BINALBAGAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Binalbagan, Negros Occidental

College of Education

COURSE GUIDE

Science, Technology and Society

Module 3: Science and Technology and Nation-Building

This module will enable you to realize 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 through
concept paper.
OBJECTIVES 1. Discuss the role of Science and Technology in Philippine nation building;
2. Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms of
their contributions to nation building, and
3. Identify actual science and technology policies of the government and appraise
their impact on the development of the Filipino nation.
CONTENT A. The Philippine Government Science and Technology Agenda
B. Science Education in the Philippines
C. Major Development Programs and personalities in Science and Technology in the
Philippines
COURSE MATERIAL Mabagos, M. (2018). The Philippine Government Science and Technology Agenda.
Department of Scince and Technology. Retrieved from
[Link]
technologyagenda/
Malte von Bargen, Malte von Bargen, Deckungsstockvermögen, Vermögensanlage in der
Versicherungswirtschaft, 10.1007/978-3-663-12953-0, (516-521), (1982)

[Link] -of-presentation1-21428045
TIME FRAME 3 hours
LESSON PROPER
ENGAGE According to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa,
Nation-building is the process whereby a society of people with diverse origins,
histories, languages, cultures and religions come together within the boundaries of a
sovereign state with a unified constitutional and legal dispensation, a national public
education system, an integrated national economy, shared symbols and values, as
equals, to work towards eradicating the divisions and injustices of the past; to foster
unity; and promote a countrywide conscious sense of being proudly South African,
committed to the country and open to the continent and the world.

STUDY Discussion Questions

1) How does science and technology become and essential aspects in
nationbuilding?
2) How can policies and pertinent legislations improve the role of science and
technology in the development of the Philippines?
3) What is the impact of the major developments made by Filipino proponents in
sustaining and supporting nation-building?
ACTIVATE PERFORMANCE TASK – MODULE 3
Write your answers in a separate long-size bond paper.

Create a concept model of an object or device that is not yet available for use in the
entire country. The goal is to make an invention to address various problems and to
make life easier and more convenient. The concept model should be original and must
include:
1. Name
2. Materials
 3. Purpose
4. Reason for the invention
EVALUATION Written Test, Oral Recitation
CONSULTATION FB Account: Rye
HOURS AND FB Account Link: [Link] Email
MENTOR’S LINKS Address: ryantvillasis@[Link]

Prepared by:

ARGIELENE D. ARDIENTE, LPT TONY B. LAZAGA, LLB, MAED

RYAN T. VILLASIS, MPM
GE 6 Instructors
I. The Philippine Government Science and Technology
Agenda

The need to develop a country's science and technology has generally been recognized as one of the
imperatives of socioeconomic progress in the contemporary world. This has become a widespread concern
of governments especially since the post-world war II years. Among Third World countries, an important
dimension of this concern is the problem of dependence in science and technology as this is closely tied up
with the integrity of their political sovereignty and economic self-reliance.

Science and Technology in the Philippines

• The Department of Science and Technology in the Philippines is a government agency tasked with
overseeing and managing national technology development and acquisition, undertaking
technological and scientific research and promoting public consciousness of science and
technology.

• DST is responsible for formulating and adopting a comprehensive National Science and Technology
Plan for the Philippines, and to subsequently monitor and coordinate its funding and implementation.

• The DST undertakes policy research, technology assessment, feasibility and technical studies and
maintains a national information system and databank on science and technology.

HISTORY

Pre-Spanish Colonial Period

Before the colonization by the Spaniards in the Philippine islands, the natives of the archipelago already
had practices linked to science and technology. Filipinos were already aware of the medicinal and
therapeutic properties of plants and the methods of extracting medicine from herbs. The Banaue Rice
Terraces are among the sophisticated products of engineering by pre-Spanish era Filipinos.

Spanish Colonial Period

The colonization of the Philippines contributed to growth of science and technology in the archipelago. The
Spanish introduced formal education and founded scientific institution. During the early years of Spanish
rule in the Philippines. Parish schools were established where religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and
music was taught. Sanitation and more advanced methods of agriculture was taught to the natives.

American Period and Post-Commonwealth era

The progress of science and technology in the Philippines continued under American rule of the islands. On
July 1, 1901 The Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories which was
placed under the Department of Interior. The Bureau replaced the Laboratorio Municipal, which was
established under the Spanish colonial era.
The Bureau dealt with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. On October 26, 1905, the
Bureau of Government Laboratories was replaced by the Bureau of Science and on December 8, 1933, the
National Research Council of the Philippines was established. The Bureau of Science became the primary
research center of the Philippines until World War II.

