filipino
innovation is the addition of sidecar to a motorcycle, transforming it into a tricycle to accommodate
passengers.

During the rainy season, flooding is s a common occurrence in many areas in the country.
Tricycles find it very difficult to traverse many areas. To remedy the situation, Victor Llave and his team
H2O Technologies were able to invent the Salamander, an amphibious tricycle that can cross not only
flooded streets but also rivers and lakes.

2. SALT lamp

One of the major needs in the Philippines, as a developing nation is electrification. Electricity
powers various types of machines including light sources. Fortunately, a young Filipina inventor named
Aisa Mijeno was able to invent a lighting system that utilizes a material abundant in the Philippines-
saltwater. The SALt lamp or the Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp is an environmentally friendly
light source that runs on saltwater.

The SALt lamp is safer as it poses no risk of fire and emits no toxic gases. Aside from people who live
in coastal areas, it may also benefit those far-flung barrios because they can make their own saltwater
by mixing tow tablespoon of salt and a glass of tap water.
3. Medical incubator

A common problem in the Philippines is the high mortality rate of newborn babies. One reason
for this problem in 20th century was the lack of available incubators especially in far flung areas due to
lack of resources and electricity, Dr. Fe del Mundo, a Filipino pediatrician and the first Asian Woman
admitted into Harvard Medical School, devised a medical incubator made from indigenous and cheap
materials which did not run on electricity. Dr. Del Mundo’s incubator was made by pacing a native
laundry basket inside a bigger one. Hot water bottles were inserted between the baskets to provide
warmth and a makeshift hood to allow oxygen circulation. Its main purpose as to maintain conditions
suitable for a newborn usually a pre-term baby. Other breakthrough in Philippine medicine attributed to
Dr. Del Mundo include her works on the immunization and treatment of jaundice and the BRAT diet for
curing diarrhea.

4. Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap system

Dengue, a mosquito borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas including the
Philippines. This virus is usually transmitted by Aegis aegypti mosquito, rampant during the rainy
season. Insecticides were previously used to kill the species. However, recent studies show that
insecticides resistance has evolved in some mosquito populations. Likewise, using insecticides is
harmful not only for humans but also to the environment.

In 2010, the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute

(DOST-ITDI) was able to introduce the Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap system, also known as the OL
trap. This trap system is made of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but safe for humans
and the environment.

5. Ejeepney

A major innovation that changed the transportation industry in the Philippines was the development of
the jeepney. This iconic public utility vehicle was built using the military jeeps left by the Americans
after the World War II. Because of its usefulness, the jeepney dominated Philippine streets. However,
the diesel powered jeepney produce large quantities of black smoke and is usually major contributor of
noise pollution due to its primitive exhaust system. To counter these disadvantages, the electric
jeepney (Ejeepney) was developed. This modern type of transportation utilizes electricity instead of the
most expensive diesel. It is environment- friendly since it does not emit any smoke and noise.
6. 3-in-1 Fire Truck

The Pinoys weren't the first to invent "3-in-1 coffee," but they've invented something far better: a 3-in-
1 truck named the Anos Fire Ambulance and Rescue Vehicle (AFARV). Invented by the late Alfredo M.
Anos Sr., this "Godfather of Filipino Inventors" has created a rescue vehicle, fire truck, and ambulance
in one.

"Its triple capability allows firefighters and emergency workers to simultaneously put out fire, rescue
people and animals, and provide first aid treatment to the injured. The ambulance and rescue fire truck
uses compressed air foam system that is five to seven times more efficient than plain water in putting
out fire," he said in an interview with the Manila Bulletin.

7. COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit

The first Philippine-made COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit developed by the University of the
Philippines National Institutes of Health (UP NIH) and financed by the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) has been certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The GenAmplify Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Real-Time-PCR Detection Kits can only be used
in hospitals with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based machines, also known as thermocyclers/DNA
amplifiers to work and cannot be used at home.

The GenAmplify COVID-19 Test Kit was developed at the UP NIH by a team of Filipino scientists led by
Dr. Raul Destura, who had previously developed the Lab-In-a-Mug Dengue Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit.

For additional readings, please visit these links: https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/look-6-filipino-science-tech-

innovations-commercially-available-in-2020/
https://www.carmudi.com.ph/journal/made-by-pinoys-8-best-innovations-and-inventions-in-transportation/

Questions for Reflection

1. Give three major scientific and technological developments in the world or in the Philippines that
created a large impact on your daily life.

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2. What historical antecedents gave rise to the inventions you mentioned in the first question?

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3. How did the developments in Science and Technology shape human history?

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