CHAPTER III

Science and Technology and Nation Building

A. THE PHILIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENDA AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Objectives
At the end of the topic, the students/readers are expected to:
1.) Discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation building.
2.) Describe the organization of the Philippine science and technology agenda.
3.) Explain how major development programs of the Department of Science and Technology have
contributed to national development.
4.) Cite the importance of science-related programs and projects in the development of the Philippine
economy.

KEY CONCEPTS

Philippine Science and Technology agenda – or research and development agenda, have five sectors,
namely: National Integrated Basic Research Agenda; Health Research and Development Agenda;
Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources; Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology; and Disaster Risk
Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation.
Philippine major development S&T programs – science-related programs and projects spearheaded by the
Department of Science and Techonlogy.

Philippine Government Science and Technology Agenda

Science and technology plays an integral part in human development and the society because it can end
ignorance, increase perception of fact or a situation, and awaken ability to utilize resources and improve quality
of life and have a sustainable environment which is significantly achievable through strong science foundation.
Changes in Philippine society setting is brought about by science and technology. Let’s have a closer look.

The Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) 2017-2022 was prepared by the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST), with the collaboration of the government and private agencies to make sure that all
S&T endeavors are directed toward economic and social benefits of mankind. Its line AmBisyon Natin 2040:
matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay para sa lahat has three pillars: Malasakit (enhancing social fabric),
Pagbabago (reducing inequality) and Kaunlaran (increasing potential growth).

The HNRDA is organized into five sectors:

1.) National Integrated Basic Research Agenda
To express support in the Philippine Development Plan, National Security Plan, and the Science for
Change Programs led by DOSST, the NIBRA focus on basic principles of research and programs:
 Water Security – TUBIG Program (Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan)
 Food and nutrition Security – SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat)
 Health Sufficiency – LIKAS Program (Likas Yaman sa Kalusugan)
 Clean Energy – ALERT Program (Alternative Energy Research Trends)
 Sustainable Community – SAKLAW Programs (Saklolo sa Lawa)
 Inclusive Nation-Building – ATIN Program (Ang Tinig Natin)

2.) Health research and development program

The collaborating agencies for health research and development agenda are the Philippine Council for
Health Research and Development (PCHRD) under the DOST and the National Unified Health Research
Agenda (NUHRA). It prioritizes diagnostics, drug discovery and development, functional foods, hospital
equipment and biomedical devices, information and communication technology for health, nutrition, food
 quality, and safety, disaster risk reduction, climate change, adaptation, and molecular technologies for
health.

3.) Agriculture aquatic and natural resources

The research priorities for agriculture, aquatic and natural resources include crops, livestock,
aquaculture,
forestry, natural resources and environment, technology transfer, socio-economics, and policy research.

4.) Industry, energy and emerging technology

The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development
(PCIEERD-DOST) is responsible for research priorities on food and nutrition security, countryside
development, competitive industry, delivery of social services, intelligent transport solution, renewable
energy and energy storage solutions, and human security.

5.) Disaster risk reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLS) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) are the two research institution that are directed
toward and monitoring networks, technology development, application for monitoring, modelling and
simulation for improvement of monitoring and forecasting; hazards, vulnerability and risk assessment;
warning and communication of information; technology development and application for climate change
mitigation and adaptation; technology development and application for disaster risk management; and
policy.

Government Policies Pertaining to Science and Technology

 Republic Act 10055 (Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 23009) – aims to provide a framework and
support system for the ownership, management, use and commercialization of intellectual property
resulting from research and development funded by the government.
 Republic Act 2067 (Science Act of 1958) – focuses on the integration, coordination, and intensification of
scientific and technological research and development and fostering inventions, to provide funds and for
other purposes.

B. MAJOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

- “Balik Scientist Program” was launched to motivate well-trained overseas Filipino scientist/experts to
come home to the Philippines and share their expertise for the acceleration of the scientific agro-
industrial and economic development of the country. This program was developed in 1957 and still on of
the strategic programs of DOST.
- Through the collaboration between nuclear scientists and agriculturists, PCAARRD has funded a program
that has produced an “irradiated carrageenan fertilizer”. This program is recognized to boost the
resiliency of rice plants increasing its yield by 65%.
- The “Electric Train Project in 2015” by DOST R&D was already complete up-to-date. This was created to
enhance the efficiency of public mass transport system. It was adopted by the Department of
Transportation and Communications (Philippine daily Inquirer, 2015).
- Through the collaboration of PAGASA, PHIVOLS and Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI),
DOST also developed a more accurate and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system which
was named “Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard). It is the primary disaster
risk reduction and management program of the Philippines. In partnership with the UP National
Institute of Geological Science and the UP College of Engineering, the project began in 2012 and almost
completed in 2015. This project has the following components:

 Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Assessment and Mitigation (CHASSAM).

  Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation – Light Detection and Ranging (DREAM-LIDAR)
Project.
 Distribution of Hydrometeorogical Devices in har-hit areas in the Philippines (Hydromet).
 Enhancing Geohazards Mapping through LIDAR technology.
 Flood Information Network (FloodNET) Project.
 Landslide Sensors Development Project.
 Local Development of Doppler Radar Systems (LaDDeRS).
 Weather Hazard Information Project (WHIP).

Test Your Knowledge

1.) Among the research agenda, which do you think is most appropriate to your community? Elaborate your
answer.

