Chapter II

The Role of Science and

Technology in Nation-building
By: Mr. Cjay A. Tarrazona
 LESSON 1:
THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AGENDA
OBJECTIVES
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON, STUDENTS ARE
EXPECTED TO:
EXAMINE THE ROLE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN NATION-
BUILDING; AND
ANALYSE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
GROWTH OF THE COUNTRY.
INTRODUCTION
The growth of science and its development as a field in the
country is a hybrid of indigenous and foreign ideas. Spain
and the United States, being the former colonial masters of
the country, have a vital role in improving science in the
Philippines. They establish schools and introduced science
education in basic education up to tertiary education. They
opened the country to global trade, which allowed the
country to have access to science ideas and technologies
from other countries.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
Science and technology in the Philippines were introduced in the
country before the colonizers came. Prior to the coming of the
Spanish colonizers, the Filipinos already had an established
civilization with its unique culture and traditions.
They had a system of indigenous knowledge that helped
them survive and respond to their daily needs. They
developed knowledge and skills.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
In agriculture, they studied the medicinal properties of plants around
them.
The Filipinos used indigenous and ingenious technology in building their
homes, in planting various crops, in fishing and hunting for food, and in
building irrigation systems.
They developed tools for warfare to protect their communities and
tribes from their enemies.
They created musical instruments for entertainment and for festivities,
and they also built transportation tools to travel by land and water.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES

When the Spaniards occupied the country, they brought their own culture
and practices that influenced the Filipinos.
They built schools for boys and girls with a curriculum patterned from
Spain.
Introduced school science and learning technology in the country.
Life during the Spanish period was modernized.
The galleon trade contributed much in the growth of science and
technology in the Philippines.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Americans are more influential in the expansion of science and technology
in the Philippines.
They founded a public education system to help educate more Filipinos
Upgraded the engineering works in the country, and improved the health
conditions of the people by creating hospitals and health centers.
They established the first modern research university patterned from their
own higher education system,
They improved the country's transportation and communication systems.
The Americans tried their best to "Americanize" the Filipino people.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
The World War Il had in many ways weakened the economic growth of the
country.
Institutions and public facilities were turned into ashes, houses were
burned, and many lives were destroyed.
The country gained its independence and became a new republic after the war.
Rebuilding the country became a priority.
The country explored the use of overseas development aid (ODA) from US
and Japan to develop human resources, and improve its scientific
productivity and technological capability.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IN THE PHILIPPINES
Under the new republic, the Philippines intensified its effort to
strengthen its science and technology program by improving science
and mathematics in schools, offering science, engineering medicine
and allied health, technology, and agricultural programs. Teaching
basic sciences was improved in basic education, in colleges, and in
universities. New researches in the field of medicine, basic sciences,
and agriculture were done to respond to the needs of the people and
also to contribute to the development of the economy.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES: INFLUENCES
 GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
requested the expertise of the National Research Council of
the Philippines (NCRP) to consult various sectors in the
society to study how the Philippines can prepare itself
achieve the ASEAN 2015 Goals. Based on this consultation,
the NCRP recommended policies and programs that will
increase the competitiveness of the Philippines in the
ASEAN Region.
THE NCRP CLUSTERED THESE POLICIES INTO FOUR,
NAMELY:
Cluster I: Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, and International Policies
and Governance
Local food security
Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without adding to the
curriculum
Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT broadband
Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue
Cluster 2: Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space
Sciences, and Mathematics
Stressing degrees, licenses, and employment opportunities
Evaluation of Republic Act 9184
Employing science and technology as an independent mover of development
Outright grants for peer monitoring
THE NCRP CLUSTERED THESE POLICIES INTO FOUR,
NAMELY:
Cluster 3: Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Allowing food and drug agencies to conduct evidence-based research as pool of
information
Guaranteeing compliance of drug manufacturing firms with ASEAN harmonized
standards by full implementation of the Food and Drug Administration
Enacting a law supporting human genome projects
Establishing an education council dedicated to standardization of pharmaceutical
services and cares
Allotting 2% of the GDP to research
Cluster 4: Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry
Keeping and protecting biodiversity by full implementation of existing laws
Fostering indigenous knowledge systems and supporting indigenous peoples
Creation of common food and safety standards
Practice of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries
 POLICIES
IN
SCIENCE
AND
TECHNOLOGY
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