Activity #7: S&T in the Philippines

Due January 8, 2021 1:00 PM

Instructions
Activity #7: S&T in the Philippines
1. Enumerate at least 3 government policies/programs of each administration in the development of
science, technology, and science education. Discuss how do these contributions help the Philippines
in nation-building?
a. Ferdinand Marcos e. Gloria Arroyo
b. Corazon Aquino f. Benigno Aquino
c. Fidel Ramos g. Rodrigo Duterte
d. Joseph Estrada
2. Name at least 10 Filipino scientists or Filipino inventors, and discuss their contribution to help in
Philippine nation-building.
Video: Prometheus Bound (The State of Science and Technology in
the Philippines) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHgaA9XK3_A
Questions:
3. Who is Prometheus and why it is compared to Science and Technology?
4. Identify the problems faced by our country in the field of science and technology?
PROBLEM
CAUSE

FERDINAND MARCOS

ESTABLISHING THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL MEDICINE

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 674 March 25, 1981

WHEREAS, communicable diseases constitute most of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in
the Philippines. The control of communicable diseases is one of the government's priorities for national
development in the field of health. A strong biomedical research component with full cooperation
between academic institutions and field agencies is necessary for the effective pursuit of programs for
the control of communicable diseases. For the foregoing consideration, the Philippine Government has
agreed to cooperate with the Government of Japan in the development of a research program for
tropical medicine in the Philippines. In fulfillment of the terms of an exchange of notes between the
Philippine Government and the Japanese Government, the Government of Japan has constructed and
equipped a research facility for tropical medicine at Alabang, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila There is a need
to provide for the maintenance and operation of the above facility as the venue for continuing technical
cooperation between the two governments in the field of tropical medicine. The maintenance and
operation of a Research Institute for Tropical Medicine will provide the biomedical research support for
communicable disease control program in the Philippines.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1416, the President is empowered to undertake such organizational and
related improvements as may be appropriate in the light of changing circumstances and new
developments.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1003-A December 16, 1976 - CREATING THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

WHEREAS, Sec. 9(1), Article XV of the Constitution provides that "(T)he State shall promote scientific
research and invention", and enjoins that "(T)he advancement of science shall have priority in the
national development";

WHEREAS, in the implementation of the foregoing constitutional mandate, there is need to provide
meaningful incentives to those engaged in scientific and technological research, as well as to give due
recognition to outstanding achievements in technology and the sciences;

WHEREAS, the development of science and technology has largely brought about the material progress
of the country;

WHEREAS, the professionalization of the government scientific and technological research services will
contribute to a large extent in effecting the constitutional objectives of promoting scientific research and
invention and the advancement of science and technology for national development.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 78 - ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE

ATMOSPHERIC GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration,

commonly known as PAGASA, is the country’s official meteorological and hydrological
services provider—which means that the bureau is more than just about the weather.
PAGASA studies heavenly bodies, it is the country’s official timekeeper, and has
specific weather forecast. By being immersed in climatological studies, PAGASA helps
in creating sustainable projects by providing both public and private sectors information
that will enhance the country’s capability to adapt to environmental changes. It also
conducts regular Information and Education Campaigns (IEC) in Local Government Units
and the academe for disaster preparedness.With all these responsibilities under its belt,
PAGASA strives to continue to live up to its acronym—giving hope to the nation in different
ways: helping the public prepare for weather changes, assisting the country’s backbone
workforce, and telling us when we can lie on our backs and wish on stars that streak across the
night sky.

CORAZON AQUINO
 1. Replacing the National Science and Technology Authority into Department of Science and
Technology. The science body was elevated to cabinet status during
the Aquino administration and was renamed the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) on January 30, 1987. Its functions
were broadened for it to be able to support local scientific efforts,
develop technological self-reliance, and promote public and private
sector awareness in the sciences.
2. RA 6655 Science for the Masses Program aimed at encouraging children who had
passion in science and technology to study for free.

