Science and technology in the Philippines describes scientific and technological progress made by the

Philippines and analyses related policy issues. The main agency responsible for managing science and
technology (S&T) is the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). There are also sectoral councils
for Forestry, Agriculture and Aquaculture, the Metal Industry, Nuclear Research, Food and Nutrition,
Health, Meteorology, Volcanology and Seismology.
Science and technology is an interdisciplinary topic encompassing science, technology, and their
interactions:
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of explanations and
predictions about nature and the universe.
Technology is the collection of techniques and processes used in the production of goods or services, or
the accomplishment of objectives such as scientific investigation.[1]
Among the men and women who have made contributions to science are Fe del Mundo in the field
of pediatrics, Eduardo Quisumbing in plant taxonomy, Gavino Trono in tropical
marine phycology and Maria Orosa in the field of food technology.[2]

History[edit]
Pre-Colonial Period[edit]

The Banaue Rice Terraces

The Laguna Copperplate Inscription shows the use of mathematics in precolonial Philippine societies. A
standard system of weights and measures is demonstrated by the use of precise measurement for gold,
and familiarity with rudimentary astronomy is shown by fixing the precise day within the month in
relation to the phases of the moon.
Shipbuilding showed geometric thinking and mastery of convexity, concavity, and the proper proportion
between ship breadth and length to ensure sailing efficiency. The practice of constructing as much as
twelve ships and boats to fit inside each other, not unlike matryoshka dolls containing each other, can
be interpreted as large three-dimensional wooden demonstration of sets, subsets, volumes, and
ordinality.[3]
The Banaue Rice Terraces are among the sophisticated products of engineering by pre-Spanish era
Filipinos.[4]
Spanish Colonial Period[edit]
The colonization of the Philippines contributed to the growth of science and technology in the
archipelago. The Spanish introduced formal education and founded scientific institution. During the
early years of Spanish rule in the Philippines. Parish schools were established where religion, reading,
writing, arithmetic and music was taught. Sanitation and more advanced methods of agriculture was
taught to the natives. Later the Spanish established colleges and universities in the archipelago including
the University of Santo Tomas.[4]
Accounts by Spanish friars in the 1580s showed that astronomy was already known and practiced. The
accounts also give the local names of constellations, such as Moroporo for the Pleiades and Balatik
for Ursa Major among others.
In 1687, Isaac Newton included an explicit reference to the Philippines in his classic Philosophiæ
Naturalis Principia Mathematica by mentioning Leuconia, the ancient Ptolemaic name for the
Philippines.[3]
The study of medicine in the Philippines was given priority in the Spanish era, especially in the later
years. The Spanish also contributed to the field of engineering in the islands by constructing government
buildings, churches, roads, bridges and forts.[4] Biology is given focus. Contributors to science in the
archipelago during the 19th century were botanists, Fr. Ignacio Mercado., Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera
and Dr. Leon Ma Guerrero, chemist Anaclento del Rosario, and medicine scholars Dr. Manuel Guerrero,
Dr, Jose Montes and Dr. Elrodario Mercado.[5]
The Galleon Trade have accounted in the Philippine colonial economy. Trade was given more focus by
the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the prospects of big profits. Agriculture and industrial
development on the other hand were relatively neglected.[5] The opening of the Suez Canal saw the
influx of European visitors to the Spanish colony and some Filipinos were able to study in Europe who
were probably influenced by the rapid development of scientific ideals brought by the Age of
Enlightenment.[5]
American Colonial Period and Post-Commonwealth era[edit]

Angel Alcala is a national scientist noted for his work in marine and aquatic
biology.
The progress of science and technology in the Philippines continued under American rule. On July 1,
1901, the Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories which was placed
under the Department of Interior. The Bureau replaced the Laboratorio Municipal, which was
established under the Spanish colonial era. The Bureau dealt with the study of tropical diseases and
laboratory projects. On October 26, 1905, the Bureau of Government Laboratories was replaced by
the Bureau of Science and on December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was
established.[4] The Bureau of Science became the primary research center of the Philippines until World
War II.[6]
Science during the American period was inclined towards agriculture, food processing, medicine and
pharmacy. Not much focus was given on the development of industrial technology due to free trade
policy with the United States which nurtured an economy geared towards agriculture and trade.[6]
In 1946 the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science. In a report by the US Economic
Survey to the Philippines in 1950, there is a lack of basic information which were necessities to the
country's industries, lack of support of experimental work and minimal budget for scientific research and
low salaries of scientists employed by the government. In 1958, during the regime of President Carlos P.
Garcia, the Philippine Congress passed the Science Act of 1958 which established the National Science
Development Board.[6]

Marcos Era and Martial Law[edit]

