Science, Technology and Nation Building

At the end of the lesson, you should are able to:

1. Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in their daily living
2. Prevent government policies on Science and Technology and explain their importance to the nation
3. Discuss the role of Science and Technology in 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

Scientific and technological development in the Philippines began in the Pre-colonial period. Even
before the Spaniards came to the Philippine islands, early Filipino settlers were already using certain
plants and herbs as medicine. Systems of farming and animal raising were also implemented.
Moreover, early Filipinos had also developed different modes of transportation, whether terrestrial or
maritime.
A complicated engineering feat was achieved by the natives of Cordilleras when they built rice
terraces by hand. Through these terraces, the people were able to cultivate crops on the
mountainsides in cold temperatures. They incorporated an irrigation system that uses water from the
forests and mountain tops to achieve an elaborate farming system. The rice terraces of Cordilleras,
which are still functional, show the innovative and indigenous ways of the natives to survive in an
otherwise unfriendly environment.

Colonial period

Colonization by the Spaniards provided the Philippines with modern means of construction. Walls,
roads and bridges and other large infrastructures 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 principal class.
The American occupation modernized almost all aspects of life in the Philippines. They established
a government agency, the Bureau of Science, for the sole purpose of nurturing development in the
field of Science and Technology.

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.
One of the presidents who ushered in advancements in Science and Technology was former
President Ferdinand Marcos. Under his term, many agencies in Science and Technology were
established and strengthened, including the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) in place of the abolished Weather Bureau; the National Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST); and the reconstituted National Science and Technology Authority
(originally established in 1958 as the National Science and Development Board and now the
Department of Science and Technology), among others. Marcos saw that the key to nation-building is
the continued development of Science and technology. The progress in Science and Technology
continued even after his dictatorial rule and the presidents after him left their own legacies in the field.
Questions for Reflection

1. Trace the development of Science and Technology from the pre-colonial times up to the present.
What have you observed?
2. What do you think are the major contributions of Science and Technology to Philippine Nation
building?
3. What specific government policy do you like the most in terms of contributing to the development of
Science and Technology in the Philippines?
4. What do you think are the major contributions of the Philippines to the field at present?
5. What policies do you want the government to implement in the near future?

Activity:

Choose one of the Philippine Presidents. Identify some achievements in the field of Science and
Technology under your chosen administration and trace how they helped shape Philippines as a nation