HISTORICAL

DEVELOPMENTS OF
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
 Pre-­Spanish Era
Analysis from archeological artifacts revealed that the first
inhabitants in the archipelago who settled in Palawan and
Batangas around 40, 000 years ago have made simple tools
or weapons of stone which eventually developed techniques
for sawing, drilling and polishing hard stones.
They have come to understand that when clay is mixed with
water and then shape into something before sun drying, it
hardens to an object that can be useful to them.
As the early Filipino flourished, they have learned how
to extract, smelt and refine metals like copper, gold,
bronze and iron from nature and consequently fashion
them into tools and implements.

Inhabitants also learned how to weave cotton, engaged

themselves in agriculture and are knowledgeable on
building boats for coastal trade.
 Spanish Colonial Era
 As claimed by Caoili (1983), the beginnings of modern
science and technology in the country can be traced back
to the Spanish regime because they established schools,
hospitals and started scientific research that had
important consequences in the development of the
country.
The charity hospitals became the breeding ground for
scientific researches on pharmacy and medicine.
 1887- Laboratorio Municipal de Ciudad de Manila
was created and whose functions were to conduct
biochemical analysis for public health and to undertake
specimen examinations for clinical and medico-­legal
cases.
Its publication, probably the first scientific journal in the
country was titled Cronica de Ciencias Medicas de
Filipinas showed the studies undertaken during that
time.

As the colonization of the Spaniards lengthened, they

began to exploit the natural
resources of the country through agriculture, mining of
metals and minerals and establishing various kinds of
industries to further promote economic growth.
By the nineteenth century, Manila has become a
cosmopolitan center and modern amenities were
introduced to the city.
The modern amenities introduced in the 19th century are:
Steam tramways
Water works
Newspaper
Electric lights
Banking system
 American Period
 The Philippines saw a rapid growth during the American
occupation and was made possible by the government’s
extensive public education system from elementary to
tertiary schools
 The growth and application of science were still
concentrated on the health sector in the form of
biochemical analysis in hospitals.
The government supported basic and applied research in
the medical, agricultural and related sciences.
 The University of the Philippines Los Baños opened the
College of Agriculture in 1909
 the University of the Philippines – Diliman opened the
Colleges of Arts, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine
in 1910.
 The College of Medicine was opened in 1914
Capacity building programs that include sending
qualified Filipinos abroad for advanced training were
conducted to eventually fill up the teaching positions in
Philippine universities.
The government provided more support for the
development of science and created the Bureau of
Government Laboratories in and was later changed to
Bureau of Science. It was composed of a biological
laboratory, chemical
laboratory, serum laboratory for the production of virus
vaccine, serums and prophylactics, and a library.
Another great contribution of the Bureau of Science to
the development of science and technology in the
country was the publication of the Philippine Journal of
Science.
The Bureau of Science became the primary research
center of the Philippines until World War II.

December 8, 1933 - the National Research Council

of the Philippines was established.
 Commonwealth Period
 During the Commonwealth period, where a
transitional government was established for
Philippine’s eventual independence, the
Constitution actually acknowledged the
importance of science and technology.
 Other government corporations and councils were created,
such as:
 National Economic Council – gives economic policy
advice to the President
 National Power Corporation - as a vertically integrated
power utility engaged in the production, transmission
and distribution of electric power
 National Development Company- developed, financed
and implemented pioneering projects vital to the
sustainability of the government's structural
reforms and economic policies
 National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation- ensure a
permanent, sufficient and balanced production of
abaca and other fibers for the requirements of the
local industry and for exportation.
 Science and Technology since
Independence
1946 - the Bureau of Science was replaced by the
Institute of Science and was placed under the Office of
the President of the Philippines.
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 (NSDB).
Likewise, during this time, rebuilding the country
involved establishing more state funded manual
and trading schools which would eventually
become the current state universities and colleges.
The increase in the number of graduates led to the
rise of professional organizations of scientists and
engineers.
Science and Technology in the
1960s to 1990s
On April 6, 1968, Pres. Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed the 35-­
hectare land in Bicutan Taguig as the site of the Philippine
Science Community.
1969 - the government provided funds to private universities
to encourage them to conduct research and create courses in
science and technology.
1972- by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 4, the
National Grains Authority was created. It was tasked to
improve the rice and corn industry and thereby help in the
economic development of the country.

This was followed by the creation of Philippine Council

for Agricultural Research to support the progressive
development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in the
country.
The Marcos administration also established the
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical
Service Administration (PAGASA) under the Department
of National Defense.

1973 - Philippine National Oil Company was created by

virtue of Presidential Decree No. 334, s. 1973, to promote
industrial and economic development through effective
and efficient use of energy sources.
the National Academy of Science and Technology was
established under Presidential Decree No. 1003-­A, s.
1976.

1986 - under the Aquino administration, the National

Science and Technology Authority was replaced by the
Department of Science and Technology, giving science
and technology a representation in the cabinet.
With the agency's elevation to full cabinet stature by virtue
of Executive Order 128 signed on 30 January 1987, the
functions and responsibilities of DOST expanded
correspondingly to include the following:
(1)Pursue the declared state policy of supporting local
scientific and technological effort
(2)Develop local capability to achieve technological self-­
reliance;
 (3) Encourage greater private sector participation in research
and development.

Under the Ramos administration, DOST established the

“Science and Technology Agenda for National Development
(STAND)”, a program that was significant to the field of
S&T. It identified seven export products, 11 domestic needs,
three other supporting industries, and the coconut industry as
priority investment areas.
The seven identified export products:
1. computer software
2. fashion accessories
3. gifts, toys, and houseware
4. marine products;
5. metal fabrications
6. furniture
7. and dried fruits.
11 domestic needs:
\

1.Food 7. defense
2.Housing 8. environment
3.Health 9. manpower development
4.Clothing 10. energy
5.Transportation 11. communication
6.disaster mitigation
Three additional support industries:

Packaging Chemicals Metals

 In the Gloria Macapagal-­Arroyo administration,
numerous laws and projects were implemented which
concerns both the environment and science to push
technology as a tool to increase the country’s economic
level.

 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.