Chapter 3: Science and Technology and Nation-Building

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
 Discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation building;
 Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms of their
contributions to nation building; and
 Identify actual science and technology policies of the government on the development of
the Filipino nation.

Role of Science and Technology in Nation Building

Science and technology are essential for national development because science provides
knowledge and technology applies that knowledge to practical solutions. Their continuous
advancement contributes to modernization and economic growth, transforming communities
from barangays into towns and cities.

Science and technology support important sectors such as medicine, infrastructure, aviation,
electricity, and information technology, making life easier and improving the quality of living.
Nations that fail to develop these areas may struggle to sustain their people and become
dependent on other countries.

For the Philippines to achieve continuous development, science, technology, and engineering
must be strengthened. The youth should be provided with opportunities, resources, motivation,
and support for research and innovation because they will play a major role in advancing the
nation in the future.

Contribution of Science and Technology in Society

Science affects nearly every aspect of human life, including agriculture, medicine, energy,
environmental protection, and global change. Because modern problems are complex, science
must become more multidisciplinary, encouraging cooperation between the natural and social
sciences.

Scientists have a responsibility to use science carefully and consider the social and
environmental consequences of their discoveries. They should communicate scientific findings
clearly to the public and policymakers, especially during natural disasters and environmental
crises, while explaining the limitations and uncertainties of their predictions.

In developing countries like the Philippines, science faces challenges such as limited funding,
fewer researchers, lack of political support, and limited public access to scientific
information. These conditions contribute to the North-South knowledge gap between
developing and industrialized nations. Scientific solutions must also consider local social and
economic problems, such as poverty, health issues, food security, and lack of resources.

Science also faces a conflict between economic growth and sustainable development. While
modern economies continue to depend on fossil fuels and profit-driven activities, science is
increasingly expected to support environmental sustainability, responsible resource management,
and people-centered development.
Overall, science is valuable not only because it produces useful technologies but also
because it helps humanity understand the world, solve problems, protect the environment,
and explore the mysteries of the universe.

Contribution of Science and Technology in the Environment

Computer systems and recycling technologies help reduce paper use, waste, and
environmental damage, contributing to forest conservation and sustainability. Today, global
society has greater access to scientific knowledge, technology, infrastructure, skilled human
resources, businesses, and communication networks, creating opportunities for rapid social
progress.

However, the lack of technology is a major reason for the gap between developed and
developing countries. Developed nations use technology to make life easier and production
more efficient, while many developing countries continue to experience poverty and limited
access to basic needs such as clean water and food.

The introduction of appropriate technologies can greatly improve the quality of life in
developing countries by increasing food production, improving infrastructure and
healthcare, and providing sanitation facilities. Government support and international
organizations can help bring these technologies to communities that need them most.

Government Policies Pertaining to Science and Technology

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the Philippine government agency
responsible for coordinating science and technology programs, developing policies, and
supporting national development.

The country’s long-term framework was the National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP)
2002–2020, which aimed to strengthen productivity, competitiveness, innovation, and scientific
capabilities. Its visions included improving national productivity by 2004, developing world-
class knowledge and expertise by 2010, and producing globally competitive products and
services by 2020.

Nine Strategic Areas of the NSTP

1. Develop specialized industries and clusters.

2. Address urgent national problems such as poverty, health, food, water, energy,
housing, employment, and governance.
3. Develop human resources in science and technology.
4. Support small and medium enterprises.
5. Promote technology transfer and utilization.
6. Improve science and technology infrastructure.
7. Strengthen cooperation among government, industry, academe, society, and
international partners.
8. Improve administrative capacity in science and technology.
9. Promote a strong scientific, technological, and innovative culture.

The National Development Plan 2011–2016 further emphasized improving access to affordable
technologies, providing advanced equipment to industries, using ICT to expand economic
opportunities, and encouraging researchers and engineers to develop innovations.

Eight Expected Outcomes

The DOST strategies aimed to achieve:

1. Science-based agricultural productivity

2. Affordable and innovative technologies for small and medium enterprises
3. Advanced facilities and equipment to strengthen local industries
4. A globally competitive Philippine IT industry
5. Greater access to government services through ICT, particularly in healthcare and
education
6. Improved healthcare and quality of life through scientific innovation
7. Highly skilled and globally competitive science and technology professionals
8. Reliable weather and climate information to support disaster preparedness and climate-
change adaptation

Overall, DOST plays a crucial role in using science, technology, research, and innovation to
address national problems, strengthen the economy, develop human resources, improve
public services, and make the Philippines more competitive and resilient.

