Science and Technology in the building of Filipino nation

Brief historical background of science and technology in the Philippines:

 Pre-colonial Period
 Colonial Period
 Post-colonial

Pre-colonial Period:

- before the colonizer came.

- Even before the Spain colonized the country, some indigenous science and technology has
already existed with regards to agriculture like farming, animal -raising, and the utilization of
plants and herbs as medicines.
- The ancient practices in science and technology, by our ancestors are now considered as
indigenous science or folk science.

Example of science and technology in the pre-colonial Period:

 the use of technology is evident in the handcrafts, poetry, weaving, and tools used by
ancient Filipinos in their everyday life
 They also developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, fishing, and also for fighting
enemies during tribal conflicts.
 They used indigenous technology in building house, irrigations and transportation, both
on land and on waterways.
 Balangay for Coastal trade.

Colonial period: - Spanish regime

- Beginnings of modern Philippine S&T can be traced to the Spanish regime.

- The Spaniards established schools, hospitals, and started scientific research. However, direction
and pace were greatly Shaped by the role of the religious orders in the conquest and colonization
of the archipelago.
- The religious orders likewise played a major role in the establishment of the colonial
educational system in the country. Higher education was pursued for the priesthood or clerical
positions in the colonial administration. It was only in the latter part of the 19th century that
technical/vocational schools were established by the Spaniards.
- Spanish colonization paved way to modern means of construction. Roads, bridges, churches, and
other large infrastructures were built with more sophistication using some engineering skills
and tools brought by the Spaniards. In addition, Spanish colonizers developed a health and
education system in the country.
 S&T in the Philippines advanced rapidly during the American regime.

 extensive public education system

 scholarship grants for higher education in science and engineering
 organization of science agencies
 establishment of science -based public services.

The American colonial rule modernized almost all aspects of life in the country. The established
the Bureau of Science to initiate the development in the field of science and technology.

University of the Philippines. - remained the only publicly - supported institutions of

higher education.

Bureau of science - served as a valuable training ground for Filipino scientists and
performed the needed chemical and biological examinations for the Philippine General
Hospital and Bureau of Health.

Philippine Journal of science - reported not only works done in local laboratories but
also scientific developments abroad which had relevance to Philippine problems.

National Research Council - promote scientific research and draft provisions.

This time, the government was completely under Filipino management.

Higher education was provided mainly by the private sector.

National Economic Council - prepare an economic program and advise the government
on economic and financial questions.

National Power Corporation was established.

Educational and scientific activities practically came to a halt-able-bodied citizens joined

the resistance movement.

Much of the country was reduced to ruins during battles for liberation.

Manila was razed to the ground, destroying everything.

It was in this condition that the PHL became an independent state. The government had
to contend with economic reconstruction, normalization of operations as well as task of
planning the direction of economic development.

Post-Colonial Period:

- After achieving independence from the colonial masters, the Philippines, under different
administrations, continued to pursue programs in science and technology
- Each leadership had its own S&T agenda.
Filipino Presidents and their Contributions in the Development of Science and Technology in the
Philippines:

 Pres. Carlos Polestico Garcia (1957 -1961)

 marginal budget for scientific research
 low salaries of scientists employed by the government.
 established the National Science Development Board

 Pres. Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. (1965 -1986)

 directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science courses in public
high schools.
 channeled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences and science
education
 he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of the Philippine
Science Community
 scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and workshops
on fisheries and oceanography
 added the Philippine Coconut Research Institute to modernize the coconut
industry.
 support for the promotion of scientific research and invention with Presidential
Decree No. 49, s. 1972
 he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the
National Academy of Science and Technology
  he enacted a law on the completion of the National Agriculture and Life Sciences
Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (Executive
Order No. 840, s. 1982)
 he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science
High School to encourage careers in science and technology.
 established other research institutes like PAGASA, National Grains Authority,
Philippine Council for Agricultural Research, Philippine National Oil Company among
others.
 Pres. Maria Corazon Cojuangco Aquino (1986 -1992)
 National Science and Technology Authority was replaced by the Department of
Science and Technology
 created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came up
with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP
 gave assistance to Filipino inventors through giving financial aid, patent
application assistance, legal assistance, and to help inventors market their
products domestically and abroad.
 R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to
free education up to the secondary level.
 “Science for the Masses Program” which aimed at scientific and technological
literacy among Filipinos.
 Pres. Fidel Valdez Ramos (1992 -1998)
 government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who were taking up
professions related to S&T
 Schools were becoming more modernized and updated with the addition of
high-tech equipment for student.
 Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and
Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439) was established.
 award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for people who
have been influential in the field of S&T (Inventors and Inventions Incentives
Act or Republic Act No. 7459)
 programs such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and
Technology
 enactment of a law creating a nationwide system of high schools specializing in
the field of science and engineering (Science and Technology Scholarship Law of
1994)
 Pres. Joseph Ejercito Estrada (1998 -2001)
 launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation technologies.
 establishment of one science high school in every province
 advancement of industries and schools into the Internet age, -passage of the e-
Commerce Act
  Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001 -2010)
 the science and technology sector of the Philippines was dubbed as the
"golden age” during her term.
 numerous laws and projects that concerns both the environment and science
to push technology as a tool to increase the country's economic level.
 the term "Filipinnovation" was the coined term used in helping the Philippines
to be an innovation hub in Asia.
 Science Technology and Innovations (STI) was developed further by
strengthening the schools and education system such as the Philippine Science
High School (PSHS), which focuses in science, technology and mathematics in
their curriculum.
 Pres. Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III (2001 -2010)
 imposed Republic Act 10601 which improved the Agriculture and Fisheries
Sector through Mechanization (AFMech)
 was instrumental in the development of PH microsatellites Diwata 1 and 2
 RA 10692 an act providing for the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAG-ASA)
 creation of Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazard) –
more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation
system
 Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte (2001 -2010)
 Bali Scientist Program or RA 11035 –reverse the effect of the brain drain,
strengthen S&T capabilities, accelerate flow of technologies, and promote
knowledge sharing.
 Biotek M Diagnostic Kit –confirmatory test for the diagnosis of dengue infection
 Hazard Hunter Application –states the locations risk for volcanic eruptions,
tsunamis, and other hazards.
 Molecular Laboratory –use of Transcriptase Polymerase Chain reaction machine
to process COVID19 tests.

Filipino Scientists and their Inventions:

 Dr. Arturo Alcaraz

- A volcanologist specializing in geothermal energy development. In1967, his team
powered an electric light bulb using steam-powered electricity. This was the
first geothermal power generated in the Philippines.

 Julian Banzon
- Filipino chemist, Julian Banzon researched methods of producing alternative
fuels. Julian Banzon experimented with the production of ethyl esters fuels
from sugarcane and coconut.
 Pedro Escuro
- Filipino scientist, he is best known for his isolation of nine rice varieties, thus
was renowned by developing rice breeding in the country.
 Dr. Francisco Fronda
- Dr. Francisco Fronda is known as the Father of poultry science in the
Philippines. Francisco Fronda has improved methods of production for the
poultry and livestock industry.
 Felix Maramba
- Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-fueled power generator. He also is the
developer of one of the world's most profitable biogas systems
 Luz Oliveros Belardo
- Filipino chemist, Luz Oliveros Belardo researched the phytochemical properties
of plants in the Philippines for natural products, essential oils, and the medicinal
qualities Emerita De Guzman
 Emerita De Guzman
- Filipino scientist Emerita De Guzman researched the propagation of pure
macapuno trees. She also invented tissue culture techniques for the rapid
propagation of abaca and banana plants.
 Dr. Fe Del Mundo
- Filipino doctor, Fe Del Mundo is credited with studies that lead to the invention
of an improved incubator and a jaundice relieving device.
 Gregorio Zara Filipino
- Famous Filipino Scientist, Gregorio Zara invented, made improvements to, or
discovered the following: invented the two-way television telephone or
videophone (1955) patented as a "photo phone signal separator network";
discovered the physical law of electrical kinetic resistance called the Zara effect
(around 1930); invented an airplane engine that ran on plain alcohol as fuel
(1952).