Chapter 3

Science, Technology and Nation-Building

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:

1. Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in their daily living;

2. Present government policies on science and technology and explain their importance
to nation; and

3. Discuss the role of science and technology in nation-building.

The development of science and technology in the Philippines has already come a long
way. Many significant inventions and discoveries have been accomplished by or attributed to
Filipinos. This chapter tackles how the development of science and technology affect the
development of the Philippines as a nation.

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

Scientific and technological development in the Philippines began in the pre-colonial

period. Even before the Spaniards came to the Philippine island, early Filipino settlers were
already using certain plants and herbs as medicines. Systems of farming and animal-raising
were also implemented. Moreover, early Filipinos had also developed different modes of
transportation, whether terrestrial or maritime.

A complicated engineering feat was achieved by the natives of the Cordilleras when they
built rice terraces by hand. Through these terraces, the people were able to cultivate crops on
the mountainsides in cold temperatures. They incorporated an irrigation system that uses water
from the forests and mountain tops to achieve an elaborate farming system. The rice terraces of
the Cordilleras, which are still functional, show the innovative and ingenious way of the natives
to survive in an otherwise unfriendly environment.

Science and technology in the Philippines had its beginnings during the pre-colonial
times. During this period, people used herbal medicines. Business: use of the alphabet,
numbers, weighing and measurement systems, and calendar. Farming, building of ships, mining
minerals and weaving for clothing were the first skills developed by Filipinos for livelihood. In
some cases, the techniques Filipino developed for livelihood purposes resulted in majestic
architectural design hat manage to attract worldwide attention, a superb architectural design like
the Banaue Rice Terraces of Ifugao.
 Figure 25. Usage of herbs – Pre-Spanish era Figure 26. Banaue Rice Terraces
([Link]) ([Link])

COLONIAL PERIOD

Colonization by the Spaniards provided the Philippines with modern means of

construction. Walls, roads, bridges, and other large infrastructure were built using some of the
engineering skills and tools brought by the Spaniards. In addition, the Spanish Government
developed health and education systems that were enjoyed by the principalia class.

The American occupation modernized almost all aspects of life in the Philippines. For
example, the former Laboratorio Municipal was replaced by the Bureau of Government
Laboratories under the United State Department of Interior. The Bureau was established for the
purpose of studying tropical diseases and pursuing other related research projects. Eventually
in 1905, the Bureau was changed to Bureau of Science, which became the main research
center of the Philippines. In 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was
established. Developments in science and technology during the American regime were
focused on agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, food processing and forestry. In 1946, the
Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science.

During the Spanish Colonial Period, science and technology developed through the
establishment of formal education and creation of scientific organizations. Schools were
mandated to teach religion, mathematics, reading and writing, and music and arts. Health and
sanitation were also taught to locals. Innovative approaches on farming. Medicine and biology
were given focused. Focused on engineering: construction of buildings, churches, bridges,
roads and forts Trade was prioritized due to possible bigger profits.

Figure 27. University of Santo Figure

Tomas 28. Religion was taught
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 POST-COLONIAL PERIOD

After achieving independence from the colonizers, the Philippines under different
administrations, continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each leadership had
its own science and technology agenda. However it is important to note that some Philippine
presidents posted more developments in the field than others.

When the American came, institution for science and technology were reorganized as
well. The former Laboratorio Municipal was replaced by the Bureau of Government
Laboratories under the United States’ Department of Interior. The Bureau was established for
the purpose of studying tropical diseases and other related research projects. In 1905, the
Bureau was changed to Bureau of Science, which became the main research center of the
Philippines. In 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was established.
Developments in science and technology during the American Regime were focused on
agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, food processing and forestry. In 1946 the Bureau of
Science was substituted by the Institute of Science.

Figure 29. Bureau ofFigure

Science30.([Link])
Medicine ([Link])

