Chapter 5: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In this chapter, the state of science and technology in the Philippines shall be focused on. The relevance
of science and technology to national development shall be scrutinized as it relates to various aspects of
Philippine society, including government policy, education, health care and the economy, specifically on
agricultural and industrial development. It examines the issues and dynamics of scientific and
technological development in the country in relation to national development as a whole.

At the end of the chapter, students are expected to:

1. explain the importance of science and technology to national development;

2. describe the state of science and technology in the Philippines;
3. recommend possible policies and programs that would contribute to the development of science
and technology to respond to the needs of the country, especially for agricultural and industrial
development.

Like the rest of the world, science and technology in the Philippines also evolved. Based on archaeological
findings, advances in technology also started in the Stone Age. Before the Spaniards colonized the
archipelago, the inhabitants of the Philippines had already learned the technology of farming, boat-
making, pottery-making, weaponry, writing, and reading, among others. However, when Spain took
control of the Philippines, the advances in science and technology in the country were directed to serving
the needs of the religious orders. American colonization introduced a number of Western technologies
including automobiles, television, radio, among others. Through time, technological advances in the West
have permeated into Philippine society and culture as the country remained an ally (or semi-colony, as
some would put it) of the United States until the present, even as it was granted independence in 1946.
Despite this dependence on Western technologies, there still have been a number of inventions and
technological innovations in the country. The following sections shall present government policies and
initiatives for technological development in the country’s major socio-economic spheres – agriculture,
industry, and health care.

5.1 Government Policies on Science and Technology

The pursuit of science and technology is enshrined in the 1987 Philippine constitution as stated in Article
14, Sections 10-13, thus, the creation of the Department of Science & Technology (DOST). Explicit to the
article is the “government’s support on research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization through funding and incentives; science and technology education, training, and services
through scholarships and grants-in-aid; private groups, local governments, and community-based
organizations in the generation and utilization of science and technology; and protection of the exclusive
rights of scientists, inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations”.

[insert photo or logo of DOST]

In line with the provisions on science and technology in the Philippine Constitution, the objectives of the
Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda for 2017-2022 are as follows:
 1. Expanded and strengthened socio-economic development programs for all, particularly the poor,
vulnerable and marginalized through science, technology and innovation; and

2. Safe and disaster/climate change-resilient infrastructure and communities empowered by

science-based meteorological, hydrological and geological information, climate change scenarios
with associated impact assessments, and decision support systems.

Currently, the focus of the government in terms of the projects and programs to be funded by DOST are
based on the priority Key Results Areas (KRA) which include:

• poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable;

• rapid and inclusive, and sustained economic growth; and
• integrity of the environment and climate

Thus, it is a policy that any research proposal that requires DOST funding must integrate any of the
following: poverty alleviation, climate change, countryside development, food and nutrition security,
biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. So far, among the many programs/projects
funded by the government, the areas that received the most funding and attention were food security,
disaster risk reduction/mitigation, human nutrition, support for small and medium enterprises,
agribusiness, material science, and nanotechnology. A summary of various DOST projects with “big ticket”
funding on science and technology can be read in http://www.dost.gov.ph/programs-and-
projects/projects-under-councils-and-rdis.

Overall, it can be said that funds have been made available for science programs and projects that lead to
the development of technologies and hopefully benefit as many people as possible. The 2015
performance report of DOST published and posted in its official website showed transparency and the
efficient use of digital technology in disseminating information to the general public. The investment in
S&T implies the good use of taxpayers' money.

However, in general, the Philippines is still lagging behind other Asian countries like Taiwan, Singapore,
South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia, which have achieved economic independence and are enjoying
relatively higher per capita incomes. It is therefore imperative to fast-track the development of science
and technology in the country to address socio-economic concerns to increase competitiveness amid
globalization. More than that, the fruits of science and technology are expected to help alleviate the
poverty situation of majority of Filipinos especially in the countryside.

