Science &technology (S&T) in The Philippines: Learning Objective

Science
&Technology LEARNING
(S&T) in the OBJECTIVE
Philippines  TO TRACE THE
HISTORY OF S&T IN
THE PHILIPPINES
(THE ECONOMIC,
POLITICAL AND
SOCIAL EVENTS
SHAPING THEIR
DEVELOPMENTS)
THE EARLY YEARS
(SPANISH PERIOD, 1869-1898)
Opening of Suez Canal in 1869 shortened the route
from the Philippines to Europe
Filipinos were able to study in Europe and observed
or became oriented to the rapid succession of
scientific activities (e.g. Darwin’s theory of evolution in
1859, Mendel’s law of heredity in 1866, invention of
telephone in 1875)
Rodriguez, S. Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political, and Social Events shaping their Developments. Giraffe
Books. Quezon City, Philippines. 1996.
SUEZ CANAL
a man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean
Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea
enables a more direct route for shipping between
Europe and Asia
Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt and the Sudan,
formally opened the Suez Canal on November 17,
1869
THE EARLY YEARS
Filipino scientists were mostly interested on animal
and plant systems
Fr. Ignacio Mercado, Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera,
and Dr Leon Ma. Guerrero in Botany
Anacleto del Rosario in Chemistry
Dr. Manuel Guerrero, Dr. Jose Montes, and Dr.
Elrodario Mercado in Medicine
THE EARLY YEARS
Galleon trade was the chief economic activity
Spanish officials focused more on the trade due to big
profits
Agriculture and industrial development were neglected
THE EARLY YEARS
(AMERICAN OCCUPATION, 1898-
1941)
The Schurman Commission recommended the
replacement of military government with a civil
government and establishment of free public
educational system in the country
The Taft Commission started the gradual

Filipinization of the government and encouraged
education in preparation for self-government
THE EARLY YEARS
1941)
Philippine public school system was established
in 1901
 765 Thomasites were recruited
• Insular Bureau of Agriculture and Bureau of
Government Laboratories* were established
 Authored by Dean Worcester, a zoology professor at the
University of Michigan and a strong advocate of science
 Conducted biological, chemical, and other scientific
studies
THE EARLY YEARS
(AMERICAN OCCUPATION, 1898-1941)
• The Philippine Commission expanded and included Dr.
Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino
The Bureau of Government Laboratories was
reorganized into the Bureau of Science in 1905
 Enabled it to undertake research in all fields of science
 Many notable American scientists were recruited
 Quality research works were produced necessitating the
creation of the Philippine Journal of Science in 1906
THE EARLY YEARS
1941)
• In 1906, the Bureau of Science was made the

custodian of the International Standards of Weights
and Measurements in the country
The University of the Philippines was established

in 1908, followed by the College of Agriculture in
Los Baños
THE EARLY YEARS
1941)
Jones Law (The Philippine Autonomy Act)
replaced the Philippine Commission with the
House of Representatives, wholly composed of
Filipinos
Downtrend of the Bureau of Science began (transferred to
the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
(DANR)
Shift of emphasis from health and sanitation to the study of
the country’s natural resources
Growth of science slowed down (decrease number of
articles in PJS and poor quality)
THE EARLY YEARS
1941)
Bureau of Science had new functions
Regulation, analysis, and branding of commercial
fertilizer
Control, checking, advertising, labeling or branding of
any business and commercial commodities
The world recession in the 1930s caused further
losses to the bureau, which resulted to
retrenchment, loss of several divisions, reduced
budget, and brain drain
THE EARLY YEARS
1941)
In 1933-1934, a general reorganization took place
DANR became the Department of Agriculture and
Commerce
Bureau of Agriculture was split into the Bureau of
Plants and the Bureau of Animal Industry
The Division of Mineral Resources was converted into
the Bureau of Mines
The Bureau of Science lost some of its divisions
THE BUREAU OF SCIENCE
Main thrust during the early years was on public
health and nutrition
Due to outbreak of cholera, small pox, dysentery,
malaria, TB, and leprosy before 1900
Also did research on uses of agricultural products
• medicinal plants by Edwardo Quisumbing
• isolation and elucidation of natural products by
Alfredo Santos
• essential oils used as food flavors and fragrances by
Luz Olivares Belardo
• coconut as renewable source of fuel by Julius Banzon
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Focused efforts on improving the breed of basic
crops, livestock and poultry
Varietal introduction, evaluation and inheritance in
rice, corn, sugar cane, coconut, abaca, and tobacco
Improving the breed, feed ration, and the quality of
meat and eggs (Dr. Francisco Fronda, Father of the
Poultry Industry in the Philippines, wrote 500 scientific
articles during his lifetime)
THE EARLY YEARS
(THE WAR YEARS, 1941-1945)
Manuel L. Quezon was the president when the war
between Japan and the US broke out in 1941
Very poor economy confronted the Commonwealth
and later the Republic
Unproductive period in the research life of the Bureau
of Science (fear of death and threat of hunger
prevailed)
A few national scientists directed their efforts to food
processing
• toyo and vinegar were produced
• coconut was converted into coco jam and cooking oil
THE EARLY YEARS
(REHABILITATION AND
RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD, 1945-1948)
Manuel Roxas became the first president of the
Republic
Laid down his policies to rebuild the economy
(industrialization, people participation in the government,
closer cooperation with the US, and the restoration of peace
and justice)
Bell Trade Relations Act provided for free trade relations
between the Philippines and the US until 1954
This gives the Americans the right to dispose of, exploit,
develop, and utilize all agricultural, timber, and mineral lands
of the country
THE EARLY YEARS
(REHABILITATION AND
Bureau of Science was converted to the Institute of
Science and placed under the office of the President
 Coordinated and redirected all scientific efforts toward
industrialization
Filipino scientists directed their efforts toward the
solution of the country’s problems and needs (big
shortage of food and fuel, public health was poor)
Conversion of coconut oil into ethyl alcohol
fermentation of cassava
indigenous raw materials and recycled food were used as
animal feed, etc.
THE EARLY YEARS
(REHABILITATION AND
The gradual Filipinization of the government

