SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY AND
NATION-BUILDING
INTRODUCTION:
The lesson will discuss the influence of science
and technology in the development of the
Philippine Society. It identifies government
programs, projects and policies geared toward
boasting the science and technological capacity
of the country. This lesson will also include
discussions on Philippine indigenous science and
technology.
 BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

- history of science and technology in the Philippines

started way back before the country gained its
independence from the American colonizers.

- before the coming of the Spanish colonizers, the early

inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture
and traditions
PRE -SPANISH PHILIPPINES
- science is embedded in the way of life of the people

- considered as indigenous science or folk science

- scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that
provide them food, in taking care of animals to help them in their
daily tasks and for food production

- science is observed in the way they interpret the movemnts of

heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates and in organizing
days into months and years
SPANIARDS COLONIZATION
- brought with the spaniards with their own culture and practices

- established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of
subjects and disciplines

- beginning of the formal science and technology in the country, known as

school of science and technology

- the life slowly became modernized, adapting some Western Technology

and their ways of life

- medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal colleges and

universities established by the Catholic orders
- gallon trade has brought additional technology and
development in the Philippines

- considered to be one of the most developed places in

the region

- the superstious beliefs of the people and the Catholic

doctrines and practices during the Spanish Era halted
the growth of science in the country
AMERICAN ERA
- have more influence in the development of science and
technology in the Philippines compared to the Spaniards

- established the public education system, improved the

enginering works and the health conditions of the people

- established a modern research university, the University of the

Philippines and created more public hospitals than the former
colonial master.
- the mineral resources of the country were also explored and
exploited during the America times

- transportation and communication systems were improved, though

not accessible throughout the country

- did everything to “Americanize” the Philippines

- recognized the learning of science and introduced it in public and

private schools

- allowed American scholars to introduce new knowledge and

technology in the country
★ World War II has destabilized the development of the
country in many ways

★ With the establishment of the new republic, the whole

nation has been focusing on using its limited resources in
improving its science and technological capability.
○ it has explored the use of ODA or Overseas
Development Allocations from different countries to
help the country improve its scientific productivity
and technological capability
- human resource development is at the heart of the
efforts focusing on producing more engineers, scientists,
technology experts, doctors and other professionals in
the country.

- Science and technology may have significant impact on

the lives of the people and in the development of the
Philippine society
 GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
As per response to the ASEAN 2015 Agenda, the
government particularly the Departmenr of Science and
Technology (DOST) has sought the expertise of the
National Reearch Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to
consult various sectors in the society to study how the
Philippines can prepare itself in meeting the ASEAN 2015
Goals
THE NCRP CLUSTERED THE POLICIES INTO FOUR
1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International
Policies and Governance

2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and

Space Sciences and Mathematics

3. Medical, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry

★ SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES, EDUCATION,
INTERNATIONAL POLICIES AND GOVERNANCE
○ Intergrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without
adding to the curriculum

○ emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue

○ developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT

broadband

○ local food security

★ Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and
Space Sciences and Mathematics
○ emphasizing degrees, licenses and employment
opportunities

○ outright grants for peer monitoring

○ Review of R.A. 9184

○ Harnessing science and technology as an independent

mover of development
★ Medical, Chemical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences
○ ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with
ASEAN-harmonized standards by full implementation
of the Food and Drug Administration

○ creating an education council dedicated to

standardization of pharmaceutical services and care

○ empowering food and drug agencies to conduct

evidence-based research as pool of information
 ○ allocating two percent of the GDP to research

○ legislating a law supporting human genome projects

★ Biological Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry

○ protecting and conservoing biodiversity by full implementation
of existing laes
○ use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries
○ promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous
people’s conservation
○ formulation of common food and safety standards
Some projects supported by the Philippine government through the DOST:

➔ providing funds for basic research and patents related to to science and
technology. Funding of these research and projects are also from the
Overseas Development Aid (ODA) from different countries

➔ providing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies of students in

the field of science and technology.