The government (whether local or national) is the single, biggest employer of science and technology
graduates due to the very huge investments (i.e., capital, infrastructure, equity, equipment,
instrumentation, manpower training, etc.) that go to research and development. Other sectors (i.e.,
universities, business, service, agriculture, fisheries, etc.) of the country also hire or employ science and
technology graduates, mostly for product development, and not for basic studies where the risk of failure
is much greater. In view of these underlying principles, science and technology jobs are few but essential
to the economy of the country.

More often, the application of technology is hampered by bureaucratic processes within government
agencies. Take the case of the issuance of driver license card at the Land Transportation Office or LTO.
The technology for the mass printing of driver licenses is a mature technology already. However, the legal
battles between competing firms, government agencies & the courts have collectively hindered the
issuance of driver license to the inconvenience of the general public. Laws should not stifle, but should
encourage its use for the common good.

Several legislations both local and national have already been enacted to enhance and fast track the
development of science and technology in the country. Noteworthy are the following:

- Republic Act No. 10844, also known as the “Department of Information and Communications
Technology Act of 2015” signed into law on May 23, 2016. This law created the DICT to be
the primary administrative entity of the government’s executive branch to take charge of
planning, developing and promoting the national ICT development agenda. It shall prioritize
the (1) development of a National Broadband Plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optic
cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed; (2) provision of Wi-Fi access at
no charge in selected public places; and (3) development of a national ICT portal.

- Republic Act No. 10055, otherwise known as the “Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009”
which was signed into law on March 23, 2010. This law aims to promote and facilitate the
transfer, dissemination and effective use, management and commercialization of intellectual
property, technology and knowledge resulting from research and development funded by the
government for the benefit of the national economy and taxpayers.

- Republic Act No. 9513, otherwise known as the “Renewable Energy Act of 2008” which was
signed into law on October 8, 2008. This law aims to establish the framework for the
accelerated development and advancement of renewable energy resources and the
development of a strategic program to increase its utilization.

In specific situations, local & provincial government units significantly increase their use of technology by
entering into a MOA with universities. The university provides various expertise, continuing education,
new knowledge & training needs of the government personnel leading to better qualifications (i.e.,
graduate degrees or accredited training certificates) in science or engineering.

[Insert Fig. __: Example of a MOA by an LGU and CenGES, USC]

There are already actionable developments initiated by government for a better science and technology
program, among them:
1. Increasing the annual budget of the DOST;
2. Prioritize research programs that has direct bearing to Filipinos;
3. Mandatory budget allocation to research and development for all government agencies;
4. Increased hiring of science and technology professionals in government;
5. Creation of centers in various specialized science and technology disciplines all over the
country and guaranteed annual budgets if targets are met.

The next sections shall tackle how science and technology research and development has addressed
problems in agriculture, industry, and health care in the country. The state of science and technology
education and local inventions and innovations are likewise presented.

ADDITIONAL READINGS
• Department of Science and Technology
o http://www.dost.gov.ph/transparency/citizen-s-charter
• Provision of S&T in the Philippine Constitution in Article 14, Sections 10-13
o http://www.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/
• Organizational structure of the DOST
o http://www.dost.gov.ph/transparency/about-dost/organizational-structure
• Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda 2017-2022
o http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/6089-dost-launches-national-r-dagenda-for-
2017-2022
• Basic research priority areas
o http://nrcp.dost.gov.ph/thrusts-services/21-research-grants/45-dost-priority-areas-in-
basicresearch
• Summary of various DOST projects implemented
o http://www.dost.gov.ph/programs-and-projects/projects-under-councils-and-rdis.

5.2 Agricultural Technology Research and Development

Agriculture has provided the food needs of growing populations. From manual agriculture using the plow
to mechanized agriculture using machines, technology plays an important role in food production.
However, despite mechanization in agricultural corporations, most farmers in the country still rely on non-
mechanized tools for land preparation and other farm tasks. It is sad to note that the agriculture sector
in the Philippines continues to lag behind its Asian neighbors, despite the presence of agricultural research
institutes such as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Philippine Carabao Center. The
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
acts as the central coordinating body providing support to 132 implementing research and development
agencies as well as 14 regional consortia. Based on government data, more than 80% of all agricultural
research is done by government institutions, while around 18% of agricultural research in the country is
done by the private sector especially multinational corporations engaged in industrial agriculture, mostly
fruit plantations. Recent issues regarding the availability of rice have surfaced, underlining the need to
import rice from other Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand. This is quite ironic since the
Philippines is a rice-producing country and has even hosted scholars from these other countries studying
at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Laguna in the early 1970s.