Major Developments in Science and Technology in the Philippines

To help the country leapfrog its constraints to growth, USAID has strategically included science,
technology and innovation (STI) in its programming. The US government contributes to the
priorities of the U.S.-Philippines Science and Technology Agreement signed by former U.S.
The USAID in partnership with the DOST instituted the following major developments in
science and technology:
1. Storm surge modelling, training, and study visits National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) scientific centers.
2. Registered 1.3 million fisherfolk to give them access to GPH basic services and help in
fisheries conservation.
3. Use of renewable energy and environment-friendly alternative energy realizing its
guiding vision of “Energy Access for More.” Addressed increasing levels of emissions
due to rapid urbanization. The tools that used maps and geographic systems provided
information on estimate energy use, building needs, transportation and flood hazard
scenarios.
4. Assisted Batangas City in more effective and sustainable local planning.
5. Helped the Philippines to improve its ability to respond to natural disasters and adapt to
the negative impacts of climate change by setting up EWS in flood and landslide prone
communities.
6. Introduced mobile and web-based applications technology.
7. Promoted digital literacy.
8. Helped create an electronic medical record system, which facilitated access to 300,000
patients and generated 700,000 patient consultations, significantly improving delivery of
health services and advise.
9. Initiated support for researching utilization of oxytocin in Uniject, a pre-filled, exact-dose
of oxytocin that provides an efficient alternative to preventing post-partum hemorrhage.
This proven, innovative technology aims to reduce the number of maternal deaths in the
Philippines.
10. Supported research in tuberculosis (TB) in children and the relationship of tobacco and
TB to children.

Major Personalities in Science and Technology in the Philippines

Regine Cabato documented seven (7) Filipino scientists who are “changing the world.” (CNN
Philippines Life).
1. Reina Reyes – astrophysicist
One of Reyes’ passion projects is Pinoy Scientists, a blog that features mostly young Filipino
scientists across different fields and from across the world.
2. Irene Crisologo – radar meteorologist
She is a radar meteorologist based in Postdam, Germany working on open source methods for
processing weather radar data.
3. Julius Sempio – specialist in geoinformatics and remote sensing
He is helping develop an effective archive and database for images coming from Diwata-1, also
known as PHL-Microsat-1, a Philippine microsatellite launched into International Space Station
and the future Diwata-2. These are used in mapping, monitoring the environment and detecting
changes in land features and land usage.
4. Andreia Carillo – astrophysicist
She is from Bulacan but is now based in Austin in the United States where she is finishing a
doctorate degree at the University of Texas.
5. Kamela Ng – molecular epidemiologist
She splits her time between the Institute of Tropical Medicine at Antwerp in the Netherlands,
Belgium and the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Her current research is focused on
the early detection of drug resistant-tuberculosis transmission.
6. Migs Canilao – anthropologist and archaeologist
He specializes in environmental and urban geography. He is completing his studies at the
University of Illinois in Chicago where his research involves using high resolution satellite
imagery to track ancient gold trading trails and settlements in Northwestern Luzon.
7. Sarah Oliva – geophysicist
She is a geophysicist based in Tulane, New Orleans, United States. From Naga City (Camarines
Sur), she had a background in physics and material science but preferred geology because her
dad is geologist.

