BRIEF HISTORICAL

BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE
C
AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
• The history of science and technology in the Philippines
started way back before the country gained its
independence from the American colonizers.
• Science, in pre –Spanish Philippines, is embedded in the
way of life of the people. It 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 for food and
production.
• Science is observed in the way they interpret the
movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons
and climates.
• They use science in preparing the soil for
agricultural purposes; they discovered the medicinal
used of plants.
• Technology is used by people in building houses,
irrigations, and in developing tools that they can use
in everyday life.
• The different archeological artifacts discovered in
different parts of the country also prove that the
metal Age also had significant influences on the
lives of early Filipinos.
• When the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought
with them their own culture and practices. They
established schools for girls and boys and introduced the
concept of subjects and discipline.
• It was the beginning of the formal science and technology
in the country, known now as school of science and
technology.
• Life during the Spanish Era slowly became modernized.
• The galleon trade has brought additional technology and
development in the Philippines.
• The Americans have more influence in the development of
science and technology in the Philippines compared to
Spaniards.

They stablished the following:

Public Education System
Improved the engineering works
Improved health conditions of the people
Established a modern research university, University of the
Philippines
Created more hospitals
• They recognized the learning of science and introduced it
in the public and private schools.
• The desire of the Americans to develop the human
resources of the Philippines is somehow, beneficial in the
country.
• Since the establishment of the new republic , the
whole nation has been focusing on using its limited
resources in improving its science and technological
capabilities.
• It has explored the use of ODA or Overseas
Development Allocations to help the countries
improved its scientific productivity.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
ON SCIENCE AND
C

TECHNOLOGY
• Introduced and implemented several programs,
projects, and policies, to boost the area of science
and technology.
• GOAL: Prepare the whole country and its people to
meet the demands of technologically driven world
and capacitate people to live in a world driven by
Science.
The NRCP(National Research Council of the Philippines clustered
these policies into four, namely:

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.

Integrating 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 RA 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
FDA.
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 2% of the GDP to research
Legislating a law supporting human genome projects.
Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry

Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full

implementation of exixting laws
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.
• There are also other existing programs supported by the
Philippine government through the DOST. Some of these
projects are the following:

Providing funds for basic research related to science and technology

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
Creating a science and technology parks
Balik Scientist Program
Developing science and technology parks
Established of the National Science Complex
FAMOUS FILIPINO IN
THE FIELD OF
C

SCIENCE
• Ramon Cabanos Barba – for his outstanding research on
tissue in Philippine mangoes.
• Josefino Cacas Comiso – for his works on observing the
characteristics of Antarctica by using sateliite images.
• Jose Bejar Cruz - known internationally in the field of
electrical engineering
• Lourdes Jansuy Cruz – notable for her research on sea
venom.
• Fabian Millar Dayrit – herbal medicine research
• Rafael Dineros Guerrero III – for his research on tilapia
culture.
• Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. – for inventing the meconium
drugs testing
• Lilian Formalejo Patena – for doing research on plant
biotechnology
• Mari- Jo Panganiban Ruiz – for being an educator and
outstanding graph theorist.
• Gregory Ligot Tangonan – for his research in the field of
communications technology.
• There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are
recognized here and abroad;
Caesar A. Saloma – an internationally renowned physicist.
Edgardo Gomez – famous scientist in marine science
William Padolina - chemistry and president of National
Academy of Science and technology (NAST)- Philippines
Angel Alcala – marine science.