During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, the importance given to science grew. In the amended 1973
Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 9 (1), he declared that the "advancement of science and
technology shall have priority in the national development."[7] In his two terms of presidency and during
Martial Law, he enacted many laws promoting science and technology.
In his Second State of the Nation Address on January 23, 1967, he declared that science was necessary
for the development programs, and thus, directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science
courses in public high schools. The Department of Education, with the National Science Development
Board (NSDB), is organizing a project to provide selected high schools with science teaching equipment
over a four-year period.[8]
In his Third State of the Nation Address on January 22, 1968, he recognized that technology was the
leading factor in economic development, and channeled additional funds to support projects in applied
sciences and science education.[9]
In his Fourth State of the Nation Address on January 27, 1969, he gave a big part of the war damage
fund to private universities to encourage them to create courses in science and technology and to
research. He stated that he planned a project to have medical interns do a tour of duty in provincial
hospitals to arouse their social conscious and reduce the "brain drain." On April 6, 1968, he proclaimed
35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of the Philippine Science Community. The government
also conducted seminars for public and private high school and college science teachers, training
programs and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and workshops on fisheries
and oceanography.[10]
In his Fifth State of the Nation Address on January 26, 1970, he emphasized that the upgrading of
science curricula and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. He added the
Philippine Coconut Research Institute to the NSDB to modernize the coconut industry. The NSDB also
established the Philippine Textile Research Institute. The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission of the
NSDB explored the uses of atomic energy for economic development. Marcos assisted 107 institutions in
undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists to study nuclear science and technology abroad,
and providing basic training to 482 scientists, doctors, engineers, and technicians.[11]
In his Seventh State of the Nation Address on January 24, 1972, he spoke about his major development
projects in reforming sectors of education. Such projects included research and development schools,
technical institutes, science education centers, and agricultural colleges and vocational high schools.[12]
In 1972, he created the National Grains Authority to provide for the development of the rice and corn
industry to fully harness it for the economy of the country. (Presidential Decree No. 4, s. 1972)[13] He
established the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research to support the progressive development of
agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the nation. It was attached to the Department of Agriculture and
Natural Resources for administrative purposes.[14] He provided further support for the promotion of
scientific research and invention with Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972. This decree contains details on
the protection of intellectual property for the creator or publisher of the work. [15] He established
the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) under the
Department of National Defense to provide environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge
to ensure the safety of the people. (Presidential Decree No. 78, s. 1972)[16]
In 1973, he created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote industrial and economic
development through effective and efficient use of energy sources. (Presidential Decree No. 334, s.
1973)[17]
In 1976, he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the National
Academy of Science and Technology, which is composed of scientists with "innovative achievement in
the basic and applied sciences," to serve as a reservoir of scientific and technological expertise for the
country.[18]
In 1978, he created a Task Force on the formulation of a national action program on science and
technology to assess policies and programs of science and technology. (Executive Order No. 512, s.
1978)[19] In his Fourteenth State of the Nation Address on July 23, 1979, he said that the government
invested funds and time in organizations for scientific research, such as the NSDB, the Philippine Council
for Agricultural Research and Resources, the Plant Breeding Institute, the International Rice Research
Institute, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the Bureau of Forest Products. While these projects have had
breakthroughs, the market machinery did not adapt and invest in this technology due to the high-risk
front-end costs.[20]
In 1979, he constituted the Health Sciences Center created by R.A. No. 5163 as an autonomous member
within the University of the Philippines System to improve the internal organization and unity of
leadership within its units. (Executive Order No. 519, s. 1979)[21]
In 1980, he created the National Committee on Geological Sciences to advise government and private
entities on matters concerning development in geological sciences. (Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980)[22]
In 1982, he reorganized the National Science Development Board and its agencies into a National
Science and Technology Authority to provide central direction and coordination of scientific and
technological research and development. (Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982)[23] He granted salary
increases to the people with teaching positions in the Philippine Science High School due to their
necessity in the advancement of national science. (Executive Order No. 810, s. 1982). [24] 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)[25]
In 1986, he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School to
encourage careers in science and technology and to be more accessible to the talented students in the
Mindanao and Visayas areas. (Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986)[26]
Fifth Republic[edit]
 Filipina food technologist Maria Y. Orosa (1893–1945) is
credited with inventing banana ketchup.[27][28]
In 1986, during Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and Technology Authority was
replaced by the Department of Science and Technology, giving science and technology a representation
in the cabinet. Under the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for the years 1987–1992, science
and technology's role in economic recovery and sustained economic growth was highlighted. During
Corazon Aquino's State of the Nation Address in 1990, she said that science and technology
development shall be one of the top three priorities of the government towards an economic recovery.
[6]