resulted in several negative effects on the
development of science in the country
 Reorganization led to loss of records (no clear understanding
of the roles and functions of different offices)
 There was rampant graft, corruption and inefficiency of the
government due to unqualified officials
 The budget for the Bureau of Science for its research and
other scientific activities was at the mercy of its department
secretary (operating with a low budget led to the bureau
soliciting foreign aid through scientific projects)
POST-WAR PHILIPPINE S&T
(THE QUIRINO ADMINISTRATION,
1948-1953)
President Elpidio Quirino desperately sought the

help of the US
 President Truman proposed an economic survey mission
– the Bell Mission
($250M-aid from the US)
 Institute of Science was renamed Institute of Science
and Technology and placed under the National
Economic Coordination
(funding became favorable)
(THE QUIRINO ADMINISTRATION,
1948-1953)
Philippine economy flourished

 Crop production from 1946-1956 increased by 100%
 Livestock and poultry production likewise improved
 The demands for lumber and timber greatly increased due
to rehabilitation and reconstruction programs
(THE MAGSAYSAY ADMINISTRATION,
1953-1957)
President Ramon Magsaysay directed all his

efforts to the upliftment of the rural people
 Improved land reform system
 Provided easy-term credit and facilities
 Constructed roads and buildings for the masses
 Provided technical advice for farmers on farm
management and intensive development
 Extended the duty-free trade under the Bell Trade Act
(THE MAGSAYSAY ADMINISTRATION,
1953-1957)
Highest number of scientists, as well as

scientific works occurred in 1956
 Due to RA No. 1237 which granted special privileges to
scientists and inventors
 Dioscoro Umali organized the Division of Plant Breeding,
the Philippine Seed Board, the National Rice and Corn
Cooperative Movement Program
 Fronda continued to improve the poultry industry by
introducing modern techniques
(THE GARCIA ADMINISTRATION, 1957-
1961)
President Carlos Garcia adopted the “Filipino
First Policy”
The National Science Board was replaced with
the National Science Development Board (NSDB),
raising it to a department level with a budget of
its own
 Scientific and industrial researches were made more
possible (studies on indigenous materials for industries,
improvement of industrial products, substitution of native
raw materials, etc.)
(THE GARCIA ADMINISTRATION, 1957-
1961)
1959 was called the “crop year”

