SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
NATION BUILDING
CHAPTER 3
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,A ND SOCIETY
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this chapter, the students should be
able to:
1. Discuss the role of science and technology in
Philippine nation-building;
2. Enumerate some contributions of Spanish and
American colonization to the progress of science
and technology in the Philippines
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BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGOUND OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
PRECOLONIAL PERIOD/PRE-SPANISH
1. Agricultural Practices: Kaingin System, Rice Terraces and Agricultural Tools
2. Navigation and Shipbuilding: Balangay and Astronomy
3. Metallurgy and Toolmaking: Ironworking and Metalcraft
4. Medicine: Herbs
5. Textiles and Weaving: Dyes
6. Architecture and Construction: Bahay kubo and stone and coral structures
7. Art and Cultural Expression: Tattooing, Pottery and Basketry
8. Writing System: Baybayin
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SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD
1. Agriculture and Irrigation: New crops, Sugar industry,
Irrigation Systems
2. Architecture and Urban Planning: Churches and Pueblo
System
3. Education: Schools and Printing
4. Medicine: Introduction of western diseases
5. Trasportation: Roads and Bridges, Galleon Trade
6. Astronomy, Meteorology, and Calendars
7. Military: Gunpowder and Fortifications 4
AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
1. On July 1,1901, The Philippine Commission of
the American colonial Administration established
the Bureau of Government Laboratories, which
replaced the Laboratorio Municipal founded by
the Spanish colonial government. It was later
renamed as the Bureau of Science.
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AMERICAN COLONIAL
PERIOD
• They established the public education system
• They established a modern research university.
• Created more public hospitals.
• The mineral resources of the country were also explored and
exploited during American times.
• Transportation systems were improved
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Other government institutions established during American Colonial
Period
• Bureau of Health (1898)
• Bureau of Mines (1900)
• Bureau of Forestry (1900)
• Weather Bureau (1901)
• Bureau of Public Works (1901)
• Bureau of Agriculture (1901)
• Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey (1905)
• Bureau of Plant Industry (1929)
• Bureau of Animal Industry (1929)
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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.
The National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) clustered these
policies into four, namely:
1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies and Governance
2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences, and
Mathematics
3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry
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Department of Science and
Technology (DOST).
• There are also other existing programs supported by the Philippine government through the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST).
Some of these projects are the following:
• Providing funds for basic research and patents related to science and technology
• 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
• Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino scientists abroad to come home and work in the Philippines
• Developing science and technology parks in academic campuses to encourage academe and industry
partnerships.
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