On August 8, 1988, Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology
which came up with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for
the Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country status by the year 2000.[6] The Congress did not
put much priority in handling bills related to science and technology. The Senate Committee on Science
and Technology was one of the committees that handles the fewest bills for deliberation.[6]
Former DOST Secretary Ceferin Follosco reported that the budget allocation for science and technology
was increased to 1.054 billion pesos in 1989 from the previous year's 464 million pesos. However, due to
the Asian financial crisis, budget allocation for the years 1990 and 1991 were trimmed down to 920 and
854 million pesos respectively. Budget allocation were increased to 1.7 billion pesos in 1992.[6]
During her term, President Corazon Aquino encouraged scientists and inventors to bring the Philippines
to its former position as second to only Japan in the field of science and technology. One of the goals of
her administration was to achieve the status as being an industrialized country by 2000. She urged that
the private research sector form a stronger bond between public research to help jump-start the
progress in the area of Philippine Research and Development.[29]
Ironically, it was during President Corazon Aquino's term and the reorganization of Philippine
bureaucracy that Executive Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the “Philippine
Inventors Incentive Act.” This Philippine Inventors Commission was under the Science Development
board. It gave assistance to Filipino inventors through giving financial aid, patent application assistance,
legal assistance, and to help inventors market their products domestically and abroad.[30] Despite the
abolishment of the Philippine Inventors Commission, her administration gave rise to new avenues for
the government to aid the progress of Science and Technology in the country.
R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to free education up to the
secondary level, implemented in the education system together with this was the “Science for the
Masses Program” which aimed at scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos. The Aquino
administration recognized the importance of science and technology in the development of the
Philippines into a newly industrialized country. Funding for the science and technology sector was
tripled from 464 million in 1986 to 1.7 billion in 1992. The Science and Technology Master Plan was
formulated which aimed at the modernization of the production sector, upgrading research activities,
and development of infrastructure for science and technological purposes. A Research and Development
Plan was also formulated to examine and determine which areas of research needed attention and must
be given priority. The criteria for identifying the program to be pursued were, development of local
materials, probability of success, potential of product in the export market, and its strategic nature. The
grants for the research and development programs was included in the Omnibus Investment Law.[2]
There were noticeable improvements regarding science and technology as stated in President Fidel
Ramos' State of the Nation Address. In his third SONA, there was a significant increase in personnel
specializing in the science and technology field. At 1998, the Philippines was estimated to have around
3,000 competent scientists and engineers. Adding to the increase of scientists would be the result of the
two newly built Philippine Science High Schools in Visayas and Mindanao which promotes further
development of young kids through advance S&T curriculum.[31] The government provided 3,500
scholarships for students who were taking up professions related to S&T. Schools were becoming more
modernized and updated with the addition of high-tech equipment for student improvement and
teachers were getting training programs to benefit themselves and their students. Health care services
were promoted through local programs such as "Doctors to the Barrio Program." The health care
programs were innovative and effective as shown by the change in life expectancy from 67.5 years in
1992 to 69.1 years in 1995.[32]
Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic
Act No. 8439) was established. The award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for
people who have been influential in the field of S&T. In the sixth SONA, education was one of the
primary story-lines wherein programs such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science
and Technology and enactment of a law creating a nationwide system of high schools specializing in the
field of science and engineering.[33]
Fidel V. Ramos believes that science and technology was one of the means wherein the Philippines could
attain the status of new industrialized country (NIC). During his term, he was able to establish programs
that were significant to the field of S&T. In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for National
Development (STAND) was established. Among its priorities were: (1) exporting winners identified by
the DTI; (2) domestic needs identified by the President's Council for Countryside Development; (3)
support industries and (4) coconut industry development. Congress, during his term, was able to enact
laws that were significant for the field. Among were: (1) Magna Carta for Science and Technology
Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439); (2) Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act
No. 7687) and (3) Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459). The Intellectual
Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) was enacted during Ramos' term. The law
provides industrial property rights, copyrights and related rights, and technology transfer arrangements.
[34]
In President Joseph Estrada's term, two major legislations that he signed were Philippine Clean Air Act of
1999 (Republic Act No. 8749[35]) which was designed to protect and preserve the environment and
ensure the sustainable development of its natural resources, and Electronic Commerce Act of 2000
(Republic Act No. 8792)[36] which outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new
businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy. Aside from these, in his first State of the
Nation Address, President Estrada launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation
technologies. He also announced that Dole-outs are out, which meant basic health care, basic nutrition,
and useful education for those who want, but cannot afford it. Lastly, he said that they would speed up
the program to establish one science high school in every province.[37] It was in his second State of the
Nation Address that President Estrada announced the passage of the Clean Air Act, and the decision to
pursue the 15-year modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[38] His last State of
the Nation Address pushed for the advancement of industries and schools into the Internet age, as well
as the announcement of the passage of the e-Commerce Act.[39]
In the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the science and technology sector of the Philippines was
dubbed as the "golden age" of science and technology by then secretary Estrella Albastro [3]. Numerous
laws and projects that concerns both the environment and science to push technology as a tool to
increase the country's economic level. This is to help increase the productivity from Science, Technology
and Innovations (STI) and help benefit the poor people. Moreover, the term "Filipinnovation" was the
coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia.[4]
The 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.
This helps schools produce get more involve in this sector. Private sectors were also encouraged to
participate in developing the schools through organizing events and sponsorships. Future Filipino
scientists and innovators can be produced through this system[4]
Helping the environment was one of the focus in developing technology in the Philippines. One of the
more known laws to be passed by her administration was the R.A. 9367 or the "Biofuels" act. This act
promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the country. This potentially enables a
cheaper alternative to gasoline as a medium in producing energy. Also, this benefits the environment
since it boasts a cleaner emission compared to regular fuel. Yet, setbacks such as lack of raw materials is
holding the full implementation of the laws since importing the necessary materials are imported more.
[5]
On one had, drought-free rice was also highly encouraged to by used during her term. This enables
farmers to produce rice despite the environmental hazards that slows or stops the production.[3]
In an effort to improve the efficiency of both land and water, the government imposes Republic Act
10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Mechanization (AFMech). RA 10601
covers research, development, and extension (RDE), promotion, distribution, supply, assembling,
manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance and project implementation of agricultural and
fisheries machinery and equipment (Section 4).[40]
The Philippines was ranked 51st in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, it has increased its ranking
considerably since 2014, where it was ranked 100th.[41][42][43][44]

Science and technology fields[edit]

Life sciences[edit]
Life sciences is a broad field that encompasses numerous specializations. It is commonly defined by
sciences that pertain to living organisms including microorganisms, plants, animals, and human beings.
Some of the well-known fields in the Life Sciences include zoology, botany, biology, microbiology,
biotechnology, and biomedical technologies.
In the Philippines, the life sciences are under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a
government office that coordinates and funds researches by Filipino scientists and inventors. This can
assist the progress of science and technology within the Philippines. There are multiple agencies under
DOST that cater to specialized fields - the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), and
the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research Development
(PCAARRD).
Botany and biology[edit]