During the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the role of science and
technology in national development was emphasized. He mandated Department of Education to
do a promotion of science courses in public high schools. Budget for research projects in
applied sciences and science education was granted by Marcos. A big chunk of the war
damage fund from the Japanese was donated for private universities and colleges for the
creation of courses related to S&T and to promote research. The 35-hectare lot in Bicutan,
Taguig, Rizal was proclaimed in 1968 as the Philippine Science Community now the site of
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Seminars, workshops, training programs
and scholarships on fisheries and oceanography were sponsored by the government. The
Philippine Coconut ResearchInstitute (PHILCORIN), was tasked to promote the
modernization of coconut industry. Several agencies and organization were then established
like the Philippine Textile Research Institute, Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (now the
Philippine Nuclear Institute), National Grains Authority (now National Food Authority), Philippine
Council for Agricultural Research (now the Philippine council for Agriculture, Aquatic and
National Resources Research and Development), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippine National Oil Company, Plant
Breeding Institute, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau
of Forest Products, National Committee on Geological Sciences, National Science Development
Board (NSDB), and National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) IN 1981. IN 1976,
Marcos established the National Academy of Science and technology (NAST) to be the
reservoir of scientific and technological expertise in the country. Mindanao and Visayas
campuses of the Philippine Science High School were built and operated.
Figure 31. Department of Science and Figure 32. Research on coconut
Technology (DOST) ([Link]) ([Link])

Figure 33. NAST ([Link])

In 1986, President Corazon Aquino replaced the National Science and Technology
Authority to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for S&T to be represented in
the cabinet. The S&T to have part on sustainable economic recovery and growth. The Science
and Technology Master Plan aimed to update the production sector, improve research
activities, and develop infrastructure used for S&T.

In 1987, during the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippines had approximately
3,000 competent scientists and engineers. The "Doctors to the Barrio Program” brought an
improvement of life expectancy from 67.5 years to 69.1
years between 1992 to 1995. Incentives were given to
people who played significant role in science and technology
sector. National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in
Science and Technologywas created for high school
students who wanted to major in science and engineering in
college. It was also during Ramos’ term that the number of
law and statutes related to the science and technology
sector were mandated such as Republic Act (RA) No. 8439:
Magna Carta for S&T Personnel; RA No. 7687: S&T
Scholarship Law of 1994; RA No. 7459: Inventors and
Inventions Incentives Act; and RA No. 8293: The Intellectual
Property Code of the Philippines. Figure 34. “The Doctor’s to the Barrio
([Link])
 RA No. 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and RA No. 8792: Electronic
Commerce Act of 2000 were both signed and mandated during the term of President Joseph E.
Estrada. He was also responsible in implementing cost-effective irrigation technologies,
distribution of basic health care, nutrition, and education for those who were willing but could not
afford. He also laid down a 15-year modernization program of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines.

Figure 35. ([Link]) Modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces by

Pres. Joseph E. Estrada ([Link])

During the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Science, Technology and

Innovations (STI) was developed to strengthen the educational system and to address poverty.
"Filipinnovation" was coined that aimed to make the Philippines an innovation hub in Asia.
Arroyo also promulgated RA No. 9367: "Biofuels" Act to utilize indigenous materials as source
of energy while having cleaner emissions. It was Arroyo’s term that farmers were encouraged to
use rice that can withstand environmental hazards. RA No. 10601: Agriculture and Fisheries
Sector through Mechanization (AFMech) was also passed that aimed to modernize agricultural
and fisheries machinery and equipment.

Figure 36: Filipinnovation

In 2014, President Benigno Aquino, Jr. named new National Scientists:

a. Gavino C. Trono, for Marine Biology, who studied seaweed species

b. Angel C. Alcala, for Biological Sciences, who pioneered on coral reefs
c. Ramon C. Barba, for Horticulture, who changed the seasonal supply of mangoes
d. Edgardo D. Gomez, for Marine Biology, who spearheaded the assessment of damaged
coral reefs and their conservation
NAME: ______________________________ DATE SUBMMITED: _________________
COURSE SECTION: ____________________ RATING: __________________________

Exercise 3. Philippine Science and Technology Innovation

Instructions: answer the following questions.

1. Trace the development of science and technology from the Pre-colonial times up to the
present. What have you observed?

2. What do you think are the major contributions of science and technology to Philippine
nation building?

3. What specific government policy do you like the most in terms of contributing to the
development of science and technology in the Philippines?

4. What do you think are the major contributions of the Philippines to the field at present?

5. What policies do you want the government to implement in the near future?
NAME: ______________________________ DATE SUBMMITED: _________________
COURSE SECTION: ____________________ RATING: __________________________

Assignment 3. The fate of the Philippine science and technology Innovation

Instructions: Research on the Presidents after Marcos presidency. Identify some

achievements in the field of science and technology under their administration and trace how
they helped shape the Philippines as a nation. Post your findings on our Facebook group
through a 3-5 minute creative video presentation.