To coordinate agricultural research among existing bureaus, councils and agencies, the Bureau of
Agricultural Research (BAR) was created by virtue of Executive Order 116 signed by then President
Corazon Aquino in 1987. Its specific mandate is “to ensure that all agricultural research is coordinated
and undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture. It shall tap farmers, farmer organizations and research
institutions, especially State Colleges and Universities, in the conduct of research for the use of the
Department of Agriculture and its clientele, particularly the farmers, fishermen and other rural workers.”
Agricultural research and development’s thrusts are to ensure sustainable food security, alleviate poverty,
promote people empowerment, agricultural productivity and promote internationally competitive
agribusiness and fisheries sectors. There are problems, however on the application of research outputs
at the farm level, due to the top-bottom approach utilized. Some researches just end up in shelves since
they were not responsive to the actual needs of farmers in the first place.

The Duterte administration considers agriculture as one of the country’s major growth drivers as
stimulated by technology. They see agriculture as a lucrative industry given the right investments in
technological development. This can foster food security in the country as it could provide farmers access
to different varieties of seedlings and soil typing. Technological advances are necessary to increase farm
yields and incomes, especially with the advent of climate change projected to further reduce global
agricultural production while demand for food increases. Anthropological research conducted by the
University of San Carlos on corn production in Cebu, however, found that most farmers still rely on
manual, non-mechanized technologies for land preparation, crop production, harvesting and post-
harvest. Thus, there is clearly a need to bridge the gap between agricultural technology research and
development and the utilization of such technologies by farmers at the farm level.

5.3 Industrial Technological Development

Industrial societies convert raw materials into finished products in much larger quantities with the use of
machines. Thus, more advanced technologies are needed to spur industrial development. Aside from
agriculture, a number of industries are necessary drivers of the Philippine economy. However, most major
industries in the country are either run by multinational corporations or by local ones utilizing foreign
industrial technologies. Technological development in industry includes (1) the introduction of new tools
and techniques for performing tasks in production, distribution, data processing, etc.; (2) the
mechanization of the production process; (3) development, utilization and application of new scientific
ideas, concepts and information on production and other processes; and (4) increasing the efficiency of
tools, equipment and techniques in performing given tasks. Thus research is essential in industrial
technological development.

Historically, manufacturing has played key roles in the economies of the world from the Industrial
Revolution up to the present times. However, rules of industrial competition are changing globally as
evidenced by the recent rise of robotics. The key rivals in global robotics development include the United
States, Japan, South Korea, Europe and China. While the US is the most capital intensive, Japan stresses
innovation, and Western Europe exemplifies the greatest intensity in terms of the high ratio of robots per
population. But the largest growth market is China which is moving toward production leadership.

In the Philippines, manufacturing comprises more than half of its industrial sector and accounts for almost
a quarter of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In the manufacturing sector, the semiconductors and
electronics industry is the largest contributor. In 2013, it accounted for 41% of total exports.
Manufacturing industries generally have higher employment, income and output multipliers compared to
the agricultural and service sectors. They likewise promote stronger productivity, technological
development and innovation. Other manufacturing industries in the country include auto parts,
automotive, chemicals, biodiesel, aerospace, ceramic tiles, copper, furniture, iron and steel, metalcasting,
petrochemicals, plastics, rubber, paper, and natural health products. The Philippine iron and steel
industry provides necessary inputs for the construction of infrastructure, power generation and
distribution, transportation facilities and vehicles, manufacturing machinery and equipment, all of which
are essential for long-term economic growth. The Duterte administration is undertaking a “build, build,
build” program increasing the necessary infrastructure to support industries through new roads,
transportation networks, bridges, economic zones, among others. But these may not be enough to spur
further economic growth in the country amid recent trends in robotics development in the highly
industrialized nations.

