I.

Overview of the Module

Module 1 Lesson 3: Science, Technology and Society

In the Philippines

II. Learning Objectives:

The students must have:

1. explained the historical timeline of science and technology in the Philippines;

2. analyzed the development of science and technology in the Philippines; and
3. synthesized and created their own understanding on the different periods of the history of
science and technology in the Philippines.

ACTIVATE:

Create a poster about 2 Filipino inventions that you think is the most useful in the
lives of people and society. Give a brief explanation on why did you chose the said
inventions.

III. Lesson Proper

Brief historical background of Science & Technology in the Philippines

The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back before the
country gained its independence from the American colonizers. Before the Spanish
colonizers, the early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture & traditions.

The Philippines today is known to be a Third World country. The development of

science and technology will determine the socio-economic growth of the country. It is also a
fact that the national progress will relate the capacity of a country to produce local industrial
goods for domestic needs.

It will greatly affect our economic growth through increasing the chances of foreign
investors coming to our country and investing the products developed and invented by our
local inventors. It could also indicate an increase in tourism by the foreign people to try the
products that our country has developed.

The continuous development in the field of science and technology could make a
different history for the country. Supporting the programs that our government has built
means a better chance for the country to regain our status and glory to the global
competition.
 Historical background of Science & Technology in the Philippines

Pre-Spanish Period

 Scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that provide them
food
 Taking care of their animals
 Food production
 Science is also observed in the way they interpret the movements of heavenly bodies
to predict seasons & climates and in organizing days into months and years.
 They also used science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes
 Like any other cultures, they also discovered the medicinal use of plants

 Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations & in developing tools that
they can use in everyday life
 They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking & fishing; for fighting their enemies
during war or tribal conflicts; and for transportation, both on land & waterways
 They also developed technologies in creating musical instruments
 The METAL AGE also had a significant influence on the lives of early Filipinos
 The sophisticated designs of gold, silver, jewelry and ceramics and metal tools proved
that their technological ideas helped in the development of different tools
 They also traded with nearby countries like China, Indonesia and Japan. They had
opportunities for cultural and technological exchange
 All these ancient practices in science and technology are considered now as
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE OR FOLK SCIENCE
Spanish Colonial Period

 When Spaniards colonized the country, they bought with them their own culture and
practices
 They established school for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and
disciplines. It was the beginning of formal science & technology in the country, known
as school of science and technology
 Learning of science in school focuses on understanding the different concepts related
to the human body, plants, animals & heavenly bodies.
 Technology focuses on using & developing house tools used in everyday life
 Life in the Spanish era slowly became modernized, adapting some Western
technology and their way of life
 Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology brought by the Spaniards using
indigenous materials
 Medicine & advanced science were introduced in formal colleges & universities
established by the Catholic orders
 The GALLEON TRADE has brought additional technology & development
 Some Filipino students who were able to study in Europe also contributed to the
advancement of medicine, engineering, arts, music & literature in the country
  Philippines was one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia during this time
 The superstitious beliefs of the people & the Catholic doctrines & practices during the
Spanish era halted the growth of Science in the country

American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era

 The Americans have more influence in the development of science & technology in
the Philippines compared to the Spaniards
 They established the public education system
 Improved the engineering works & health conditions of the people
 Established a modern research university, The University of the Philippines
 Created more public hospitals than Spaniards
 The mineral resources were also explored & exploited during American times
 Transportation & communication systems were improved, though not accessible
throughout the country
 They re-organized the learning of science & introduced it in public & private schools
 In Basic Education, science education focuses on nature studies & science and
sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as “Science”
 The teaching of science in higher education has also greatly improved & modernized
 Researches were done to control malaria, cholera, tuberculosis & other tropical
diseases
 The Protestant Church missions in different places in the country also brought
hospitals and schools to far-flung areas
 These efforts built a stronger foundation for science and technology in the country

Marcos Era

 Science was given importance. In the amended 1973 Philippine Constitution, Article
XV, Section 9 (1), Marcos declared that the “advancement of science and technology
shall have priority in the national development”.
 Science was the top reason in economic development in 1968
 Science is necessary for the development programs and directed the Department of
Education (DepEd) in partnership from the National Science Development Board
(NSDB) to revitalize science courses in public high schools
 Promotes the scientific research and invention
 Created the National Grains Authority to provide for the development of the rice and
corn industry to harness it for the economy of the country
 Established the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research to support the progressive
development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the nation
 One of Marcos greatest contribution is the establishment of Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) which function is
to give environmental protection to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of
the people
 Created the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) to promote industrial and
economic development through effective and efficient use of energy sources
 In 1986, he established campuses of Philippine Science High School in the Visayas
and Mindanao.
Fifth Republic