List of Famous Filipino Biologists

These Filipinos have made and are making contributions in their fields of study. Because of their
work, research, and inventions, these biologists have made it to the top of the list of famous
Filipino biologists.
(Source: [Link]
1. Angel C. Alcala
Angel C. Alcala worked for the conservation of tropical marine resources and invented artificial
coral reefs that are to be used for fisheries in Southeast Asia. He is known for his research on
Philippine amphibians and reptiles which led to the addition of 50 new species.
2. Benjamin D. Cabrera
Benjamin D. Cabrera has been involved in medical parasitology and public health and has
published over 100 scientific studies. He has developed innovative drug treatments for mosquito-
borne diseases. He earned the Philippine Legion of Honor for his work with filariasis, a parasitic
disease. He also worked on controlling ascariasis, a human disease caused by a parasitic
roundworm.
3. Pedro B. Escuro
Pedro B. Escuro has achieved fame as a plant breeder. He developed high-yield varieties of C4
rice that was hardy against diseases and pests. His varieties are high quality rice and have good
flavor.
4. Edgardo Gomez
Edgardo Gomez researches marine ecosystems and is a well-known marine biologist. His work
on coral reefs led to saving the true giant clam from extinction.
5. Bienvenido O. Juliano
Bienvenido O. Juliano has spent much of his life improving the grain quality of rice. He made
the rice more economical and more nutritious. He developed a method of evaluating grain
quality and is a senior consultant for the Philippine Rice Research Institute.
6. Milagrosa R. Martinez
Milagrosa R. Martinez is a pioneer in the field of micro-algaeculture. Milagrosa researched in the
field of phycology and studied nostoc commune and chlorella.
7. Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza
Evelyn Mae T. Mendoza has performed research in plant biochemistry, particularly in the
makapuno phenotype of coconut and the nutritional worth of certain legumes indigenous to the
Philippines, cassava, and sweet potatoes. She also studied the resistance of certain plants to pests
or diseases.
8. Baldomero Olivera, Jr.
Baldomero Olivera, Jr. has conducted research in the fields of molecular biology and
biochemistry and he has isolated key DNA enzymes. His discovery of Conus peptides may lead
to drugs for pain and nervous system disorders.
9. Eduardo Quisumbing
Eduardo Quisumbing is an authority of Philippine plants. He has published numerous papers,
many concerning medicinal plants, like orchids. He has received many awards, like the
Distinguished Service Star (botany) and the Diploma of Merit (Orchidology).
10. Asuncion Raymundo
Asuncion Raymundo is a researcher into the chemistry of natural products. She applied
biotechnology and microbial genetics to agriculture of the Philippines. She is an Academician of
NAST, the National Academy of Science and Technology, and is on the advisory group of
science and technology to the Office of the President.
11. Reynald[o] A. Tabada
Reynaldo A. Tabada has made contributions in air pollution and water resources. This was
namely assessing the environmental impact of pollutants from thermal power plants that use
coal,
12. Carmen Velasquez
Carmen Velasquez has studied parasites and their hosts in fish, or fish parasitology. She
discovered 32 species and one genus of digenetic trematodes on fish populations. She also
discovered two new trematode species on birds and five on mammals. She also discovered a
parasitic copepod and two new species of nematodes.
13. Benito S. Vergara
Benito S. Vergara is an expert on the flowering response of rice to photoperiodism and
physiology. His research has led to improvement of deep water rice, rice that is tolerant to floods
and cold temperatures, and increased production.
14. Prescillano M. Zamora
Prescillano M. Zamora has done work on the xylem elements of vascular plants. His research on
ferns has led to the discovery of additional species. He has also contributed to the conservation
of natural resources and environment policy research.

Science Education in the Philippines

(Written by M.E. Rabino, Oct.8, 2014 with modification)

The Philippines continues to face serious challenges in science and mathematics education.
Filipino students have consistently performed poorly in national and international assessments,
with science often being one of the most difficult subjects. The country’s low rankings indicate a
significant gap compared with other Southeast Asian and developed nations.

Several factors contribute to this poor performance, including:

 Inadequate science curriculum and teaching methods

 Insufficient textbooks, laboratory equipment, and instructional materials
 Lack of teacher training and subject-matter mastery
 Limited funding for education
 Overcrowded classrooms, which reduce teacher-student interaction
 Weak mastery of basic science skills and concepts among students

Limited educational funding also affects the quality of facilities and resources available to
Filipino learners. Research involving science teachers showed that the lack of equipment and
facilities makes it difficult to conduct effective, hands-on scientific activities.

To improve science education, several teaching approaches are recommended. Project-based

learning provides students with hands-on experiences and opportunities to solve real-world
problems. Lecture-based instruction, supported by visual materials and graphic organizers, can
help students understand complex concepts. Meanwhile, inquiry-based learning encourages
students to investigate problems, participate in activities, ask questions, work collaboratively,
and develop critical-thinking skills.

Overall, improving science education requires better resources, well-trained and

knowledgeable teachers, appropriate teaching strategies, manageable class sizes, and
stronger support for scientific learning. Future educators must be innovative, creative, and
committed to developing students’ scientific skills so that the Philippines can improve its
position in science and technology and contribute to national development.

Selected Indigenous Science and Technology

The Ifugao people of the Cordillera Region have preserved traditional indigenous knowledge
and practices that support forest sustainability and environmental protection. Their culture
recognizes the strong connection between forests and rice terraces, leading them to practice
sustainable land and resource management.

Their traditional practices include respecting customary land laws, conserving soil and water,
managing forests for wood and fuel, and protecting biodiversity. However, these indigenous
knowledge systems are gradually disappearing because of changing needs and the introduction of
modern farming technologies.

Therefore, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders should continue supporting
programs that preserve and promote the traditional knowledge, cultural heritage,
environmental practices, and landscapes of the Ifugao people.