Given the changing landscape in industrial technological development on a global scale, the Philippines
should also speed up the development of national innovation which can initially rely on the country’s
capital-intensive, high-technology industries from semiconductors and electronics to information and
communication technology. Currently the Philippine research and development share of the GDP is
estimated at 0.14 percent, which is lower than other nations in the global South such as Malaysia (1.13%),
India (0.85%), Bulgaria (0.65%), Chile (0.38%), Pakistan (0.29%), and even Vietnam (0.21%). As advanced
manufacturing technologies spread around the world, the Philippines needs to transition toward
innovation in actual terms and not just talk about creativity and human capital, which if not tapped locally
are utilized for research and development elsewhere. This is why the government should invest in
developing new technological inventions and innovations locally.

5.4 Health Care Technologies

Just like other industries in the country, health care in the Philippines is largely Western-oriented. In
general, public health care services are lagging behind privately-run health services in terms of availability
of health care technologies. For example, patients from a public hospital need to be transported to a
private hospital for tests and examinations that are not available in their facility. In the Philippines, health
care budgets are generally overtaken by budgets for foreign debt payments as well as budgets for the
military. Drug discovery is dominated by multinational corporations, and medical equipment are
manufactured and imported from other countries with highly advanced research, development and
innovation technologies. The recent Dengvaxia controversy underlines the reliance of Philippine health
care on research and development in other countries, to the extent of exposing young children to a
vaccine which is still in its experimental stage.

Life support technologies are becoming essential in the light of the development and growth of new types
and strands of diseases that may put lives in jeopardy. Detection of causes of illnesses as well as the
development of curative measures to manage such ailments also need more advanced technologies as
viruses have become resistant to prior medications. Thus, health research and development is necessary
in developing updated health care technologies to respond to the changing needs of the population. For
instance, studies on the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) found that the virus has already mutated
into other strands of new viruses that are resistant to the currently available treatment made available by
the government. There is a danger that these new strands would spread; while the earlier strands would
gradually disappear. Thus, there is a need to develop technologies for early detection of such viruses as
well as to discover and develop new medications for this disease. Funding for studies related to HIV
awareness, treatment and prevention have been allocated by the government through the Department
of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Commission on Health Research and Development (PCHRD) of the
DOST in order to address the problem.

The government is also providing funding for various researches related to technological development for
health care. One such research endeavor is the Tuklas Lunas program, wherein academic institutions such
as the University of San Carlos undertake ethnomedicinal studies on plants utilized by local herbalists and
do phytochemical analysis to identify components of such plants which addresses specific ailments.
Results of such studies could be utilized for drug discovery so as to make medicines more accessible to
the general public, as opposed to those that are products of health research and development undertaken
by multinational pharmaceutical companies.

5.5 Science and Technology Education in the Philippines

Technological inventions and innovations are logical results of enhanced science education that develops
one’s creative mind and cultivate ingenuity, both requisites for national development. Dr. Filma
Brawner’s “Science Framework for Philippine Basic Education” conveyed the following points underlining
the importance of science education:
• build up students’ interest in science, thus, motivate them to pursue careers in science,
technology and engineering;
• connect their science knowledge with industries and modern technology, being two of the
priority areas for national development;
• make sense of the world as they are able to understand how things work and how things are;
• develop students’ scientific inquiry skills, values and attitudes, such as objectivity, curiosity,
and honesty and habits of mind including critical thinking;
• use their science knowledge to assist in solving local and national challenges and problems
such as energy crisis, pollution, overpopulation, garbage disposal, quality of water, and the
likes; and
• appreciate and preserve cultural uniqueness, identity, and its accompanying peculiarities.

At the basic education level, the Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered special science classes to
be organized per grade level to enhance science knowledge and skills of young children and to develop
their interest in science. There are also a number of science high schools all over the country whose
students are considered government scholars and are expected to pursue science courses in college.
Science subjects are currently being taught through spiral progression which introduces concepts across
the natural sciences from simple to complex in four years of junior high school. Robotics has also been
incorporated as one of the subjects in the curriculum of some high schools to develop students’
innovativeness and creativity in developing solutions through robotics technologies.