2.) Match the agencies responsible for the implementation of Harmonized R&D Agenda in column A with their
functions in column B.

A. B.
_______ 1.) PCIEERD
A. Responsible in promoting basic
_______ 2.) PHIVOLCS
research in the country
B. Lead agency tasked to prepare the
_______ 3.) NRCP Harmonized R&D agenda
C. National coordination body for
_______ 4.) DOST health researches in the country
D. Aims to strengthen support in
_______ 5.) PCHRD research and development,
development of human resource and
institution, diffusion of information
and technology, and development of
policies
E. Agency which evaluates and
harmonizes the agenda for disaster
risk reduction and climate change
adaptation.

3.) Fill in the table below by putting check on the column of each Harmonized R&D agenda to which you think
the following research priorities belong.

Research Priorities NIBRA Health research Agriculture, Industry, Disaster risk

development aquatic and energy and reduction and
agenda natural emerging climate change
resources technology adaptation
Vulnerability and
risk assessment
Delivery of social
services
 Crops and livestock

Food quality and

safety
TUBIG Program

Hospital
equipment
Intelligent
transport solution
Technology
transfer
Warning and
communication of
information
SAKLAW Program

4.) Differentiate the two Republic Acts created about science and technology

5.) Explain how the following programs were able to contribute to nation building.
A. Balik Scientist Program –

B. Irradiated carrageenan fertilizer –

C. SELECTED INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES

Objectives
At the end of the topic, the readers are expected to:
1.) Compare indigenous science with indigenous technologies
2.) Analyze the importance of some indigenous knowledge and science in our lives.

KEY CONCPETS

Indigenous science – a product of indigenous knowledge perfected by man through life experiences.

Indigenous technology – product or process resulting from continuous pursuit of indigenous science.
Indigenous Science
A product of indigenous knowledge perfected by man through life experiences. Old knowledge may
connote traditional and scientific knowledge because it includes superstitious beliefs and practices which may be
products of human imagination. However, these products may also the foundation of people’s creativity,
originality and inventiveness in defining the world where we live in. Indigenous science covers the areas of
metaphysics, philosophy, and practical technologies usually accomplished by people then and now (Snively &
Corsiglia 2000; Pawilen, 2013). The following are some examples of indigenous science:
 Knowledge in observing animal behavior to predict weather conditions and seasons.
 Traditional health habit practices
 The use of herbal medicines
 Knowledge on preserving foods
 Preservation and selection of good seed for planting
 Building irrigation system
 Classifying different types of soil for planting
 Making wines and juices from fruits
 Local methods of growing vegetables in the yard
 Indigenous method of calculating or estimating
 Knowledge on mineral resources found in the community
 Making products such as vinegar, cheese and nata de coco

Philippine Indigenous Technologies

The following are the indigenous technologies that have emerged out of Filipino’s creativity, originality
and inventiveness:

1.) Yoyo
This is a toy consisting of an axle connected to two disks and a string looped around the axle. Played by
holding the string bun inserting on finger into know at its free end. This was used by people then, to fight
against intruders and Spaniards. Pedro Flores, an undergraduate law student at that time, is the one behind
this product but it was the Americans who mass produced the product and became one of the most distinct
toys in the history.

2.) Medical Incubator

Invented by Fe del Mundo, the first Asian student at the Harvard University School of Medicine. It is
made out of two laundry baskets which were placed one inside the other. This was provided with hot water
all around between the baskets to make warmth available and this was purposely invented to regulate the
body temperatures of newborn babies (John, 2009).

3.) Erythromycin
In 1949, Dr. Abelardo Aguilar discovered the antibiotic erythromycin produced by the bacterium
Streptomcyes erytherus found in the soil from his own province in Iloilo. He sent this to his employer in the
U.S to sperate the strain but unfortunately did not get the credit for the discovery.

4.) Patis or fish sauce

Ruperta David (Aling Tentay), accidentally discovered patis in the 1940s when she noticed that some of
the salted fish she stored in a jar turned into fragments and these fragments turned into liquid which tasted
like the patis we are using today. The business started but was officially registered in 1949 as Tentay Food and
sauces, Inc.

5.) Banana Catsup

After the discovering of tomato catsup, Maria Orasa y Ylagan focused on creating another flavor of catsup
using bananas. Filipinos love this condiment for every fried food.

6.) Anticancer Cream

 Due to the increasing incidence of cancer, Rolando de la Cruz developed an anticancer cream from
cashew nuts and other local herbs to treat basal skin carcinoma (BSC) which is considered to be the most
prevalent type of skin cancer all over the world. The DeBCC anticancer cream gave Rolando a gold medal
award in the International Inventors’ Forum in November 2005.

7.) 16-bit Microchip

For a much faster computer works, Diosdado Banatao developed the first single chip graphical user
interface accelerator. This chip allows the computer users to make graphical presentation using graphics for
commands. Data processing is made much quicker using small chip instead of large board.

8.) Mole Remover

Another invention was made by Ronaldo de la Cruz in 2000. This is called more remover which is a cream
formulated to remove warts and moles on the skin.

Test Your Knowledge

1.) Differentiate indigenous science from indigenous technology by giving specific examples.

2.) Fill in the table below about the invention and their inventions.

Inventor Invention
Diosdado Banatao
Banana Catsup
Ruperta David
Anticancer cream
Pedro Flores
Erythromycin