Eucheuma denticulatum is a species of red alga that naturally exists

in the country.
Several Filipino scientists have pioneered in the field of biology. For example, Eduardo Quisumbing,
a biologist who graduated MS in Botany at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1921, and Ph.D.
in Plant Taxonomy, Systematics and Morphology at the University of Chicago in 1923. He conducted
research on taxonomic and morphological papers deal with orchids[45] and authored the book Medicinal
Plants of the Philippines.[46] The species of Saccolabium quisumbingii was named after him. Dioscoro L.
Umali, is an agriculturist that was dubbed as the Father of Philippine Plant Breeding due to the programs
he conducted that are related to rainfed and upland agriculture, social forestry, and environmental
preservation.[47] Marine biologists helped improve the knowledge on aquatic resources such as Angel
Alcala, a biologist who was recognized for his research on amphibians and reptiles diversity and marine
biodiversity in the country and served as a consultant on marine and aquatic projects under the United
Nations Environment Programme, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and others,[48] Gavino Trono, a
biologist who was dubbed as the Father of Kappaphycus farming for his contributions to the study of
tropical marine phycology, focusing on seaweed biodiversity, established the largest phycological
herbarium in the country – the G.T. Velasquez Herbarium in the University of the Philippines’ Marine
Science Institute, and authored a book that was considered as the most authoritative books in the
country on the seaweed flora titled Field guide and atlas of the seaweed resources of the Philippines.[49]
Biotechnology[edit]
The Philippines Biofuel Act of 2006, RA 9376 mandates an increase of the minimum 5% bioethanol blend
(E5) in gasoline to 10% ethanol blend (E10). In 2011, 600 million liters of gasoline was consumed by car
owners in the Philippines, if the 10% bioethanol blend would be followed, this would be equivalent to 1
million metric tons of sugar.
Ethanol is an alcohol produced from fermenting carbohydrates in plants. Bioethanol can be produced
mainly from three different kinds of raw materials, namely simple sugars, starch, and lignocellulosic
biomass. Since the prices of the raw materials are very volatile and can easily change, lignocellulosic
biomass has been extensively studied due to its cheap price and abundance in agricultural countries like
the Philippines. Some of the top sources of lignocellulosic biomass include forest residues, municipal
solid wastes, and agricultural wastes such as sugarcane baggase, nipa sap, rice straws, etc.[50]
Numerous studies have been done by Filipino scientists on the raw materials that will achieve an
efficient and cost-effective bioethanol production. Studies on nipa sap showed that molasses is more
advantageous to use, as for the same amount of bioethanol produced, a greater amount of nipa sap was
needed compared to molasses.[51] A study by Tan et al.reports on corn as being viable for bioethanol
production, and has the potential to yield around 0.37 Liters per kilogram of corn used.[52] Other studies
highlighted that sugarcane juice produced approximately 70 Liters per ton of sugar. However, using
sugarcane juice as the primary feedstock for bioethanol production is deemed problematic, as this
would mean it would be competing with the sugar production in the country. Filipino scientists continue
to search for alternatives to sugarcane. The field of lignocellulosic agricultural wastes provides
opportunity for abundant and very cheap resources.
A study by Del Rosario in 1982 identified sweet sorghum as a possible source of ethanol, a very adaptive
crop that can withstand drought and grow in the low-lands as well as in the high lands. [53] A study by the
International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) showed that the production
costs for sweet sorghum is higher than sugarcane by 4.28%, but this is balanced out by the grain yield of
1 ton per hectare. In 2007, the University of Philippines-Los Banos, together with the Bureau of
Agricultural Research (BAR) and ICRISAT conducted studies on sweet sorghum as feedstock for
bioethanol production.
In 2013, BAR announced that the country may start producing its first sweet sorghum-based bioethanol.
The Philippine National Oil Co. -Alternative Fuels Corp and the San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. discussed the
creation of a 1,000 hectare sweet sorghum plantation solely for the purpose of using the produce as
feedstock for bioethanol production.[54]
Engineering[edit]
Engineering is the field of science that applies both science and math to solve problems, such fields
include mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering, and
industrial engineering. It concerns the use of technology in practical ways that can advance the human
condition.[55]
In the Philippines, many organizations and research institutes for engineering were established, such as
the National Engineering Center and the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.
The National Engineering Center (NEC) was first established on January 27, 1978, as the research arm of
the University of the Philippines College of Engineering. It absorbed the UP Industrial Research Service
Center, the National Hydraulic Research Center, the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and
Photogrammetry, the Transport Training Center, and the Building Research Service.[56]
The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) was the result of the merging of two separate civil
engineer organizations, the Philippine Society of Civil Engineers (PSCE) and the Philippine Association of
Civil Engineers (PACE), on December 11, 1973. It was given accreditation by the Professional Regulation
Commission on August 13, 1975, as the only official recognized organization of civil engineers in the
Philippines.[57] It was established to advance the knowledge and research and to maintain high ethical
standards of civil engineering.[58]
The University of the Philippines further established the National Center for Transportation Studies
(NCTS) to contribute to scholarly research and training in the field of transportation. They advocate
sustainable transport, integrated transport system, road safety, and institutional development.[59] They
release advisories and feature studies by both undergraduate and graduate students on transportation.
For example, the NCTS website links to downloads of Emer T. Quezon's research into the effects of
flyover construction on traffic flow in Nagtahan and R. Magsaysay Boulevard intersection in 1994,[60] as
well as the research of Franklyn T. Amistad and Jose Regin F. Regidor, Dr. Eng. researched into ways to
improve traffic management and congestion in Vigan without sacrificing its legacy as a World Heritage
Site.[61]
Ricardo G. Sigua is a professor who contributed to engineering research in the Philippines. Sigua, a
professor at the Institute of Civil Engineering in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, wrote a book
called The Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering due to the scarcity of textbooks on the traffic
engineering relevant to the Philippine context. His book covers topics such as traffic management and
regulations, traffic flow, traffic studies, intersection design and control, geometric design of highways,
road safety, traffic accident analysis, travel demand forecasting, the origin-destination table (OD Matrix),
and the intelligent transportation system.[62]
Electronic products accounted for 40% of the Philippines' export revenue in April 2013, according to the
Semiconductor and Electronics Industry in the Philippines, Inc., which groups 250 Filipino and foreign
companies, including Intel. The share of high-tech products among exports declined between 2008 and
2013 from US$26.9 billion to US$19.7 billion.[63]
Agriculture and aquaculture[edit]
See also: Agriculture in the Philippines
Agriculture is the field in science concerned with the different techniques of land cultivation and crop
and livestock raising.[64] The Department of Agriculture (Philippines) (DA) is a government agency
responsible for the development of the Philippine's agriculture by generating policies, investments, and
support services for local and export-oriented trade.[65] In the Philippine Development Plan (PDP),
Chapter 4: Competitive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries Sector, both agriculture and fisheries
sector provide the needs and raw materials for the market and surplus labor to the industry and service
sectors. The focus for improvement would be to create jobs and raise income for farmers and encourage
participation from them. Development of the agricultural sector is critical in maintaining an affordable
price for food especially for the poor, which could lead to inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
[65]
Proceso J. Alcala is a former district representative and appointed DA secretary by President Benigno
Aquino III in 2010. He is considered the 'Father of Organic Agriculture' because of his work in the Organic
Agricultural Act of 2010 (RA 10068).[66]
Developments regarding the research and technology of Philippine agriculture are currently in the
works. Most of the researches are inclined in solving the problem of increasing hunger in the country by
creating a more efficient and cheaper process of yielding produce. The International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) is an international research consortium, including the Philippines, which serves to
improve the rice production and quality through biotechnology and research. One of their ongoing
research involves changing the normal C3 carbon fixation mechanism of rice into a supercharged
photosynthetic mechanism, C4 carbon fixation. Converting rice from a C3 plant into a C4 plant would be
beneficial because the latter can efficiently produce more yield than the former in a given and limited
amount of resources (land, water, and fertilizer).[67] IRRI have made calculations that show that
converting rice into a C4 plant would increase the yield at around 30-50%, demonstrating a double
water-use efficiency, and providing more while using less fertilizer.[67] Other rice varieties have been
developed to increase efficiency without sacrificing the quality too much. PSB Rc26H (Magat), PSB
Rc72H (Mestizo), and PSB Rc76H (Panay) are some of the rice hybrids developed but only Mestizo is
currently available for planting. The texture and taste quality of Mestizo is comparable to the normal
grain, IR64.[68]
Overall records and statistics about Philippine agricultural growth is provided by the CountrySTAT
Philippines. In 2014, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 6.13%. The gross value added (GVA) in