The Enhanced Basic Education Act (or RA 10533) was signed into law in 2013, bringing about changes in
the basic education curriculum. This law not only extended the number of years of basic education from
10 to 12years, but also fortified the various curricular offerings in tertiary education. In the new law, after
finishing Junior high school, students who have good to excellent performance in science and math or
who are interested in science and technology-related college curricular programs can opt for the STEM
(science, technology, engineering & math) strand under the Academic Track in Senior high school. The
STEM strand prepares students for academic fields in the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics),
Mathematics, Engineering, and other applied fields, including Pharmacy, Nursing, and other medical-
related courses. It is hoped that tertiary courses would be at par with the rest of the world in both quality
& certification.

The university is traditionally the institution that nurtures young scientists. In the Philippines, there are
more private HEIs (higher educational institutions) than SUCs (state universities & colleges). Of these
universities, only a few are offering science-related courses because the said programs are not profitable
and popular. There are several reasons why science-related academic programs are not selected by high
school graduates and their parents:
• Misinformation about science and technology academic degrees;
• Scarcity of jobs in research and development after graduation;
• High scholastic requirements;
• Long return on investment relative to other academic degrees.

Despite these factors, science and technology academic degrees are given priority by the government.
Aside from providing funds and scientific equipment to academic & non-academic institutions, the DOST
through the Science Education Institute (SEI) also gives scholarship grants to deserving Filipinos who wish
to pursue careers in engineering and the sciences. Filipinos are encouraged to take up undergraduate and
graduate degrees in STEM not only to boost human capital, but also to uplift the Philippines’ science and
technology status in the international arena.

What is the role of universities in the development of science and technology in the country? It is
emphasized that the academe should be incubators of technology. The main role of universities is the
production of new knowledge. Research whether basic or applied is conducted by faculty-researchers as
part of their job description. In most universities, the research function is fused with community
extension, so that scientific results could immediately be shared to the general public. On the other hand,
some new knowledge and ideas may have potential economic value. This could be developed further into
some form of technology and there is no better place to develop the technology than in the academe. The
academic freedom in the university allows for testing new ideas, novel concepts, alternative ways of doing
things, which lead to innovation and later to development of technology. In a way, the university functions
as technology incubators and inspires young scientists to create startups. To accelerate this role,
progressive university administrators enter into Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) with multinational
companies and provide the research and development as well as human resource training needs of said
companies. Other universities connect with universities abroad to collaborate with their faculty-
researchers and learn advanced technologies to create technologies that could be applied locally.

5.6 Philippine Inventors & Inventions

[insert Fig.___ photo of El Gamma Penumbra, a Filipino shadow dance troupe who won in the 'Asia’s Got
Talent' 2015 competition]

Filipino creativity can be seen in the award-winning performances by Filipinos globally. If creativity is the
bedrock of invention and innovation of technology that would lead to economic development, then the
Philippines should have been a developed economy today. There would have been a pool of science and
technology human resources in the country; a form of human capital who are well-educated, highly
talented and committed to the economic welfare of the country. However, the Philippine economy is still
lagging behind its ASEAN neighbors. But looking at the community-level, there are a number of products
being created and innovated. However, these are not acknowledged and recognized in terms of filing and
approval of intellectual property rights either as patents, industrial design or trademark. Patents applied
for were miniscule compared to those of other ASEAN countries

[insert Fig.__ infographic of patents filed in SE Asia last 5 years]

In this section, we shall explore the inventions made by Filipinos, provide reasons for the measly low
applications of patents, trademarks, industrial designs for the last 5-10 years & explore ways on how to
accelerate the development of science and technology in the country.