RAMON BARBA(FLOWER INDUCTION OF MANGO TREE)

Ramon Barba, a world-renowned scientist known for his invention of flower

induction of mango trees, applied his knowledge and interests towards his desire
to help improve the livelihood of farmers who grow fruit. His discovery of flower
induction and growth of disease-free tissue of crop plants have greatly shaped
the economy of countries who depend on agriculture for their economic stability.
Dr. Barba has shown us the value of sharing what we know and applying
ingenuity and determination towards helping others. Ramon Barba is a man who
made the life-changing discovery of flower induction and applied this (and other
findings) towards improving the quality of life for those in the agriculture
industry. Dr. Barba represents what it means to serve mankind and use your
talents for good. Barba was proclaimed a National Scientist of the Philippines in June 2014

Fe del Mundo(BAMBOO INCUBATOR)

Pediatrician

Del Mundo revolutionized Philippine medicine, making major breakthroughs

in immunization and in the treatment of jaundice, and providing healthcare to
thousands of poor families. She is credited with studies that led to the
invention of the incubator and a jaundice relieving device. In 1941, to help
rural communities without electricity, she designed the bamboo incubator, a
makeshift incubator that utilized two wicker laundry baskets of varying sizes.
She put hot water bottles in the space between the baskets to regulate the
temperature of the infants then added a hood and oxygen.
Alexis Belonio(rice husk gas stove)
Engineer

Alexis T. Belonio is a professor, engineer, scientist, innovator, and inventor from the Philippines. He
was "the first Filipino to receive the Rolex Award for Enterprise" in 2008 for his invention of a low-
cost and environment friendly rice husk stove.
Belonio was the first
Filipino to receive the Rolex Award for Enterprise
in 2008 for his creation of a low-cost, environment
friendly rice husk gas stove.The Rolex Awards
recognize pioneering projects all over the world
that demonstrate innovation and contribute to the
betterment of mankind. His innovative invention does not
only address the problem on rice husk disposal, it can also
serve as an alternative for charcoal stoves with relatively
shorter cooking time and lower investment cost.

Roberto del Rosario(KARAOKE)

Filipino Inventor and entrepreneur who established and former president of the now-defunct Trebel Music
Corporation, a piano company in the Philippines. He was also a founding member of an amateur jazz band
called “The Executive’s Band”. He was the patent holder of the Sing-Along System, a type of karaoke system
he developed in 1975. Karaoke is undoubtedly an integral part of the Philippines
culture. Filipinos are brought up surrounded by singing. It becomes a normal
pastime of everyday life. If visitors come to the house, they will all sing together,
or if it’s a special occasion they will enjoy singing as part of the celebrations. No
matter where you are around the globe you’ll find that in every home owned by a
Filipino, you will find a karaoke system.

Abelardo Aguilar(Erythromycin)
A Scientist who discovered the Erythromycin in 1949. Dr. Abelardo was
testing samples of soils from his backyard and isolated micro-organisms – a
bacteria that lead to the development of the Antibiotic called Erythromycin.
Erythromycin is used to treat respiratory and skin and soft tissue infections. It can also be administered to patients
suffering from primary syphilis but are allergic to penicillin.

Millions of people around the world today benefit from Dr. Abelardo Aguilar’s discovery of
Erythromycin as an alternative antibiotic for those who are allergic to antibiotics or suffer
gastrointestinal side effects from other types of antibiotics.
DIOSDADO BANATAO (SINGLE-CHIP GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
ACCELERATOR)

Dado Banatao introduced the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work a
lot faster and for helping develop the Ethernet controller chip that made the Internet possible. In 1989, he
pioneered the local bus concept for personal computers and in the following year developed the First Windows
accelerator chip. Intel is now using the chips and technologies developed by Banatao. He now runs his own
semiconductor company, Mostron, and Chips & Technology, which is based in California’s Silicon Valley.
Filipino engineer Diosdado Banatao may not be familiar to many Filipinos but he is right up there
with the who's who of the computer technology industry, having helped revolutionize the way we
see and use computers today. An innovator, Banatao is credited for devising a more efficient way to
link computers, by simplifying the computer design with fewer chips, that has made computers
smaller, more portable and more affordable. His inventions are believed to make up 30% of every
computer in the world today. His contributions to the modern computer industry include: the first
single-chip, 16-bit microprocessor-based calculator thru his first company Mostron; the first 10-
Mbit Ethernet CMOS Media Access Controller (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Chip, the first system
logic chip set for the PC-XT and the PC-AT. He is also behind the technology that sped up the
computer graphics via the first Windows Graphics accelerator chip for the PC. The enhanced
graphics adapter chips sets were eventually acquired by semiconductor giant, Intel. He also
pioneered the local bus concept for PC. Thru his group's efforts, the global-positioning system (GPS)
device ordinarily used by the military has become more accessible to consumers.