agriculture and fishing went up by 1.60% and this accounted for 10% of the GDP increase. There was an
increase in the production of livestock rated at 1.01%. Gross outputs of the following livestock showed
an increase at different rates: hog, cattle, carabao, goat, chicken, duck, and other products such as
chicken eggs and dairy. There was an increase in the prices of different produce such as crops, fruits, and
livestock and a decrease in the prices of vegetables. Food and other non-alcoholic beverage had an
increase of 6.68%. Earnings from exports increased by 5.78% and top earners were from coconut oil and
banana. Expenditures for imports increased by 19.86% and the highest spending were from wheat and
milk products. The labor force totaled to 40.05 million and 11.21 million were employed in the
agriculture sector, which was around 30% of the national employment.
Metal industry[edit]
This industry deals with the creation and innovation of metallic and steel products. The metal/steel
industry has shown growing product innovation over the centuries. The industry's economic and political
influence has also grown.[69] The Philippines have become part of the growing revolution of the industry.
The Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) is a government agency under the
Department of Science and Technology that supports the local metals and engineering industry through
support services enhancing the industry's competitive advantage. The agency's mission would consist of
providing both public and private sectors with professional management and technical expertise, quality
control, research and development, technology transfer, and business advisory services.[70]
MIRDC have been cooperating with different organizations to create technology for various
improvements and purposes. The Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) System and the Road Train were
unveiled to the public during the annual Lantern Parade in the University of the Philippines Diliman. It
was a collaboration between UP Diliman and MIRDC for the purpose of faster travel time for students in
UP and the public. It had two stations, one located along C.P. Garcia and the other one is along the
University Avenue.[71] The Hand Tractor was from the works of both MIRDC and Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization (PhilMech). The concept of the equipment is a transplanter-attached
hand tractor and harvester-attached hand tractor wherein rice transplanting and harvesting implements
are readily available from the tractor. Farmers would benefit from this because of the reduced cost and
more utilization of hand tractor.[72]
Statistics of recent steel and steel-related industry developments were published by the Census of
Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI) of the National Statistics Office (NSO) with 2001 as the reference
year. The industry totaled to 1,895 establishment which is 29.6% of the manufacturing firms. Of all the
establishments, 403 or 21.3% of the steel industries were from intermediate steel sector and 1,246 were
from manufacturing industries. The steel industry was able to contribute 369,985 worker to the
manufacturing sector. Total compensation paid by the steel industry reached to P47.9 billion which was
about 41.2% of the total salaries and employers' contributions SSS/GSIS. The total expenses made by the
industry was valued at P692.6 billion which accounted for 48.8% of the costs made by the
manufacturing establishments. The total output of the industry was estimated at P832 billion which
accounted for 46.3% of the manufacturing output valued at P1,795.8 billion.[73]
Food and nutrition[edit]
Food science or nutritional science is the field of science studying the nature of foods and the natural
changes in them resulting from handling and processing. [74] It is the science concerned with food and
nourishment and the role of nutrients in health. In the Philippines, food and nutrition research
investigates the ideal diet for Filipinos to solve the problem of malnutrition and the current state of
nutrition.
The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) is the principal research arm of the Philippine
government in food and nutrition. It was first created in 1947 as the Institute of Nutrition to serve as a
clearing-house of data and information regarding nutrition.[75] In 1949, it was authorized to conduct
research in the applied science of food, as well.[76] The FNRI was reorganized in Executive Order No. 128,
s. 1987 to redefine its mandate to research food and nutrition in order to research and identify solutions
to malnutrition problems, develop programs, projects, and policies to address malnutrition, and
disseminate these findings.[77] In accordance with these functions, the Food Composition Laboratory was
established. Now known as the Food Analytical Service Laboratory (FASL), it is the pioneering laboratory
researching into the food and nutrient composition of Philippine foods. Their services include chemical
testing, microbiological testing, physico-chemical testing, and research and consultancy services.[78] FNRI
also develops simple recipes for small scale and household use, especially for the consumption by
infants and children. They provide the nutritional information, properties and even market potential.[79]
Aside from the FNRI, Philippine scientists have been researching into food science. Patricia T. Arroyo,
Ph.D., an assistant professor and chairman of the Department of Fisheries Technology of the University
of the Philippines, Diliman wrote The Science of Philippine Foods as a reference for students of food
chemistry and food technology to be used instead of foreign books. This book is a compilation of
scattered literature about Philippine foods and contains information about the structure, composition,
methods in preparation, standards of quality, preservation, and experiments about various food such as
eggs, rice, red meat, poultry, fish, fruits, vegetables, fats, oils, milk, milk products, wheat, flour, and
sugar.[80]
Maria Ligaya T. Braganza, Ed.D., the Dean of the School of Food Science and Technology at the Philippine
Women's University conducts applied researches on food and product development.[81] One of her
studies investigates the use of banana flour as a wheat flour extender in pan de sal and doughnuts.[82]
Ame P. Garong, a museum researcher at the National Museum of the Philippines, published Ancient
Filipino Diet: Reconstructing Diet from Human Remains Excavated in the Philippines based on her
doctoral dissertation. Using isotope analysis, she reconstructed the diet from the archaeological human
remains from different burial sites in the Philippines. Based on the bone, hair, muscle samples and plant
and animal tissues, Garong traced the diet of ancient Filipinos. Filipinos in the pre-colonial and early
colonial past ate mostly aquatic resources (such as marine fish, freshwater shellfish, and coral reef
resources). Some samples showed that the ancient Filipinos practiced prolonged breast feeding.[83]
Health[edit]
One aspect of healthcare is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases; the other pertains to
provisions for medical care for people in the community. In the Philippines, healthcare is under
the Department of Health (DOH). This government office is responsible for organizing public healthcare
and making sure that all Filipino citizens have access to quality health services. This office is also
responsible for supervising and funding researches pertaining to new medicines and medical devices.
The DOH has different bureaus, all of which have different areas of specialization, these are the Bureau
of Health Devices and Technology, Bureau of Health Facilities and Services, Bureau of International
Health Cooperation, Bureau of Local Health Development, Bureau of Quarantine and International
Health Surveillance, and Food and Drug Administration. The DOH has a budget of Php 87.6 billion for the
year 2015. The Secretary of Health is nominated by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the
incumbent Secretary of Health is Janette Garin; she was appointed last February 17, 2015.
The DOH has recently implemented the Philippines eHealth Strategic Framework and Plan (2013-2017).
This focuses on the application of Information and Communications Technologies for healthcare. It
draws up a long-term strategic plan for the development and implementation of eHealth services in the
Philippines. It looks into realizing a national electronic public-health information systems, if this is
reached, it can greatly improve the surveillance and response to health emergencies, it can also impact
researches of epidemiological nature, greatly speeding up the process as sampling would be very
convenient already. Another program recently started by the DOH is the Universal Health Care high
Impact Five (UHC-Hi-5), which focuses on the regional operations and its convergence in high priority
poverty program areas. Its goal is for tangible outputs within a 15-month period of its implementation.
Anti-cancer research[edit]
Soybean is a very sought-after crop, as its by products are used to generate bioethanol, and most
importantly it is linked with cancer research. During the past decade, soybean has been extensively
studied due to its 43-amino acid polypeptide called Lunasin. The anti-cancer properties of Lunasin was
first discovered by Dr Alfredo Galvez and Dr. Benito de Lumen, both Filipino doctors, when they were
enhancing the nutritional properties of soy protein. Dr. Galvez observed mitotic disruptive properties of
Lunasin in mammalian cancer cells, he saw that it prevented normal cells from turning into cancerous
cells. This eventually lead to more research about its anti-cancer properties. In 2005, Dr. de Lumen
conducted an experiment on Lunasin using skin cancer mouse models, he discovered that Lunasin
internalizes in mammals within minutes of exogenous application, it eventually ends up in the nucleus
wherein it inhibits the acetylation of core histones. Dr de Lumen observed that in spite of Lunasin's anti-
cancer properties, it does not inhibit the growth of normal mammalian cell lines.[84]
A very recent study on Lunasin showed that at certain doses, it reduced non-small cell lung cancer
tumor volume by 63%, it also showed a capability of inhibiting non-small cell lung cancer cells by
suppressing the cell-cycle dependent phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein.[85] More studies of
Lunasin also showed that it possesses antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and a cholesterol regulating role;
all of which makes it a very good potential source of dietary supplements. [86] All of these researches
would have not been at the level of where it is now, if not for the Filipino doctors who first discovered
Lunasin.
Social sciences[edit]