 During President 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
 In 1987-1992 the role of science and technology in the nature economy was
highlighted in the Philippine Development Plan
 During President Fidel Ramos’ 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
 Provided 3,500 scholarships for students who are interested in taking up courses
related to science and technology
 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
 During Ramos’ term Congress was able to enact laws that were significant for the field.
Among were: (1) Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No.
7687) and (2) Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459)
 Republic Act No. 8439 in 1997 which entitled “Magna Carta for science and technology
Personnel”. Its purpose is to give incentives and rewards to people who made an
impact and influential in the field of Science and Technology
 During President Joseph Estrada’s term, the Internet age was pushed for the
advancement of schools and industry. Then under the term of Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo when science and technology reached its golden age
 Signed the Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) and Electronic Commerce
Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792)
 President Estrada launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation
technologies
 “Filipinnovation” was a coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation
hub in Asia during President Arroyo’s term
 Republic Act 10601 was imposed which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector
through Mechanization (AFMech) to improve the efficiency of both land and water

The development of science and technology in the Philippines based on brief history, is
shaped by human and social activities, both internal and external.
 INFLUENCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES

INTERNAL INFLUENCES:

SURVIVAL

CULTURE
DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF SCIENCE
EXTERNAL INFLUENCES: AND
FOREIGN COLONIZERS TECHNOLOGY
IN THE
TRADES WITH FOREIGN
COUNTRIES
PHILIPPINES

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC
DEMANDS

GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 In response to ASEAN 2015 Agenda the government, particularly the DOST (Dept. of
Science & Technology) the expertise of the NCRP (Nat’l Research Council of the
Philippines) to consult various sectors in the society to study how the Philippines can
prepare itself in meeting the ASEAN 2015 goals
 The NCRP clustered these policies into 4:
1. SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES, EDUCATION, INTERNATIONAL POLICIES &
GOVERNANCE
2. PHYSICS, ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH, EARTH & SPACE
SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS
3. MEDICAL, CHEMICALND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
4. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, AGRICULTURE, AND FORESTRY

1. SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES, EDUCATION, INTERNATIONAL POLICIES &

GOVERNANCE

 Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without adding to the curriculum

 Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue
 Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT broadband
 Local food security

2. PHYSICS, ENGINEERING & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH, EARTH & SPACE SCIENCES

& MATHEMATICS

 Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment opportunities

 Outright grants for peer monitoring
  Review of R.A. 9184
 Harnessing science and technology as an Independent mover of development

3. MEDICAL, CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

 Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with ASEAN-harmonized standards

by full implementation of the Food and Drug Administration
 Creating an education council dedicated to standardization of pharmaceutical services
and care
 Empowering food and drug agencies to conduct evidence-based research as pool of
information
 Allocating two percent of the GDP to research
 Legislating a law supporting human genome projects

4. BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, AGRICULTURE, AND FORESTRY

 Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full implementation of existing laws

 Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries
 Promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous people’s conservation
 Formulation of common food and safety standards

There are also other existing programs supported by the Philippine government
through the DOST. Some of these projects are the following:

 Providing funds for basic research and patents related to science & technology. The
government funds basic & applied reaches. Funding of these research & projects are
also from the ODA (Overseas Development Aid) from different countries
 Providing scholarships for undergraduate & graduate studies of students in the field of
sciences & technology
 Establishing more branches of the Philippine Science High School System for training
young Filipinos in the field of science & technology
 Creating science & technology parks to encourage academe & industry partnerships
 Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino scientists abroad to come home & work
in the Philippines or conduct research & projects in collaboration with Philippine-based
scientists
 Developing science & technology parks in academic campuses to encourage
academe and industry partnership
 The establishment of the National Science Complex and National Engineering
Complex within the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman. These aimed to
produce more researches in these fields

The Philippine-American Academy of Science & Engineering (PAASE, 2008) identified

several capacity-building programs such as:
 Establishment of national centers of excellence
 Manpower and institutional development programs such as the Engineering and
Science Education Program (ESEP) to produce more PhD graduates in science and
engineering
  Establishment of Science and Technology business centers to assist, advise, and
incubate technopreneurship ventures
 Strengthen science education at an early stage through the Philippine Science High
School system

In the field of education, several science-related programs and projects were created
to develop the scientific literacy of the country:
 Special Science classes were organized and special elementary schools were
established in different regions.
 The current K-12 program included Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) as one of its major tracks in the senior high school program to
encourage more students to enroll in science-related fields in college.