Gregorio Zara (Created the World’s First Video Phone)

The first recorded videophone, or a two-way television-telephone, was invented by a Filipino engineer
and physicist named Gregorio Zara. It was taken out of science fiction in 1955 when he first introduced
the device and patented it as a “photo phone signal separator network”.
Video calling is an activity that is now easily done by everyone thanks to modern technology. One only
needs a smartphone with a camera and an Internet connection to chat live with another person in other
parts of the world. There are already several chatting apps capable of this feature. But before video calling
became what it is today, the technology had a slow start, perhaps because it was way ahead of its time. Its
origins are traced way back in the middle of 1950s in the Philippines – a long time prior to the start of the
digital age.

Gavino Trono Jr., Ph.D. (born 1931) is a Filipino biologist dubbed as the "Father of Kappaphycus
farming". He was conferred the rank of National Scientist of the Philippines for contributions to the
study of tropical marine phycology, focusing on seaweed biodiversity. He is currently working as a
technical consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Aquaculture Seaweed
Research and Development and is a professor emeritus of the University of the Philippines Marine
Science Institute.
Kappaphycus alvarezii, the elkhorn sea moss, is a species of red algae. It is one of the
most important commercial sources of carrageenans, a family of gel-forming,
viscosifying polysaccharides. Farming methods affect the character of the carrageenan
that can be extracted from the seaweed. Different carrageenan types differ in
composition and conformation, resulting in a wide range of rheological and functional
properties. Carrageenans are used in a variety of commercial applications as gelling,
thickening, and stabilizing agents, especially in food products such as frozen desserts,
chocolate milk, cottage cheese, whipped cream, instant products, yogurt, jellies, pet
foods, and sauces. Aside from these functions, carrageenans are used in pharmaceutical
formulations, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

Dr. Julian A. Banzon: A Pinoy Pioneer In Alternative Fuel

Research
Dr. Julian Banzon has done a great deal of work on local materials especially
coconut as the renewable source of chemicals and fuels. His work on the
production of ethyl esters from sugarcane and coconut is the first study on fuels
from these crops. He also devised some novel processes noteworthy among
these is the extraction of residual coconut oil by chemical, rather than by
physical processes. Dr. Julian Banzon’s researches will answer that question within a snap
of your fingers. Coconut is very abundant in the Philippines and it is for that reason why Dr.
Banzon utilized this fruit to help alleviate the rising starvation rate and food shortage in the
Philippines. Not only the food shortage problem but his research soon ventures out into
alternative fuels that will help save the environment. Through various methods and researches,
Dr. Banzon was able to find different uses for the coconut which would then lead to many more
researches in the coming years. He found ways to extract coconut oil which had plenty of uses
and eventually lead to him finding a way to make coconut oil as an alternative fuel for out ever
increasing usage of petroleum and other gasoline. His work provides an avenue for local and
foreign scientists to continue research on this field of study, revolutionizing the scientific
community and the modern world.

Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph. D. (Coral Reef Ecology and Restoration, Conservation of Marine
Resources, Reproduction of Marine invertebrates and Culture of Giant Clams )

Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph. D. (born November 7, 1938) is a Filipino

biologist who was conferred the rank of National Scientist of the
Philippines in 2014. He is a professor emeritus for marine biology at the
University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. He led the world's
first national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs leading to
international conservation initiatives such as the replanting of corals. He also
pioneered giant clam (Tridacna gigas) breeding stationed in Bolinao and other
protective areas for coastal communities of the Philippines. As an
archipelago with vast marine resources, Gomez saw the need to protect
Philippine resources in particular to coral reefs. He led the world’s first
national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs leading to
international conservation initiatives such as replanting of corals. He also
pioneered giant clam (Tridacna gigas) breeding stationed in Bolinao and
other protective areas for coastal communities of the Philippines.
Additionally, he took part in creating the baseline map of the Philippine,
and he provided information to the Philippine government for its
reference in talks over the territorial disputes in the Spratly Islands. In
2007, he pioneered the study on ocean acidification caused by
increased levels of absorbed carbon dioxide in the ocean.