Encarnación Alzona, the first Filipina to get a Ph.D.

Notable Filipino scientists have been contributors in the field of social science in the country. Raul V.
Fabella was an academic, economist and scientist that graduated in Seminario Mayor-Recoletos
(Bachelor of Philosophy; 1970); the University of the Philippines School of Economics (Master of Arts;
1975); and Yale University (Doctor of Philosophy; 1982). He had written articles in both theoretical and
applied fields: political economy and rent-seeking; the theory of teams; regulation; international
economics; and mathematical economics and was associated with the concepts of "Olson ratio",[87] in
rent-seeking, egalitarian Nash bargaining solutions[88] and debt-adjusted real effective exchange rate.[89]
[90][91]
Teodoro Agoncillo, a 20th-century Filipino historian, and received the national scientist award for
his contributions in the field of history. He graduated from the University of the Philippines (Bachelor of
Philosophy; 1934) and finished his Master of Arts degree in the same university in 1935. He also wrote
books regarding the Philippine History like History of the Filipino People.[92] Encarnación Alzona, a
pioneering Filipino historian, educator and suffragist, became the first Filipina to obtain a Doctor of
Philosophy (Ph.D.). She got her degree in history and a master's degree from the University of the
Philippines and later, in 1920, obtained another master's degree in history from Radcliffe College, and a
Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1923. She was an advocate of women suffrage in the Philippines and
authored the book The Filipino Woman: Her Social, Economic and Political Status (1565-1933).[93] that
stated a stable account for women despite their lack in political and social rights.[94]
Forestry[edit]
Forestry is the field of science that practice planting, managing and taking care of trees. The governing
body for the Philippine forestry is the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This
department started way back in 1863, when the Spanish Royal Decree established the Inspeccion
General de Montes. This was transformed into the Department of Interior in 1901. Then when the
government reorganized, it became the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. During 1987,
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was formally established. Under this
department, the Forest Management Bureau was the sector that focuses on preserving the forest and
the harvesting of its resources.[95]
The Philippines have an actual forest cover at 6.5 million hectares (ha) or 24% of the total land area. A
lot of Filipinos rely on these resources for their survival. The country's goal is to have a sustainable
forest-based industry that can contribute to the socio-economic development and support the
disadvantaged sectors of society. Several projects have been started by the Forest Products Research
and Development and Institute (FPRDI) to accomplish this goal. It starts with the identification of the
nation's tree species. and subsequently developing the products-based industry of wood and lumber.
The institute also covers the sustainable creation of furnishings using wood, bamboo, rattan and vines.
Natural disaster preparedness[edit]
The Philippines is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to natural disasters. Every year, between
six and nine tropical cyclones make landfall, alongside other extreme events such as floods and
landslides. In 2013, the Philippines had the misfortune to lie in the path of Cyclone Haiyan (known as
Yolanda in the Philippines), possibly the strongest tropical cyclone ever to hit land, with winds that were
clocked at up to 380 km/h.[96]
To address disaster risk, the Philippines has been investing heavily in critical infrastructure and enabling
tools such as Doppler radars, generating 3D disaster-simulation models from Light Detection and
Ranging (LiDAR) technology and the wide-scale installation of locally developed sensors for accurate and
timely disaster information nationwide. In parallel, it has been building local capability to apply,
replicate and produce many of these technologies.[96]

Science, technology and innovation policy[edit]