➔ establishing more branches of the Philippine Science High School System for
training young Filipinos in the field of science and technology

➔ creating science and technology parks to encourage academe and industry

partnership
★ Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino scientists
abroad to come home and work in the Philippines or
conduct research and projects in collaboration with
Philippine-based scientists

★ developing science and technology parks in academic

campuses to encourage academe and industry partnership

★ the establishment of the National Science Complex and

National Engineering Complex within the University of the
Philippines campus in Diliman.
SEVERAL CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS IDENTIFIED BY THE
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING

★ establishment of national centers of excellence

★ manpower and institutional development programs, such as the

Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) to produce
more PhD graduates in science and engineering

★ establishment of regional centers to support specific industries

that will lead the country in different research and development
areas
★ establishment of science and technology business
centers to assist, advise and incubate
technopreneurship ventures

★ strengthen science education at an early stage through

the Philippines Science High School system
★ in the field of education, several science-related programs
and projects were created to develop the science literacy of
the country:
○ special science classes were organized
○ special science elementary schools were established in different
regions
○ science and mathematics in basic education were continuously
improved
○ the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
strand is introduced in the K to 12 education program to encourage
more students to enroll in science-related fields in college
○ launched the Philippine-California Advanced Research Institute
(PICARI) project by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
The following are some of the areas and fields that the
country is looking forward to embark various research and
projects
1. use of alternative and safe energy

2. harnessing mineral resources

3. finding cure for various diseases and illness

4. climate change and global warming

5. increasing food production

6. preservation of natural resources

7. coping with natural disasters and calamities

8. infrastructure development
 The Philippine Congress has also
created various laws related to
science and technology.
These laws serve as legal framework
for science and technology in the
country
the laws vary according to
different themes such as:
- health related
- technology -building
- supporting basic research
Some laws and policies are in line with international treaties
such as:
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization
- Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and
others
 Development of Science and Technology Policies in the
Philippines
National Goals
SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
Intenational Treaty ★ Policies

Legal Frameworks
★ Programs

★ projects
Social Needs,
Issues and
Problems
FAMOUS FILIPINOS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE
1. Ramon Cabanos Barba
- with outstanding research on tissue culture in Philippine
mangoes
1. Josefino Cacas Comiso
- observe the characteristics of Antarctica by using satellite images
1. Jose Bejar Cruz, Jr.
- known internatiopnally in the field of electrical engineering
- was elected as officer of the famous Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering
1. Loudes Jansuy Cruz
- notable for her research on sea snail venon
FAMOUS FILIPINOS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE
5. Fabian Millar Dayrit
- research on herbal medicine
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III
- research on tilapia culture
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr.
- for inventing the meconium drugs testing
8. Lilian Formalejo Patena
- for doing research on plant biotechnology
FAMOUS FILIPINOS IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE
9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz
- outstanding educator and research on tilapia
culture
10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan
- research in the field of communications
technology
OTHER OUTSTANDING FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
1. Caesar A. Saloma
- an internationally renowned physicist
1. Edgardo Gomez
- famous scientist in marine science
1. William Padolina
- chemistry and presidenr of National Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST) - Philippines
1. Angel Alcala
- marine science
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - Los Banos
- a science paradise for agriculture, forestry, plant and animal science and
veterinary science

- produced numerous scientists and various research in the fields of agriculture,

forestry, plant and animal science and veterinary science

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - Visayas

- a national center for marine science, fisheries and other related sciences

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINE - Manila

- center for excellence and has produced many researches, doctors, health
professionals and scientists in the area of medical and public health
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - Diliman
- established a national science and engineering complex to develop more
research and produce more scientists and engineers in the country
Individual SCHOOL SCIENCE SCIENCE
Interests in LABORATORIES
Science

Family (REAL-LIFE
CONTEXT)
(Teachers and
Natural Learning
Environment Environment)

FILIPINO SCIENTIST

Factors That Influence the Development of Filipino Scientists

 Summary
- even before the time of Spanish Colonization in the Philippines,
various Filipinos and communities aleady practiced science

- they invented tools and buid structures, studied the medicinal

uses of plants, observed heavenly bodies to predict seasons and
weather and used indigenous science in agriculture

- considered as indigenous science which is one of the

foundations of modern science
 Summary
- the growth of science and its development as a field in the
country is a hybrid of indigenous and foreign ideas.

- SPAIN and UNITED STATES being the former colonial masters

of the country, played an important role in the building the
foundation of science in the Philippines

- to further strengthen the science program in the Philippines, the

government establishes various science programs, policies and
projects
 Summary
- tthrough the years, many Filipinos were able to establish
themselves as scientists and science educators in various
scientific areas and fields.

- Invention and innovatuions were done by the Filipino

scientists

- the demands of globalization, especially the ASEAN

economic agenda, prompted the Philippines to invest in
science and technology programs and projects