MODULE 4: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING
This section situates science, technology, and society in the context of Philippine nation building.
It initially surveys contributions of Filipino scientists to science and technology. It then traces the
historical development and impact of science and technology on the various segments of
Philippine society. These discussions are geared toward engaging students in a critical analysis of
science and technology as a tool for nation building.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this section, the students should be able to:
1. identify the contributions of Filipino scientists in science and technology;
2. enumerate critical points in the history of science and technology in the Philippines and how
these developments affected society and the environment; and
3. explain the role of science and technology in nation building.
CONTENT
Science and technology in the Philippines had its beginnings during the pre colonial times.
During this period, people used herbal medicine to treat illnesses. To facilitate trading, Filipinos
made use of writing, numerical, measurement, and calendar systems. F'arming, fishing mining,
and weaving were the first livelihood skills developed by Filipinos. In some cases, the techniques
Filipinos developed for livelihood purposes resulted in majestic architectural designs that
managed to attract worldwide attention like the Banaue Rice Terraces of Ifugao.
During the Spanish colonial period, science and technology developed through the establishment
of formal educatíon institutions and the launching of scientific organizations. Schools were
mandated to teach religion, mathematics, reading and writing, music and arts, and health and
sanitation. Medicine and biology were taught in different educational and training institutions.
Since agriculture was the major livelihood of Filipinos, the natives were trained to use innovative
approaches in farming. To construct buildings, churches, bridges, roads and forts, engineering
was introduced and developed as well. The rapid development of scientific principles influenced
by Western culture during the spanisn colonial period was shortchanged. This is why agriculture
and industrial developments were during the latter part of the Spanish era. Instead, trade was
prioritized due to possible bigger profit.
When the Americans came, institutions for science and technology were reorganized as well. For
example, 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 tropical diseases and pursuing other related research projects. Eventually in
1905, the Bureau was changed to Bureau of 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 focused on agriculture, medicine and
pharmacy, food processing and forestry. In 1946, the Bureau of Science was replaced by the
Institute of Science.
During the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the role of science and technology in
national development was emphasízed. He mandated the Department of Education and Culture,
now known as the Department of Education (DepEd), to promote science courses in public high
schools. Additional 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 to
private universities and colleges for the creation of science and technology-related courses and to
promote research. The 35-hectare lot in Bicutan, Taguig was proclaimed in 1968 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 also sponsored by the government during Marcos' presidency. The Philippine
Coconut Research Institute (PHILCORIN) was tasked to promote the modernization of the
coconut industry. Several agencies and organizations were then established like the Philippine
Textile Research Institute, Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (now the Philippine Nuclear
Institute), National Grains Authority (now the National Food Authority), Philippine Council for
Agricultural Research (now the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Resources Research and
Develofpment), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Aquatic, and Natural (PAGASA), Philippine National Oil Company, Plant Breeding institute,
International Rice Research Insfilule (IRRI), Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Forest
Products, and the National Committee on Geological Sciences The National Science
Development Board (NSDB) was reorganized as the National Saicnce and Technolog 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. Salary
increases for teachers and administrators at the Philippine Science High School were granted and
the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School were established
during Marcos' time.
In 1986, under President Corazon Aquino, NSTA was renamed DOST. This was done in order for
the science and technology sector to be represen ted in the cabinet and thus play an integral role
in the country's sustainable economic recovery and growth. The Science and Technology Master
Planpenned by DOST aimed to update the production sector, improve research activities, and
develop infrastructures for the science and technology sector.
In 1987, during the presidency of Fidel Ramos, the Philippines had approximately 3,000
competent scientists and engineers. The Doctors to the Barrio" Program made healthcare
accessible even in far-flung areas in the country. Incentives were given to people who played
significant roles in the science and technology sector.The 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 a number of laws and
statutes related to the science and technology sector were mandated such as RA 8439: Magna
Carta for Scientist Enginers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in
Government; RA 7087; Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994 RA 7459: Inventors
and inventions incentives Act; and RA 8293: The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.
RA 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and RA 8792 Electronic Commerce Act f 2000
were both signed and mandated during the term of President Joseph Estrada. He was also
responsible for implementing cost effective irrigation technologies and providing basic health
care services for those who could not afford them During the administration of President Gloria
Macapagal- Arroyo, the science and technology sector were developed to strengthen the
education system and to address poverty. The term Filipinnovation was coined to refer to the
Philippines as an ínnovatíon hub in Asia. Arroyo also promulgated RA 9367: Biofuels Act, to
utilize indígenous materials as sources of energy. However, the act was not able to produce
positive outcomes because of the lack of technology to source raw materials. It was also in
Arroyo's term that farmers were encouraged to use ríce that can withstand environmental
hazards. RA 10601: Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law was also passed to
modernize agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.
In 2014, President Benigno Aquino III named new National Scientists namely, Gavino C. Trono,
for Marine Biology, Angel C. Alcala, for Biological Science, Ramon C. Barba, for Horticulture,
and Edgardo D. Gomez also for Marine Biology. for research and development (R&D) that grew
by nearly six times over the same period. Formulation of programs and policies that will aid in
shaping the country is backed up President Duterte. The focus of DOST is to put the results of
R&D into commercialization in order to gain new intellectual properties. Currently, the
Philippines has the Philippine Space Technology Program which launched Diwata-2 in 2018
after the launch of Diwata-1 in 2016 that displayed the Philippine flag in space. Besides space
technology, the current administration also gives importance to agriculture and disaster
preparedness.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Science and technology have numerous contributions to society. The mechanization of farming,
for instance, is necessary for agriculture, being the number one source of food production.
Agricultural development needs to cope with the rapidly and exponentially growing population.
Tools such as water pumps and sprinklers help in managing the damaging effects of extreme heat
caused by climate change on crops. Science and technology have also made it possible to
produce genetically modified crops, which grow faster and are more resistant pests. Fertilizers
that increase nutrients in the soil enhance the growth of the crops and produce high-quality
yields. However, many researches show that genetically modified crops and fertilizers made
from strong chemicals are not environment friendly. Science and technology improved
transportation by land, air, and sea Communication has also improved through technological
advancements. With the internet a the rise of social media, information is transmitted easily and
rapidly. Through technological developments, ways of learning also change Learning
management systems used in education are now accessible through compute mobile phones,
tablets, and other gadgets. Online learning has also become popular in various disciplines like
mathematics, physics, geography, economics, and others.
These contributions of science and technology, however, always come with adverse impacts
especially on the environment. One is resource depletion. The increasing number of new and
advanced technologies in the production and manufacture of different goods and services results
in the depletion of the Earth's natural resources. Wastes are also generated as these technologies
are developed. People have also become too dependent on science and technology, making them
disregard its consequences that may be damaging to the environment.
EXERCISE 1
Choose 5 among the following Filipino scientists and inventors:
1. Paulo Campos
2. Angel Alcala
3. Raymundo Punongbayan
4. Ricardo Sigua
5. Gavino Tronio
6. Maria Ligaya Braganza
7. Baldomero Olivera
8. Proceso Alcala
9. Dioscoro Umali
10. Alfredo Galang
11. Benito Lumen
12. Diosdado Banatao
Create a biography of the scientist/ inventor by showing his or her specialization, and most
significant contribution. Kindly include the picture of the inventor.