Strategic framework and related legislation[edit]
Harmonized Agenda, 2002-2020[edit]
The Department of Science and Technology is the key government institution for science and
technology, with policy development being co-ordinated by a series of sectorial councils. Within the
framework of the current National Science and Technology Plan, 2002–2020 (NSTP), the strategic focus
is on building technological self-reliance. The Harmonized Agenda for Science and Technology, 2002–
2020 reflects this focus in its approach to problem-solving related to inclusive growth and disaster risk
reduction. The Harmonized Agenda was presented to the President in August 2014. Although science
and technology are guided by the NSTP, the Harmonized Agenda attempts to provide more detail of how
the country can become technologically self-reliant to sustain science and technology beyond the
mandate of the administration in power at the time of the Agenda's adoption.[63]
The Harmonized Agenda focuses on the development of critical technologies such as remote sensing,
LiDAR processing, testing and metrology facilities, advanced climate change and weather modelling,
advanced manufacturing and high-performance computing. Five centres of excellence are being
established or upgraded by 2020 in biotechnology, nanotechnology, genomics, semiconductors and
electronic design. The five centres of excellence are all government-funded:[63]

 the Centre for Nanotechnology Application in Agriculture, Forestry and Industry (est. 2014) is based
at the University of the Philippines Los Baños;
 the Biotech Pilot Plant (est. 2012 and since upgraded) is housed at the University of the Philippines
Los Baños;
 the Philippine Genome Centre (est. 2009) is hosted by the University of the Philippines Diliman; it
operates two core facilities in DNA sequencing and bioinformatics;
 the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory is located in the Department of Science and
Technology's compound in Bicutan in Taguig City and has been operational since 2013; it houses
three laboratories in surface analysis, thermal, chemical and metallurgical analysis; n the Electronic
Product Development Centre will also be located in the Department of Science and Technology's
compound in Bicutan in Taguig City; it will provide state-of-the-art design, prototyping and testing
facilities for printed circuit boards.[96]
The government policies outlined above are seeking to create and fund infrastructure to support the
development of ‘core technologies', in order to solve pressing problems. This approach reinforces the
economic rationale for government intervention in the science system to address market failures and
make markets work within the purview of good governance. A key challenge will be to build sufficiently
solid infrastructure to sustain current efforts. One example of the virtues of sustained support for
research is the International Rice Research Institute based in the city of Los Baños.[63]
Legislative reform[edit]
The Technology Transfer Act (2010) is expected to enhance innovation by providing a framework and
support system for the ownership, management, use and commercialization of intellectual property
arising from government-funded research and development (R&D).[63]
To better address needs in terms of human capital, the Fast- Tracked Science and Technology
Scholarship Act (2013) expands the coverage of existing scholarship programmes and strengthens the
teaching of science and mathematics in secondary schools. The Philippine National Health Research
System Act (2013), meanwhile, has formed a network of national and regional research consortia to
boost domestic capacity.[63]
Trends in investment in R&D[edit]
Human investment in R&D[edit]
The Philippines trails its more dynamic ASEAN peers for investment in both education and research. The
country invested 0.3% of GDP in higher education in 2009, one of the lowest ratios among ASEAN
countries. After stagnating for the first half of the century, tertiary enrolment leapt from 2.6 million to
3.2 million between 2009 and 2013. The rise in PhD graduates has been even more spectacular, their
number having doubled over the same five-year period from 1 622 to 3 305, according to the UNESCO
Institute for Statistics. This may explain the leap in the number of researchers in just a few years. The
Philippines counted just 78 researchers (in full-time equivalents) per million inhabitants in 2007 but the
country's researcher density had more than doubled to 188 researchers per million inhabitants by 2013,
according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. This is still well below the global average of 1,083 per
million (2013).[63]
Scientific output is modest, with Filipino scientists producing just nine articles per million inhabitants in
2014, according to Thomson Reuters' Web of Science (Science Citation Index Expanded). The global
average in 2014 was 176 publications per million.[96] Seven out of ten Filipino researchers (70%) co-
authored papers with foreign scientists between 2008 and 2014; their preferred collaborators were
based in the US, Japan, Australia, China and the United Kingdom, in descending order.[63]
Financial investment in R&D[edit]
The level of domestic investment in R&D remains low by any standards: 0.11% of GDP in 2007 and 0.14%
of GDP in 2013, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It will be a challenge to bring science to
underpin innovation and development, unless the level of investment rises. Achieving this will include
leveraging foreign direct investment in areas like electronics, in order to move closer to the higher end
of the scale for value-added goods in the global value chain.[63]

Institutions[edit]

An IRRI researcher studying rice DNA under ultraviolet light.

International Research Organizations[edit]

 International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

 Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC)
 Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)
National Government Research Institutions, Bureaus and Attached Agencies[edit]
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

 Sectorial Planning Councils

o Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and National Research and Development (PCAARRD)
o Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)
 o Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development
(PCIEERD)
 Research and Development Institutes
o Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI)
o Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI)
o Forest Products Research Development Institute (FPRDI)
o Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI)
o Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC)
o Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI)
o Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI)
Department of Agriculture (DA)

 Bureaus
o Bureau of Agricultural Research
 Attached Agencies
o National Fisheries Research and Development Institute
o Philippine Carabao Center
o Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization
o Philippine Rice Research Institute
o Philippine Rubber Research Institute
Department of Energy (DOE)

 Energy Research and Testing Laboratory

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR)

 Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau

o Forest Ecosystem Research Division
o Coastal Zone and Freshwater Ecosystems Research Division
o Urban Ecosystem Research Division
o Watershed and Water Resources Research, Development, and Extension Division
o Urban and Biodiversity Research, Development, and Extension Division
o Coastal Resources and Ecotourism Research, Development, and Extension Division
o Agroforestry Research, Development, and Extension Division
o Forest and Wetland Research, Development, and Extension Division
o Toxic and Hazardous Waste Research, Development, and Extension Division
 Environmental Management Bureau
o Environmental Research and Laboratory Services Division
Department of Health (DOH)

 Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)

National Academic, Research and Professional Societies[edit]
Collegial and Scientific Bodies
 National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)
Basic Science

