Topic No.

and Title: Topic 2: Science, Technology, and Nation-Building

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, the learner can:
LO1. Discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation-building;
LO2. Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms of their
contributions to nation-building; and
LO3. Identify actual science and technology policies of the government and appraise their
impact on the development of the Filipino nation.

Contents
Brief Historical Background of Science and 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 coming of the Spanish colonizers, the
early inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture and traditions. They had their own belief
system that kept them organized and sustained their lives and communities for many years.

Science, in pre-Spanish Philippines, is embedded in the way of life of the people. Scientific knowledge
is observed in the way they plant their crops that provide them food, in taking care of animals to
help them in their daily tasks, and for food production. Science is observed in the way they interpret
the movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates, and in organizing days into
months and years. They use science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes and like any
other ancient cultures; they discovered the medicinal uses of plants.

Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing tools that they can
use in everyday life. They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for fighting
their enemies during war or tribal conflicts; and for transportation, both on land and on waterways.
They also developed technologies in creating musical instruments.

The different archaeological artifacts discovered in different parts of the country also prove that the
Metal Age also had a significant influence on the lives of early Filipinos. The sophisticated designs
of gold and silver jewelry, ceramics, and metal tools proved that their technological ideas helped in
the development of different tools. Also, trading with China, Indonesia, Japan, and other nearby
countries have influenced their lives by providing different opportunities for cultural and
technological exchange.

All these ancient practices in science and technology are considered now as indigenous science or
folk science.

When the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought with them their own culture and practices.
They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and disciplines.
It was the beginning of formal science and technology in the country, known now as the school of
science and technology.

Learning science in school focuses on understanding different concepts related to the human body,
plants, animals, and heavenly bodies. Technology focuses on using and developing house tools used
in everyday life.

Life during the Spanish era slowly became modernized, adapting some Western technology and their
ways of life. The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology brought by the Spaniards using
indigenous materials. Medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal colleges and
universities established by the Catholic orders.

The galleon trade has brought additional technology and development in the Philippines. Although
it is only beneficial for the Spaniards, these trades allowed other ideas, crops, tools, cultural
practices, technology, and Western practices to reach the countries. Some Filipino students who
were able to study in Europe also contributed to the advancement of medicine, engineering, arts,
music, and literature in the country.

The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia during that time, was
considered to be one of the most developed places in the region. Although the country is blessed
with these developments, the superstitious beliefs of the people and the Catholic doctrines and
practices during the Spanish era halted the growth of science in the country.

The Americans have more influence in the development of science and technology in the Philippines
compared to the Spaniards. They established the public education system, improved the engineering
works and the health conditions of the people. They established a modern research university, the
University of the Philippines, and created more public hospitals than the former colonial master.
The mineral resources of the country were explored and exploited during American times.
Transportation and communication systems were improved, though not accessible throughout the
country.

The Americans did everything to “Americanize” the Philippines. They recognized the learning of
science and introduced it in public and private schools. In basic education, science education
focused on nature studies and science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as
“Science.” The teaching of science in higher education has also greatly improved and modernized.
Research was done to control malaria, cholera, tuberculosis and other tropical diseases.

The desire of the Americans to develop the human resources of the Philippines to serve their own
interests is, somehow, beneficial in the country. These allowed American scholars to introduce new
knowledge and technology in the country. The Protestant church missions in different places in the
country also brought hospitals and schools to far-flung areas. Little by little, these efforts built a
stronger foundation for science and technology in the country.
However, World War II has destabilized the development of the country in many ways. Institutions
and public facilities were turned into ashes, houses were burned, and many lives were destroyed.
The country had a difficult time rebuilding itself from the ruins of the war. The human spirit to
survive and rebuild the country may be strong but the capacity of the country to bring back what
was destroyed was limited. The reparation funds focused on building some institutions and public
facilities like schools, hospitals, and transportation systems.

Since the establishment of the new republic, the whole nation has been focusing on using its limited
resources in improving its science and technological capability. It has explored the use of ODA or
Overseas Development Allocations from different countries to help the country improve its scientific
productivity and technological capability. Human resource development is at the heart of these
efforts focusing on producing more engineers, scientists, technology experts, doctors and other
professionals in the country.

The development of science and technology in the Philippines, based on its brief history, is shaped
by several factors and influences. Like in the history of science in other countries, it is always shaped
by human and social activities, both internal and external.

Internal Influences
Survival
Culture
Economic Activities Development of
Science and
Technology in the
Philippines

External Influences
Foreign Colonizers
Trade with Foreign Countries
International Economic Demands

Figure 1. Influences in the Development of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Science and technology may have a significant impact on the lives of the people and in the
development of Philippine society. However, improving the quality of science education still remains
a big challenge in the country. School science from basic education to graduate education is
improving slowly, and there are only a few students enrolling in science and technology courses.

Government Policies on Science and Technology

The Philippine government introduced and implemented several programs, projects, and policies to
boost the area of science and technology. The goal is to prepare the whole country and its people to
meet the demands of a technologically driven world and capacitate the people to live in a world
driven by science.
Padilla-Concepcion (2015) reported that in 2015, in response to the ASEAN 2015 Agenda, the
government, particularly the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has sought the
expertise of the National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to consult various sectors in
the society to study how the Philippines can prepare itself in meeting the ASEAN 2015 Goals. As a
result of the consultation, the NCRP is expected to recommend policies and programs that will
improve the competitiveness of the Philippines in the ASEAN Region.

