MODULE 4

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in their daily living
2. Evaluate government policies on science and technology in terms of each contribution to
the nation building
3. Discuss the role of science and technology in nation-building

INTRODUCTION

This section situates science, technology and society in the context of Philippine nation
building. It traced the historical development of science and technology from pre-colonial times
up to present administration. These discussions are geared towards engaging students in a
critical analysis of Science and Technology as a tool for nation building.

The development of Science and technology in the Philippines has already come a long
way. The Philippines has improved in terms of its preparedness for technological change in the
next few years. Many significant inventions and discoveries have been accomplished by or
attributed to Filipinos.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the premiere science and
technology body in the country charged with the twin mandate of providing central direction,
leadership and coordination of all scientific and technological activities, and of formulating
policies, programs and projects to support national development.

Pre-Spanish Period

Prior to colonization by the Spaniards in the Philippine islands, the natives already had
technology. Filipinos were already aware of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of plants
and the methods of extracting medicine from herbs.

They already had an alphabet called baybayin, an indigenous Indic script that has been
widely used in traditional Tagalog domains. They also have number system, a weighing and
measuring system and a calendar. Filipinos were already engaged in farming, shipbuilding,
mining and weaving.

1
 The Banaue Rice Terraces are among the sophisticated
products of engineering by pre-Spanish era Filipinos. It
shows the innovative and ingenious way of the natives to
survive. It is commonly thought that the terraces were built
with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are
occasionally called the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaue_Rice_Terraces

Spanish Colonial Period

The Spanish colonization contributed to growth of
science and technology in the Philippines. They
also provided modern means of construction to the
field of engineering by constructing government
buildings, churches, roads, bridges and forts. They
introduced formal education and founded scientific
institution.
Source:https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/
St-Augustine-Church-in-Paoay

Parish schools were established where religion,

reading, writing, arithmetic and music was taught. The study of medicine in the Philippines was
given priority in the Spanish era. Colleges and universities were established including
the University of Santo Tomas.

The Galleon Trade have accounted in the Philippine colonial economy. Trade was given
more focus by the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the prospects of big profits. The opening
of the Suez Canal provides an opportunity for the Filipino to study in Europe. But health and
education systems were only enjoyed by principalia class.

American Period

July 1, 1901 the Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government

Laboratories under the Department of Interior. The Bureau dealt with the study of tropical
diseases and laboratory projects. On October 26, 1905, the Bureau of Government Laboratories
was replaced by the Bureau of Science. The Bureau of Science became the primary research
center of the Philippines until World War II. Its focus is on agriculture, food processing, medicine
and pharmacy.

On December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was

established. It is considered as the oldest scientific organization that promotes country’s
scientific development. Up to present the agency support researches through financial grants to
research projects, the holding of seminar and conferences, support for human development.
Currently, a measly sum is shared for allocation to grants for research to bring about
sustainability, diversity, and continuity for humans within their immediate ecosystems.

In 1946, the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science. The lack of
support of experimental work and minimal budget for scientific research and low salaries of

2
scientist leads to establishment of the National Science Development Board. It was supported
by Science Act of 1958 during the regime of President Carlos P. Garcia.
President Ferdinand Marcos

During Ferdinand E. Marcos' presidency, many agencies in Science and Technology

was established. He declared that the "advancement of science and technology is the key for
national development."  The Department of Education, with the National Science Development
Board (NSDB), organized Philippine Science High School System to provide scientifically and
research-oriented student. It focuses in science, technology and mathematics in their
curriculum.

He wanted to reduce “brain drain” by providing medical interns do a tour of duty in

provincial hospitals to arouse their social conscious for the love of the country. On April 6, 1968,
he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of the Philippine Science
Community. The government also conducted seminars for public and private high school and
college science teachers, training programs and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate
science scholars, and workshops on fisheries and oceanography.

In 1970, he established the Philippine Coconut Research Institute to the NSDB to

modernize the coconut industry. The NSDB also established the Philippine Textile Research
Institute. The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) of the NSDB explored the uses of
atomic energy for economic development. 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. It leads to the
creation of Bataan Nuclear Power plant that was never operated because of the anomalies and
geographic location.

In 1972, he created the National Grains Authority (NGA) to provide for the development
of the rice and corn industry to fully harness it for the economy of the country. He established
the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (PCAR) to support the progressive development
of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries for the nation.

He established the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA) under the Department of National Defense to provide environmental
protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of the people.

In 1973, he created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote industrial and
economic development through effective and efficient use of energy sources.
In 1976, he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the
National Academy of Science and Technology, which is composed of scientists with "innovative
achievement in the basic and applied sciences," to serve as a reservoir of scientific and
technological expertise for the country.

In 1978, he created a Task Force on the formulation of a national action program on

science and technology to assess policies and programs of science and technology. InJuly 23,
1979, the government invested funds and time in organizations for scientific research, such as
the NSDB, the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research and Resources, the Plant Breeding
Institute, the International Rice Research Institute, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the Bureau
of Forest Products.

3
In 1979, he constituted the Health Sciences Center as an autonomous member within the
University of the Philippines System to improve the internal organization and unity of leadership
within its units.
In 1980, he created the National Committee on Geological Sciences to advise
government and private entities on matters concerning development in geological sciences.

In 1982, he reorganized the National Science Development Board and its agencies into
a National Science and Technology Authority to provide central direction and coordination of
scientific and technological research and development. 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.

Fifth Republic

In 1986, during Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and Technology

Authority were replaced by the Department of Science and Technology. On August 8, 1988,
Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came
up with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for the
Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country. It was formulated to modernize production
sector, upgrade research activities, and develop infrastructure for science and technology. Free
Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to free education up to the secondary
level, implemented in the education system together with this was the “Science for the Masses
Program” which aimed at scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos.