The WIPO (or World Intellectual Property Organization) is the world's most comprehensive source of data
on the intellectual property (IP) system, as well as of empirical studies, reports & factual information on
IP. It was established in 1967 and currently composed of 191 member states, with headquarter based in
Geneva, Switzerland (http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/). WIPO promotes innovation & creativity for
the economic, social & cultural development of all countries, through a balanced & effective international
intellectual property system (http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/). Data related to IP by country can be
accessed through the WIPO website. One can check or browse through the website
http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/statistics/country_profile/profile.jsp?code=PH how the Philippines is
doing in IP filings for patents, trademarks, & industrial designs from 2001-2015. Some inventions by
Filipino inventors regardless of their acquired nationalities are as follows:

Invention Inventor Year Invented

Medical Incubator Fe del Mundo 1941

Erythromycin Abelardo Aguilar 1949

Video Phone Gregorio Zara 1955

Isolated Rice Breeds Rodolfo Aquino 1966

Moon Buggy Eduardo San Juan 1968

Game of the Generals Sofronio H. Pasola, Jr. 1970

Karaoke Roberto del Rosario 1975

Computer Microchips DiosdadoBanatao

Quink ink Francisco Quisumbing

One Chip Video Camera Marc Loinaz

The ones listed above are those that are acknowledged. However, there are other Filipino inventions that
have not been acknowledged nor patented. This is largely because of the bureaucratic process for
application, filing and approval of innovations and inventions. This problem is linked to larger problems
on the lack of emphasis on science and technology jobs in the country. The real essence of science and
technology jobs are directly connected to the research and development sector. If the end result of
research and development is intended for the common good, then scientists, technologists and inventors
should be considered national treasures and government should invest heavily on their talents, creativity
and job security. But this is not happening yet.

In a developing economy such as the Philippines, science and technology professionals face challenges in
job security, funding constraints, and inertia, among others. There are also underlying reasons why they
would opt to go out of the country and serve elsewhere, instead of staying here to effect change and
make a difference:
• Diaspora of Filipino engineers & scientists;
• Low to very low compensations & benefits;
• Poor & unhealthy working conditions;
• Low to very low research funding;
• Politics within the organization.

No doubt, scientists and technologists are needed to advance our economy so every Juan and Maria can
experience the good life. To produce the required number of science and technology human resources, it
is important to reflect on these aspirations: Education at home and in school is very important in nurturing
young minds to love science. Today's millennials are easily distracted, have short attention span and are
easily drawn by sight (i.e., video). One wonders if there would be a significant future effect if TV stations
preferentially air the lives of scientists and their inventions. At home, the children should be taught early
how to be critical thinkers and think out of the box. This is possible if children are given opportunities to
try different ways of doing things. On the other hand, educational institutions should promote STEM
(science, technology, engineering, mathematics) programs by setting a quota system of enrollment.
Government should provide incentives to individuals by offering more scholarships in the STEM program.
To attract our STEM graduates to pursue their career here, salaries at par with other developed countries
should be given. If our country can address the problem facing Filipino inventors the soonest, we will be
able to compete globally & become a developed economy soon.

Despite the lack of research and development in science and technology in the country, it is still exposed
to the many technologies invented, innovated and development elsewhere. Thus, we are not exempted
from the impact of such technologies on the environment as well as on social relationships. The next
chapter shall focus on both the hard and soft impacts of technological advancement on the physical
environment and human populations.

Exercise 1: WIPO search

Go to the WIPO website & download the IP filings for patents, trademarks, & industrial designs for the
ASEAN countries. Create a time series graph (xy graph), compare & evaluate the # of IP filings per country.
What country lead the highest (or lowest) number of IP filings?

Exercise 2: Interview a Filipino scientist

For each group of five students, make a questionnaire detailing the reason/s to be a scientist, his interest
in S&T, his goal in life, his discoveries as well as challenges of being a scientist working for the motherland;
Make an appointment with a researcher & conduct the interview;
Ask the researcher if you can take a group selfie with your group;
Conduct the interview;
Write a 2-page report about your encounter with a scientist.

Exercise 3: Local & National S&T Job search

There are several private & government agencies that advertise jobs related to S&T.
To determine the availability of jobs in the R&D sector, select one of the available agencies (DOLE, any
online job placement website, local manpower agencies, LGUs).
Make a summary of the following information: (1) type of R&D positions; (2) # of applicants needed; (3)
minimum educational attainment; (4) minimum # years of experience; (5) gender preference; (6) inclusive
age of applicant; (7) job site.
Create an infographics out of the summarized data & submit.