Marcos Era and Martial Law

During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, the importance given to science grew in the amended 1973
Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 9 , he declared that the "advancement of science and
technology shall have priority in the national development." In his two terms of presidency and during
Martial Law, he enacted many laws promoting science and technology.

SCIENTIST AS ADVOCATES

• Scientists and technologists are essential in a developing world. They are one of the key players in
a country's quest for industrialization. They are the lifeblood of research, innovation and have
important roles in the industry and the manufacturing sector. Together with their roles in nation-
building, scientists, too, have a responsibility to advocate for the betterment of S&T in their
countries.

• For the Philippines, in order to halt the vicious cycle of technological backwardness and poverty, it is
important that scientists and technologists themselves be aware of the sad plight of S&T in the
country and to advocate for its improvement.

INNOVATION CULTURE

What recent success we have with the saltwater lamp, the salamander tricycle and the Diwata 1
microsatellite is a good start but only indicates that we have a long way to go before we create an
innovation culture. Innovation can only happen with enough scientists and technologists to develop an
“innovation ecosystem.”

- Saltwater lamp
- Salamander tricycle
- Diwata 1 microsatellite
ASEAN Integration requires competitive technology

• Science and technology help us understand nature and the world, and enables us to lead full lives
through new and innovative means. It therefore requires that we as Filipinos, expand our science
and technology base to enable us to compete in an integrated ASEAN.

Two major approaches

1. Stronger Research and Development in the regions, not just Manila

Expand research and development initiatives by providing more grant support for R and D through the
DOSTs sectoral planning councils such as PCIERD, PCAARD and ASTI in cooperation with universities in
the regions. The science initiative must be distributed to the regions especially those where food production
needs to be improved, industry needs to grow and where innovation needs to be developed. This is critical
in light of climate change and expensive electricity and the need to disperse industry and economic
activities.

2. Strategic projects in five areas:

• Renewable energy- we need new technologies to enable high electricity yields in limited space with
less dependence on natural resources to enable us to meet our COP 21 commitments, while
lowering the price of electricity.
 • S and T for industry development- we need stronger participation of our scientists and engineers if
we want to revitalize our basic industries such as the steel industry.

• Faster and cheaper internet – we have Asias slowest internet, yet our archipelago needs it bridge
gaps and build networks.

• Increased food production- given limited lands, technology is needed to expand yields while
increasing quality of output and being less dependent on foreign inputs like fertilizers.

• Climate change adaptation- We need cutting edge technology to enable our farmers to adapt to
changing climates and the need to do away with technologies that destroy the capacity for good
healthful yields.

Enabling mechanisms and specifics

1. More Research grants through the DOST and its sectoral planning councils and institutes
2. Strengthen the Balik Scientist Program and retention program for current young scientists- our
young scientists must be engaged through actual research projects. Many of our scientists and
engineers are OFWs who support our candidacy. We need their help to uplift our country’s
technology and we hope they comeback.
3. S and T cooperation within ASEAN- especially on the space program and climate change
adaptation.
4. Cooperation between industry and the science community by involving them in the sectoral planning
councils. DOSTs programs for SMEs (Such as SET-UP) needs to be replicated further.

II. Science Education in the Philippines

Contemporary Science Education began in the Philippines in 1964 with a secondary Biology
program (BSCS) developed at the University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus in Quezon City. Initial
funding and impetus for this project came from the Ford Foundation and the Philippine government via
the College of Education Budget of the University. The facilities and staff for the initial project were
provided from the University and College of Education which still houses the Science Education Center,
although the staff became autonomous and independent from the College of education but still within
the University structure.

The staff members involved are increasing in a growing number of science education projects, most
of which are not only national in scope, but are international in their reach and influence giving the
Philippines an enviable leadership role in Asia. In addition to circular development, research, and
program development for the K-12 levels, UPSEC is involved in a building program that will allow them
to greatly expand their activities.

III. Major Development Programs and Personalities in

Science and Technology in the Philippines

Scientists greatly help in the economic development of a country. In the Philippines, we have a
number of renowned scientists and technologists whose exemplary works and discoveries have
contributed to the progress of different industries.