There are many other areas and fields that the country is looking forward to embark
various research and projects:
1. Use of alternative and safe energy
2. Harnessing mineral resources
3. Finding cure for various diseases and illness
4. Climate change and global warming
5. Increasing food production
6. Preservation of natural resources
7. Coping with natural disasters and calamities
8. Infrastructure development

The Philippine Congress has also created various laws related to science and technology.
These laws serve as legal framework for science and technology in the country. These laws
according to different themes such as:
Conservation, Health-related, technology-building and supporting basic research among
others.
Some laws and policies are in line with international treaties such as the United Nations (UN).
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international agencies
Development of Science and Technology Policies in the Philippines:

Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science

1. Ramon Cabanos Barba – research on tissue culture in Philippine mangoes
2. Josefino Cacas Comiso – his works focused on observing the characteristics of
Antarctica by using Satellite images
3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. – known internationally in the field of electrical engineering; was
elected as officer of the famous Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz – notable for her research on sea snail venom
5. Fabian Millar Dayrit – herbal medicine
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero II – research on tilapia culture
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr – inventing the meconium drugs testing
8. Lilial Formalejo Patena – for research on plant biotechnology
9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz – for being an outstanding educator and graph theorist
10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan – for his research in the field of communication technology
11. Gavino C. Trono – studies on seaweed species

There are also outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad:
 Caesar A. Saloma – an internationally renowned physicist
 Edgardo Gomez – famous scientist in marine science
 William Padolina – chemistry and president of National Academy of Science and
Technology (NAST) – Philippines
 Angel Alcala – marine science
Factors that Influence the Development of Filipino Scientists:
SELF-APPLY

If you were given a chance to create your own invention, what would it be? Why?
 SELF-ASSESSMENT

Identification: Write the correct answer on the space provided before the number.

______________1. TRUE OR FALSE. Before the Spanish colonizers, the early inhabitants
of the archipelago doesn’t have their own culture & traditions.
______________2. Who was the President when the Science and Technology reached the
golden age?
______________3. This had a significant influence on the lives of early Filipinos.

______________4. The period where life slowly became modernized, adapting some
Western technology and their way of life.
______________5. Established the University of the Philippines.

______________6. The period that halted the growth of Science in the country.

______________7. This country was one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia
during the Spanish Era.
______________8. Who established campuses of Philippine Science High School in the
Visayas and Mindanao.
______________9. What is RA 8749?
_____________10. TRUE OR FALSE. Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology
brought by the Americans using indigenous materials
_____________11. TRUE OR FALSE. During Marcos’ Era, the mineral resources were
explored and exploited.
_____________12. This encourage Filipino scientists abroad to come home & work in the
Philippines or conduct research & projects in collaboration with
Philippine-based scientists.
_____________13. Coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation hub in
Asia.
_____________14. This person said that science and technology development shall be one
of the top three priorities of the government towards an economic
recovery.

_____________15. This Function is to give environmental protection to utilize scientific

knowledge to ensure the safety of the people

Instruction: Provide answer to the following. (15 points)

1. ___________ Research on tissue culture in Philippine mangoes.

2. Ancient practices in science and technology are considered now as __________.
3. ____________ an internationally renowned physicist.
4. Basic Education that focuses on nature studies & science and sanitation formally
known as ___________.
5. Policies that clustered by NCRP emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment
opportunities are __________.
6. __________- His works focused on observing the characteristics of Antarctica by
using Satellite images.
 7. ____________ are promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous
people’s conservation.
8. ___________- inventing the meconium drugs testing.
9. ODA means ____________.
10. ___________ Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries.
11. ____________- notable for her research on sea snail venom.
12. ____________- known internationally in the field of electrical engineering; was elected
as officer of the famous Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
13. NCRP means ___________.
14. ___________-famous scientist in marine science.
15. ___________ developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT broadband.

II ENUMERATION: (20 points)

NCRP clustered policies into 4 such as:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Areas and fields that the country is looking forward to embark various research and
projects:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Name at least 8 Famous Scientist in the Field of Science

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Reflection

After reading this module I learned that ____________________________________

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Now, I realized that ___________________________________________________

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