 Increase in production despite the prolonged drought
 An offshoot of agricultural research breakthroughs
• improved farm technology
• use of modern farm practices)
(THE MACAPAGAL ADMINISTRATION,
1961-1965)
President Diosdado Macapagal instituted the full

decontrol program which lifted all government
controls on foreign exchange
 The country’s foreign reserves were depleted
 Ended the protection of Filipino enterprises
 Unlimited importation and the Filipino colonial mentality of
buying “stateside” goods caused a substantial drop in
sales of Philippine-made commodities
(THE MACAPAGAL ADMINISTRATION,
1961-1965)
The NSDB was mandated in 1963 to undertake

research in all fields
through its 2 commissions, National Institute of
Science and Technology (NIST) and the Philippine
Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
The Scientific Instrumentation Division was added to
NSDB which shifted its efforts to extensive training
and expansion
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was
established in 1960
THE MARCOS ERA
(PRE-MARTIAL LAW YEARS, 1965-
1971)
President Ferdinand Marcos’ national goals

emphasized economic and rural developments
Self-sufficiency in rice and diversification of crops
Land reform program and intensification of community
development programs
Laws that adjusted the government’s buying price for
rice and corn, reorganized agricultural agencies to
reduce operational costs and attain efficiency
THE MARCOS ERA
1971)
UP College of Agriculture underwent rapid development

in its facilities, faculty and staff, academic programs and
extension
Training ground for Filipinos and other Asian graduate
students
The Ford Foundation granted funds for the
establishment of the UP Computer Center in 1967,
laboratory facilities and research equipment
The Philippine Sugar Industry granted funds to
support, revive and develop a strong sugar technology
curriculum
THE MARCOS ERA
1971)
Thrust of research were redirected towards

5 areas of priority:
1. Basic necessities
2. Import substitutes
3. Exports
4. Waste materials and product utilization
5. Science education program
THE MARCOS ERA
(MARTIAL LAW YEARS, 1972-1982)
President Marcos created Proclamation 1081
placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law
He made himself head of the National Economic
Development Authority (NEDA)
Reorganized many government agencies (NSDB, NIST,
DANR)
Created Philippine Council for Agricultural Research
(PCAR), which later became PCARR, Philippine Root Crop
Research and Training Center, Philippine Tobacco Research
and Training Center, Institute of Plant Breeding, BIOTECH,
CLSU Cotton Research and Development Institute, National
Academy of Science and Technology and Filipino Inventors
Society, Inc.
THE MARCOS ERA
(AFTER MARTIAL LAW, 1981-1985)
President Marcos issued Proclamation 2045 that

lifted Martial Law
NSDB drafted a comprehensive science and
technology plan for the country (Five-Year Science
and Technology Development Plan)
NSDB was reorganized to National Science and
Technology Authority (NSTA)
• Mandated to formulate a comprehensive National
Plan for Science and Technology
THE MARCOS ERA
(AFTER MARTIAL LAW, 1981-1985)
The following agencies were created:
• Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resource
Research and Development (PCARRD)
• National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
• Philippine Council for Health Research and
Development (PCHRD)
• Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research
Development (PCIERD)
NAST tackled 3 major issues:
• Collection of biological specimens
• State of the dairy industry
• Effects of radiation on human health
POST EDSA REVOLUTION
(1986-PRESENT)
President Corazon Aquino inherited a serious
economic crisis
 Organized the Philippine Commission on Good
Government (PCGG)
 Created the Commission on Human rights (CHR)
 NSTA was reorganized to Department of Science
and Technology (DOST)
 PAGASA was transferred to the DOST from the
Department of National Defense
(1986-PRESENT)
Task Force on Science and Technology

Development was created in 1989
 Dialogue with industry and agriculture and identify the
S&T areas needed to move to NIC (Newly
Industrializing Country) status by the year 2000
(1986-PRESENT)
President Fidel Ramos envisioned the Philippines “to be
a country where all are provided a better life…”
 DOST refocused its efforts on the 15 “leading
edges”, sectors that have substantial
contribution to GNP:
• agriculture, aquaculture and marine fisheries, forest
and natural resources, metals and engineering,
textile industry, mining and minerals, process
industry, food and food industry, energy,
transportation, construction industry, information
technology, electronics, instrumentation and control,
emerging technologies, and the pharmaceutical
industry

Science &technology (S&T) in The Philippines: Learning Objective

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Science &technology (S&T) in The Philippines: Learning Objective

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Science

The Taft Commission started the gradual

• In 1906, the Bureau of Science was made the

The University of the Philippines was established

The gradual Filipinization of the government

President Elpidio Quirino desperately sought the

Philippine economy flourished

President Ramon Magsaysay directed all his

Highest number of scientists, as well as

1959 was called the “crop year”

President Diosdado Macapagal instituted the full

The NSDB was mandated in 1963 to undertake

President Ferdinand Marcos’ national goals

UP College of Agriculture underwent rapid development

Thrust of research were redirected towards

President Marcos issued Proclamation 2045 that

Task Force on Science and Technology

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