The NCRP clustered these policies into four, namely:

1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies

and 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 and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences, and Mathematics
● Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment opportunities
● Outright grants for peer monitoring
● Review of RA. 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 and technology. The
government funds basic and applied research.
● Providing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies of students in the field of
science and technology.
 ● Establishing more branches of the Philippine Science High School System for training young
Filipinos in the field of science and technology
● Creating science and technology parks to encourage academe and industry partnerships.
● Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino scientists abroad to come home and work in
the Philippines or conduct research and projects in collaboration with Philippine -based
scientists.
● The establishment of the National Science Complex and National Engineering Complex
within the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman.

The Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE, 2008) identified several
capacity-building programs such as:

● Establishment of national centers of excellence

● Manpower and institutional development programs, such the Engineering and Science
Education Program (ESEP) to produce more PhD graduates in science and engineering
● Establishment of regional centers to support specific industries that will lead the country in
different research and development areas
● 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 science elementary schools were established in
different regions. Aside from these, science and mathematics in basic education were continuously
improved. The current K to 12 education 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.

Lately, the Commission on Higher Education launched its Philippine-California Advanced Research
Institutes (PICAR) Project to allow several higher education institutions in the Philippines and some
US-based laboratories, research institutes, and universities to work on research and projects related
to science, agriculture engineering, health, and technology. This project is hoped to strengthen the
STEM competitiveness of the country.

There are many other areas and fields that the country is looking forward to embarking on various
research and projects. The following are some of them:
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 a legal framework for science and technology in the country. These laws vary 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.

National Goals
SCIENCE AND
International Treaty TECHNOLOGY

✓ Policies
Legal Frameworks ✓ Programs
✓ Projects

Social Needs, Issues & Problems

Figure 2. Development of Science and Technology Policies in the Philippines

As shown in the diagram, the development of policies in science and technology is shaped or
influenced by several variables: policies need to be aligned to national goals, consider international
commitments based on legal frameworks, and respond to various social needs, issues, and
problems. Science and technology policies ensure that the whole country and all people will
experience the progress that science can bring. Policies are guides to direct all efforts to a goal of
developing a scientifically advanced country.

Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science

School science is filled with names of foreign scientists: Einstein, Galileo Galilei, Newton, Faraday,
Darwin, and many other Western scientists. We rarely hear of Filipino scientists being discussed in
science classes. Lee-Chua (2000) identified 10 outstanding Filipino scientists who have made
significant contributions in Philippine science. These scientists are also famous abroad, especially
in different science disciplines: agriculture, mathematics, physics, medicine, marine science,
chemistry, engineering, and biology.
These Filipino scientists are:

Scientist Work/s or Research

For his outstanding research on tissue culture in
1. Ramon Cabanos Barba
Philippine mangoes
for his works on observing the characteristics of
2. Josefino Cacas Comiso
Antarctica by using satellite images
known internationally in the field of electrical
3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. 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 for his research on herbal medicine
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III for his research on tilapia culture
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. for inventing the meconium drugs testing
8. Lilian Formalejo Patena for doing research on plant biotechnology
9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz for being an outstanding educator and graph theorist
for his research in the field of communications
10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan
technology

There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad for their
outstanding contributions in science:

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

There are other scientists in the Philippines who were not identified in the list. Yet, the Philippines
still need more scientists and engineers, and there is a need to support scientific research in the
country. The University of the Philippines-Los Baños is a science paradise for agriculture, forestry,
plant and animal science, and veterinary science. It has produced numerous scientists and various
research in the fields mentioned. The University of the Philippines-Visayas is also a national center
for marine science, fisheries, and other related sciences. The University of the Philippines-Manila is
a center of excellence and produced many researchers, doctors, health professionals, and scientists
in the area of medical and public health. The University of the Philippines - Diliman also has
established a national science and engineering complex to develop more research and produce more
scientists and engineers in the country. The government must find ways to establish more research
laboratories and research institutes. There is also a need to find ways on how their researches are
disseminated in the public.
Many of these Filipino scientists are products of good school science. It means they were taught and
inspired by great teachers. Their interests in science started to manifest during their childhood
years. Their natural environment ignited their curiosity to learn more about the natural and physical
environment. Schools and the laboratories where they studied and worked nurtured this.

Individual Interests SCHOOL

in Science SCIENCE
SCIENCE
LABORATORIES

Family
( TEACHERS AND
LEARNING (REAL-LIFE
ENVIRONMENT) CONTEXT)
Natural
Environment

FILIPINO SCIENTISTS

Figure 3. Factors that Influence Development of Filipino Scientists

Many Filipino scientists, whether they are in the country or abroad, always excel in their job. The
Filipino spirit in their souls has never faded. They continue to bring honor to the country. They
make ordinary things in an extraordinary way. They are always at par with other scientists in spite
of the limited facilities we have here in the country.
Enhancement Activity 2

References

Conception, G.P. (Editor). (2012). Science Philippines: Essays in Science by Filipinos

Volumes 1-3. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.
Conception, G.P., Padlan, E.A. & Saloma, C.A. (Editors). (2008). Selected Essays on Science
and Technology for Securing a Better Philippines. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the
Philippines Press.
Lee-Chua, Q. (2000). 10 Outstanding Filipino Scientists. Quezon City: Anvil Publishing.
Padilla-Conception, G. (2015). Science Philippines: Essays on Science by Filipinos Volume
III. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.
Philippine-American Association for Science and Engineering (2008). “Science and
Technology in Economic Development.” In Selected Essays on Science and Technology
for Securing a Better Philippines. 1.6-9.