CHAPTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 3 AND NATION BUILDING OBJECTIVES: ‘Atthe end of the chapter, the students shall be able to: 1. Discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation buliding 2. Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms oftheir contributions to nation building 3. Identify actual science and technology policies ofthe government and appraise their impact on the development ofthe Filipino nation 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. ure 25, Usage of herbs ~ Pre-Spanish era (www. spot ph] Science, Technology and Society | 19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 28. Religion was taught (thefirst website] 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 lropical diseases and other related research projects. In 1905, the Bureau was changed to Bureau of Science, Technology and Society | 20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 of Science ([Link] jure 38. Medicine ([Link]) During the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the role of science and technology in rational 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 1868 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 Research Institute (PHILCORIN), was tasked to promote the modemization of coconut industry. Several agencies and organization were then established like the Philippine Texte 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 (IRI), Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Forest Products, National Committee on Geological Sciences, National Science Development Board (NSOB), 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 (OST) ([Link]) ([Link] ph) Science, Technology and Socioty | 24Figure 33. NAST ([Link]) In 1986, President Corazon Aquino replaced the National Science and Technology Authority to the Department of Science and Technology (D0ST) for SBT to be represented inthe cabinet. The SBT 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 Technology was 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 secior were mandated such as Republic Act (RA) No. 8438: 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. £8298; The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines. Figure 34 The "Doctors. te 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, ‘iso responsible in implementing cost-effective irrigation technologies, distribution of basic health ‘aare, nutrition, and education for those who were willing but could not afford. He also laid down a 15- year modamization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Science, Technology and Society | 22Figure 35. ([Link]) Modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces by Pres. Joseph E. Estrada (pL [Link]) During the administration of Gloria Macapagel- 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 (AFiech) was also passed that aimed to modemize agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment. Figure 36, "Filipinnovation” koronadalcitynews. [Link] In 20°4, President Benigno Aquino, Jt, named new Nationel Scientists: reefs and their conservation Gavino C. Trono, for Marine Biology, who studied seaweed species Angel C. Alcala, for Biological Sciences, who pioneered on coral reefs: Ramon C. Barba, for Horticulture, who changed the seasonal supply of mangoes Edgardo D. Gomez, for Marine Biology, who spearheaded the assessment of damaged coral Science, Technology and Society | 23VA e Gavino C, Trono Angel C. Alcala [Link] [Link] Ramon C. Barba Edgardo D. Gomez [Link] [Link] Figure 37. The four new named Nationzl Scientists by President Benigno Aquino Il Today, in the administration of President Rodrigo R, Duterte: S&T budget for R&D grew by nearly six times over the same period of time. Formulation of programs and policies that will aid in shaping the country. “Science for the People”. The focus of DOST is to help transfer technology and {0 put R&D results into commercialization gaining 1,000 new intellectual properties in only a year. Philippine Space Technology Program launching Diwata-2 in 2018, after the launching of Diwata-1 in 2016 that put our flag in space. Besides space technology, the current administration also gives importance to agriculture and disaster preparedness, igure 38, Philippine 1st satellite: Diwata-1 ([Link]! Philippine S&T effects on society and the physical environment and vice versa ‘S&T has numerous positive contributions to society and the physical environment. Agriculture being the number ane source of our food needs to be mechanized so as to cope with the rapidly and ‘exponentially growing population. Water pumps and sprinkler cope with the damaging heat cause by the changing climate and weather. S&T has also made it possible to produce genetically modified ‘ofops, which grow faster and are more resistant to pests and diseases. Ferllizers needed by the Science, Technology and Society | 24‘crops to increase nutrients in the soll, enhance the growth of the crops and produce high-quality yields are developed thru S&T. S&T has improved transportation by road, by ai, by water and even, by space for the benefits of society for comforts and business for profi. S&T has made ‘communication even better to transfer information or voice out their concems or reach each other or to grow and improve customer services among societies and among institutions thru radios, televisions, internet, and social media. S&T has enhanced the learning process and eventually good {quality education can help boost our economy. Learning management systems have been used in ‘education nowadays like computers, mobile phones, tablets, projectors, and internet, Visual learning land on line learning have become popular for even cifficult subjects like mathematics, physics, biclogy, geography, economics and others, No matter how numerous positive impacts S&T has given individuals like us and the society as @ whole, there wil always be accompanying adverse impacts it brings to us. One is resource depletion. The increasing number of new and advanced technologies brings about higher depletion of earth's natural resources, plus increasing wastes generated and erritted as these technologies are manufactured, and eventually wen the products are disposed, S&T has also increased our population. Advanced birth control methods may help balance population and the resources but only in developed countries. In developing countries, there is no control an birth rate, mortality rate is high, resources like food are scarce and health and sanitation are also poor. ‘The behavior of society also affect the growth of S&T and eventually may either increase or decrease the S&T impacts to us in return. In order to contribute to the development of the Philippines, Filipinos must attain certain level of scientific literacy since science is linked to technology and industriaization. Filipinos are having cifficully attaining this literacy due to lack of science culture, deficiencies or congested curriculum, poor teaching learning process, lack of instructional materials, ‘and teacher training, lack of textbooks, and lack of laboratorias. The introduction of K to 12, a 12-year program for learning under basic education and is accepted globally, may help bridge the gap. Government has continuously prioritize education in their national budgel. Issues and conoems about S8T focus on lack of funding in research and development (RED), lack trained and skilled R&D manpower, institutional gaps, and lack and failure or policies and regulations. Projects most of the time have no focus due to differences in interests of the proponents and funding institutions. Unlike in ‘other countries, there is no mechanism for possible collaboration with industries. Individuals who are member of the society, the government and the private sectors thus, need to continuously look for the public good. Science and Technology effects on society and the environment and vice versa a, Mechanized agriculture b. Water pumps and sprinkler cope with the damaging heat cause by the changing climate and weather. Production of GMO crops which grow faster and are more resistant to pests and diseases. Fertlizers needed by the crops to increase nutrients in the soil, enfiance the growth of the Crops and produce high-quality yields Improved transportation by road, by air, by water and even by space Batter communication thru radios, televisions, internet, and social media ‘S&T has enhanced the learning process and quality education Visual learning and on ling learning Science, Technology and Society | 25Figure 39. Mechanized farminc Figure 40 {[Link]) ([Link] Ondine earning |. Resource depletion Increasing wastes generated and emitted as these technologies are manufactured anc ‘aventually when the products are disposed k._ SBT has also increased our population. ‘+ Advanced birth control mathods may help balance population and the resources but only in developed counties. In developing countries, there is no control on birth rate, mortality rate is high, resources like food are scarce and health and sanitation are also poor. Figure 41. Resource depletion and pollutior {[Link]) Figure 42. Poor sanitation ([Link] int) Science, Technology and Society | 26