CHAPTER III
Science, Technology and
Nation-Building
Science, Technology and 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
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
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
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. 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.
PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
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.
COLONIAL PERIOD
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.
COLONIAL PERIOD
Eventually in 1905, the Bureau was changed to Bureau
of Science, which became the main research center of the
Philippines. In 1946, the Bureau of Science was replaced
by the Institute of Science.
COLONIAL PERIOD
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.
COLONIAL PERIOD
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.
COLONIAL PERIOD
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.
COLONIAL PERIOD
Figure 27. University of Santo Tomas ([Link]) Figure 28. Religion was taught ([Link])
COLONIAL PERIOD
When the American came, institution for science and technology
were reorganized as well.
Laboratorio Municipal
Bureau of Government Laboratories
purpose of studying tropical diseases and other
related research projects.
Bureau of Science (1905)
main research center of the Philippines.
Institute of Science.( 1946)
COLONIAL PERIOD
• In 1933, the National Research Council of the
Philippines was established.
• American Regime were focused on agriculture,
medicine and pharmacy, food processing and forestry.
COLONIAL PERIOD
Figure 29. Bureau of Science ([Link]) Figure 30. Medicine ([Link])
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.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Ferdinand 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).
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
• The Philippine Coconut Research Institute
(PHILCORIN), was tasked to promote the
modernization of coconut industry.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
Agencies and Organization were then established
• 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),
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
Agencies and Organization were then established
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
• Philippine National Oil Company
• Plant Breeding Institute
• International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
Agencies and Organization were then established
• Bureau of Plant Industry
• Bureau of Forest Products
• National Committee on Geological Sciences
• National Science Development Board (NSDB)
• National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA)
1981
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
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.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
Figure 31. Department of Figure 32. Research on
Science and Technology (DOST) coconut Figure 33. NAST ([Link])
([Link]) ([Link])
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Corazon Aquino (1986)
• National Science and Technology Authority → replaced
to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for
S&T
• The Science and Technology Master Plan
Aimed to update the production sector, improve
research activities, and develop infrastructure used for
S&T.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Fidel V. Ramos (1987)
• 3,000 competent scientists and engineers
• "Doctors to the Barrio Program”
• brought an improvement of life expectancy from 67.5
years to 69.1 years between 1992 to 1995.
• National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in
Science and Technology
• created for high school students who wanted to major
in science and engineering in college.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Fidel V. Ramos (1987)
• 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;
• RA No. 8293: The Intellectual Property Code of the
Philippines.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Fidel V. Ramos (1987)
Figure 34. “The Doctor’s to the Barrio ([Link])
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Joseph E. Estrada
• RA No. 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
• RA No. 8792: Electronic Commerce Act of 2000
• He also laid down a 15-year modernization program of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Joseph E. Estrada
Figure 35. ([Link]) Modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces by Pres. Joseph E. Estrada
([Link])
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
• Science, Technology and Innovations (STI)
was developed to strengthen the educational system and
to address poverty.
• "Filipinnovation“
Philippines as an innovation hub in Asia
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
• RA No. 9367: "Biofuels" Act
-to utilize indigenous materials as source of energy while
having cleaner emissions.
• RA No. 10601: Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through
Mechanization (AFMech)
-aimed to modernize agricultural and fisheries machinery
and equipment.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Figure 36: Filipinnovation
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Benigno Aquino III (2014)
• 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 reefs and their conservation
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
President Duterte, Rodrigo R. (2017)
• The Philippines has the Philippine Space Technology Program
which launched Diwata-2 in 2018 after the launch of Diwata-1
that displayed the Philippine flag in space.
• Besides space technology, the administration also gives
importance to agriculture and disaster preparedness.