A Research and Development Plan was also formulated to examine and determine
which areas of research needed attention. The criteria for identifying the program to be pursued
were, development of local materials, probability of success, potential of product in the export
market, and the its strategic nature.

During President Fidel Ramos administration there was a significant increase in

personnel specializing in the science and technology field. At 1998, the Philippines was
estimated to have around 3,000 competent scientists and engineers. The 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
improvement and teachers were getting training programs to benefit themselves and their
students. Health care services were promoted through local programs such as "Doctors to the
Barrio Program."

Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and Technology
Personnel was established. The award was published in order to give incentives and rewards
for people who have been influential in the field of S&T. Fidel V. Ramos believes that science
and technology was one of the means wherein the Philippines could attain the status of new
industrialized country (NIC). During his term, he was able to establish programs that were
significant to the field of S&T. In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for National
Development (STAND) were established. Among its priorities were:

1. exporting winners identified by the DTI;

2. domestic needs identified by the President's Council for Countryside Development;
3. support industries and
4. coconut industry development.

4
 Congress, during his term, was able to enact laws that were significant for the field.
Among were:

1. Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439);
2. Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7687) and
3. Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459).
4. The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293)

During President Joseph E. Estrada's term, two major legislations that he signed were
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (PCAA) and Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (ECA). PCAA
was designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable development
of its natural resources, and ECA outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new
businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy. Aside from these, President
Estrada launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation technologies.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration was dubbed as the "golden age" of

science and technology. Numerous laws and projects that concerns both the environment and
science was passed to help increase the productivity from Science, Technology and Innovations
(STI) and help benefit the poor people. "Filipinnovation" was the coined term used in helping the
Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia.

Helping the environment was one of the focus in developing technology in the
Philippines. One of the more known laws to be passed by her administration was the R.A. 9367
or the "Biofuels" act. This act promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the
country. This potentially enables a cheaper alternative to gasoline as a medium in producing
energy that is ecofriendly.

In an effort to improve the efficiency of both land and water, the government imposes
Republic Act 10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through Mechanization
(AFMech). RA 10601 covers research, development, and extension (RDE), promotion,
distribution, supply, assembling, manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance and
project implementation of agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.

In 2010, President Benigno C. Aquino III proposed 10 ways to fix basic education in
the country. Kindergarten to grade-12 is an education system under the Department of
Education that aims to enhance learners’ basic skills, produce more competent citizens, and
prepare graduates for lifelong learning and employment.

Today, in the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the science and

technology sector is top priority based on the budget given for research and development.
Currently, our country has Philippine Space Technology Program which launched DIwata-2 in
2018 after the launch of Diwata in 2016 that displayed the Philippine flag in space. It also gives
importance to agriculture and disaster preparedness.

5
LEARNING ACTIVITY 4

I. Interview or ask a person born before 1970 about the development of science and
technology during his/her time.

Guide questions:
1. What are some of the major invention/s in science and technology during your time?
2. How can the Philippines attain the sustainable development plan using Science and
Technology?
3. What specific government policy or policies can you suggest in terms of contributing
to the development of sciences and technology in the country?

II. Conduct a research on the current status of Bataan Nuclear power plant in Bataan. Cite the
advantages and disadvantages of reopening the power plant.

6
References
Aldea K. I, Coronan, H. P and Candido, B.O. (2018). Science, Technology and Society OBE
Ready. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Beleno, Ramon III, McNamara D.I. S.J., and Valverde, M.V. (2018). Science, Technology and
Society. C and E Publishing Inc.
Cababaro, David (2019). Science, Technology and Society. Book Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Cartaxo, Ana LuísaPécurto. "Nanoparticles types and properties–understanding these
promising devices in the biomedical area."
Khan, Ibrahim, Khalid Saeed, and Idrees Khan. "Nanoparticles: Properties, applications and
toxicities." Arabian Journal of Chemistry (2017).
Mosteiro, Arnaldo p. (2019). Science, Technology and Society. 3rd edition APD Educational
Publishing House.
Heidegger, Martin. “The question concerning technology (W. Lovitt, Trans.) The question
concerning technology: and other essays (pp. 3-35).” (1977).
Hoefmagels, Marielle. 2016. General Biology Book I and II. McGrawHill Education.
Quinto, Edward J.M. (2019). Science, Technology and Society OBE Module. C and E
publishing, Inc.
Serafica, Janice Patricia J. Et al. (2018) Science, Technology and Society OBE rex Bookstore,
Inc.
Seubold, Günter. Heideggers Analyse der neuzeitlichenTechnik. Freiburg-München: Alber,
1986.
Smith, John E. 2009 Biotechnology 5th Edition. Cambridge University Press.
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_air_lesson07_activity2
https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_air_lesson07
https://betterlesson.com/lesson/637516/impact-of-climate-change
http://cliveg.bu.edu/courses/gg101spring05/L32-Lecture-Notes.pdf
https://lookupgrade.com/en/blog/english-the-effect-of-modern-technology-to-filipino-people/
https://en.unesco.org/courier/2018-3/robots-and-humans
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lelalondon/2018/11/28/this-is-what-the-future-of-robots-might-do-
to-humanity/#c98910f72aea
https://www.researchgate.net/topic/Human-Robot-Interaction
https://blog.ozobot.com/steam/robots-helping-fight-climate-change/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26503144
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092849311732163X
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/china-history/top-18-ancient-chinese-inventions/
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/egypt-history/top-10-iconic-art-ancient-egypt/
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/mesopotamia-history/top-10-sumerian-inventions-followed-
many-civilizations/
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/greek-history/
Source: https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/china-history/top-18-ancient-chinese-inventions/