 Crop Science Society of the Philippines

 Transportation Science Society of the Philippines
 Philippine Physics Society
 Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas
 Samahang Pisika ng Visayas at Mindanao
 Integrated Chemists of the Philippines
 Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas
 Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
 Philippine Society for Cell Biology
 Mathematical Society of the Philippines
 Computing Society of the Philippines
 Geological Society of the Philippines
 Ecological Society of the Philippines
 Philippine Association of Entomologists
 Philippine Association in Marine Science
 Federation of Institutions in Marine and Freshwater Sciences
 Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines
 Philippine Horticultural Society
 Philippine Association of Marine Science
 Philippine Astronomical Society
 Philippine Meteorological Society
 Philippine Corrosion Society
 Philippine Society for Developmental Biology
 Philippine Society for Microbiology
Applied Sciences

 Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers

 Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers
 Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers
 Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines
 Society of Metallurgical Engineers of the Philippines
 Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
 Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers
 Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines, Inc.
 Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines, Inc.
 Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc.
 Society of Aerospace Engineers of the Philippines
 Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers
 Philippine Society of Mining Engineers
Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development (NICER)[edit]
The following are the NICER programs that are funded by the Department of Science and Technology
(Philippines):

List of NICER Programs[97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]

Regio
Center Lead Institution Affiliate Institution
n

Center for Advanced

Materials for Clean
University of Santo Mapua University Manila Campus, Adamson
NCR Energy Technologies
Tomas University
Based on Indigenous
Materials (CAMCET)

Environmental
Technologies and Polytechnic
University of the Philippines
NCR Compliance University of the
Diliman, Adamson University
Research and Philippines
Development Center

Astronomy Research
Rizal Technological
NCR and Development
University
Center

Center for Disaster

Risk Reduction and University of the
NCR
Management In Philippines Manila
Health

Integrated Protein
Ateneo de Manila
NCR Research and
University
Development Center

Neuro-Robotics De La Salle
NCR Research and University Main
Development Center Campus
List of NICER Programs[97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]

Regio
Center Lead Institution Affiliate Institution
n

Technological
Center for Advanced Institute of the
NCR University of the Philippines Diliman
Batteries Philippines
Quezon City

Mountain
Engineering University of the Saint Louis University (Philippines), Kalinga
CAR
Research and Cordilleras State University
Development Center

Potato Research and Benguet State

CAR
Development Center University

Garlic and Other

Agri-Food
Mariano Marcos
01 Condiments
State University
Research and
Development Center

Coastal Engineering Don Mariano

01 Research and Marcos Memorial
Development Center State University

Electromobility Cagayan State

02 Research and University - Carig University of the Philippines Diliman
Development Center Campus

02 Smart Water Isabela State Cagayan State University, Quirino State

Infrastructure and University University
Management
Research and
List of NICER Programs[97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]

Regio
Center Lead Institution Affiliate Institution
n

Development Center

Citrus Research and Nueva Vizcaya

02
Development Center State University

Freshwater Fisheries
Isabela State
02 Research and
University
Development Center

Sweet Potato
Tarlac Agricultural
03 Research and
University
Development Center

Biomaterials for
Diagnostics and
Angeles University
03 Therapeutics
Foundation
Research and
Development Center

Tamarind Research Pampanga State

03 and Development Agricultural
Center University

Vector of Diseases of
De La Salle
Public Health
04-A University Laguna
Research and
Campus
Development Center
List of NICER Programs[97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]

Regio
Center Lead Institution Affiliate Institution
n

Cave Ecosystem University of the

04-A Research and Philippines Los
Development Center Baños

Lakes Sustainable Laguna State University of the Philippines

04-A Research and Polytechnic Diliman, University of the Philippines Los
Development Center University Baños

Native Pigs Research

Marinduque State
04-B and Development
University
Center

Queen Pineapple
University of
05 Research and
Camarines Norte
Development Center

Pili Research and

05 Bicol University
Development Center

Mollusk Research
University of the
06 and Development
Philippines Visayas
Center

Biodiversity Cebu
07 Research and Technological
Development Center University

07 Environmental University of the

Informatics Research Philippines Cebu
and Development
List of NICER Programs[97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]

Regio
Center Lead Institution Affiliate Institution
n

Center

Crustaceans Samar State

08 Research and University -
Development Center Mercedes Campus

Native Chicken Western

09 Research and Mindanao State
Development Center University

Bamboo Research
Central Mindanao
10 and Development
University
Center

Mindanao State
Sustainable Polymers
University–Iligan
10 Research and
Institute of
Development Center
Technology

Mindanao State University - Lanao del Norte

Agricultural College, Mindanao State
University - Maigo School of Arts and
Sea Cucumber Mindanao State
Trades, Mindanao State University–Tawi-Tawi
10 Research and University–
College of Technology and
Development Center Naawan
Oceanography, Camiguin Polytechnic State
College, University of Science and Technology
of Southern Philippines - Panaon Campus

11 Center for Applied University of the Malayan Colleges Mindanao

Modeling, Data Philippines
Analytics, and Mindanao
Bioinformatics for
 List of NICER Programs[97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]

Regio
Center Lead Institution Affiliate Institution
n

Decision Support
Systems In Health

Renewable Energy
Ateneo de Davao
11 Research and
University
Development Center

Halal Goat Research

Sultan Kudarat
11 and Development
State University
Center

University of
Cacao Research and
12 Southern
Development Center
Mindanao

Industrial Tree
Plantation Species Caraga State
13
Research and University
Development Center

Mindanao State
Seaweed Research University–Tawi-
BARMM and Development Tawi College of
Center Technology and
Oceanography

Science education in the Philippines[edit]

High school education[edit]
Philippine Science High School System[edit]
The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System is a specialized high school program in the Philippines
under the Department of Science and Technology. It offers scholarships to students that are gifted in
science and mathematics. High school students are bound by law to major in pure and applied science,
mathematics or engineering. PSHS have 12 regional campuses in addition to the main campus. PSHS
follows the K-12 basic education program of the government.[105]
Regional Science High School System[edit]
The Regional Science High School (RSHS) System is a specialized high school program in the Philippines
under the Department of Education. RSHS have regional campuses and follows the K-12 basic education
program of the government.
Tertiary education[edit]
Various universities offers science courses that encompasses the different fields of science.
The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act of 2017 provides for free tuition and exemption
from other fees in public universities and colleges for Filipino students, as well as subsidies for those
enrolled in private higher education institutions.