The Development of Science and Technology in the Philippines

(Pre-Colonial – Present)
➢ PRE-COLONIAL, SPANISH COLONIZATION AND AMERICAN COLONIZATION

The Philippines' scientific and technological development began during the pre-colonial period. The sole purpose
for which they established the bureau of Science, a government agency, was to encourage progress in science
and technology. The Philippines' scientific and technological development dates back to before the conquest.
Before the Spaniards arrived on the Philippine islands, various plants and herbs were already being used as
medicines by early Filipinos. Systems for farming and raising animals were also put into place.

During the Spanish Era The Spanish era marked the beginning of modern science and technology in the
Philippines. The Spaniards started scientific research, schools, and hospitals, all of which had significant effects
on the rise of the country's professions. However, the role of religious orders in the conquest and colonization of
the archipelago as well as the economic and trade policies adopted by the colonial government had a significant
impact on the direction and rate of advancement of science and technology. The adoption of a primarily religious
strategy that had previously been utilized with success in Latin America greatly facilitated Spanish conquest and
colonization of the archipelago. It was called reduccion, and it required the far-flung, dispersed barangay
communities to be consolidated into fewer, larger, and more compact settlements that were within hearing
distance of the church bells. Due to the initial shortage of Spanish missionaries in the Philippines, this was a
necessary response.

A combination of religious conversion and military force was used to implement this policy .As a result of free
trade relations and the quasi-imposition of the "parity" amendment to the Philippine Constitution by the US
Congress, the Philippine economy's continued reliance on the United States has maintained the predominantly
agricultural and rural nature of Philippine society and economy even after independence in 1946. The
development of Philippine science and technology has been seriously harmed by this dependent economic and
social development. Scientists, engineers, and physicians have all seen an increase in the number of highly
trained professionals as a result of social demand for higher education. However, many of these science-based
professionals have been underemployed or unemployed as a result of the economy's underdevelopment. As a
result, many of them have been forced to relocate to developed nations, resulting in a "brain drain" or loss of the
Philippines' valuable human resources. Worse still, many of those who leave are highly educated and better-
trained professionals who are essential to the country's development efforts, and this "brain drain" contributes to
the perpetuation of Philippine dependent development.

Therefore, in order for the government to be able to reorient these toward the objective of achieving a strong,
self-reliant economy and society, it is necessary for the government to critically reexamine the connections that
exist between its economic development policies and its education and science policies of the past, present, and
future. This objective can only be accomplished with a well-developed national science and technology system.
Science and technology advanced rapidly in the Philippines during the American regime. This was made
possible by the government's encouragement and support for a comprehensive public education system. As soon
as civil government was established, the Americans established a system of secularized public school education.
The colonial authorities initially implemented a coordinated policy to promote higher education in the sciences.

➢ MARCOS ERA OR MARTIAL LAW AND EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION

Now we’re going to talk about Former President Ferdinand Marcos who declared Martial Law in September
1972, A circumstance where the government imposes direct military control, in place of ordinary civil control,
over a country or a part of a country. During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, the importance given to science
grew. In the amended 1973 Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 9, He declared that the "advancement of
science and technology shall have priority in the national development." In his two terms of presidency and
during Martial Law, he enacted many laws promoting science and technology. he declared that science was
necessary for the development programs, and thus, directed the Department of Education to revitalize the
science courses in public high schools. He recognized that technology was the leading factor in economic
development, and channeled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences and science education.
Marcos assisted 107 institutions in undertaking nuclear energy work by sending scientists to study nuclear
science and technology abroad, and providing basic training to 482 scientists, doctors, engineers, and
technicians.

The Philippines was praised worldwide in 1986, when the so-called bloodless revolution erupted, called EDSA
People Power’s Revolution. February 25, 1986 marked a significant national event that has been engraved in the
hearts and minds of every Filipino. The true empowerment of democracy was exhibited in EDSA by its
successful efforts to oust a tyrant by a demonstration without tolerance for violence and bloodshed. It was a day
that gathered all Filipinos in unity with courage and faith to prevail democracy in the country. It was the power
of the people, who assembled in EDSA, that restored the democratic Philippines, ending the oppressive Marcos
regime. Hence, it came to be known as the EDSA People Power’s Revolution.

➢ PRESENT

To support the Government of the Philippines (GPH) goal of achieving sustained and inclusive growth, the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is focusing its work in the bilateral Partnership
for growth Climate and Disaster Resilience and Natural Resource Management - assisting the Philippines
Department of Science & Technology with storm surge modelling, and training - using TV White Space
technology to register 1.3 million fisherfolk to give them acces to GPH basic services and help in fisheries
conservation - use of renewable energy and environment-friendly alternative energy to assist in realizing its
guiding vision of "Energy Access for more". Rapid Assessment of City Emissions Tool utilizes maps and
geographic systems that provides information on estimate energy use, building needs, transportation, and flood
hazard scenarios. - helping the country improve its ability to respond to natural disasters and adapt negative
impacts of climate change. Also set up a post-doctoral center to service higher education centers and develop
Professional Science Master's degrees to Philippine universities - inject entrepreneurship culture into the
engineering and science programs of Philippine higher education Health - helped create an electronic medical
record system for consultations, significantly improving delivery of health services and advice - supported for
researching the utilization of Oxytocin, a pre-filled, exact dose of oxytocin that provides an efficient alternative
to preventing post-partum hemmorhage. This proven, innovative technology aims to reduce the number of
maternal deaths in the country - supports research on tuberculosis in children and the relationship of tobacco and
TB in children