DIZON, MYRA A. SCI-TECH 1(TTH-3:00-4:30) NOV.

4,2019

PHILIPPINES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT HISTORY

Science and technology in the Philippines represents the wide scientific and technological
advances the Philippines have made. The main managing agency responsible for science and technology (S&T) is the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The science department have consulting agencies for Forestry,
Agriculture and Aquaculture, Metal Industry, Nuclear Research, Food and Nutrition, Health, Meteorological and the
Volcanology and Seismology.
Numerous national scientists have contributed in different fields of science including Fe del
Mundo in the field of Pediatrics, Eduardo Quisumbing in the field of Plant taxonomy, Gavino Trono in the field of
tropical marine Phycology, and Maria Orosa in the field of Food technology.
Science and Technology Fields
History
Pre-Spanish Period
Even before the colonization by the Spaniards in the Philippine islands, the natives of the
archipelago already had practices linked to science and 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, number system, a weighing and measuring system and a
calendar. Filipinos were already engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining and weaving. The
Banaue Rice Terraces are among the sophisticated products of engineering by pre-Spanish era
Filipinos.
Spanish Colonial Period
The colonization of the Philippines contributed to growth of science and technology in the archipelago.
The Spanish introduced formal education and founded scientific institution. During the early years of Spanish rule in the
Philippines. Parish schools were established where religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and music was taught. Sanitation
and more advanced methods of agriculture was taught to the natives. Later the Spanish established colleges and
universities in the archipelago including the University of Santo Tomas.
The study of medicine in the Philippines was given priority in the Spanish era, especially in the later years. The Spanish
also contributed to the field of engineering in the islands by constructing government buildings, churches, roads, bridges
and forts. Biology is given focus. Contributors to science in the archipelago during the 19th century were botanists, Fr.
Ignacio Mercado., Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera and Dr. Leon Ma Guerrero, chemist Anaclento del Rosario, and medicine
scholars Dr. Manuel Guerrero, Dr, Jose Montes and Dr. Elrodario Mercado.
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. Agriculture and industrial development on the other hand
were relatively neglected. The opening of the Suez Canal saw the influx of European visitors to the Spanish colony and
some Filipinos were able to study in Europe who were probably influenced by the rapid development of scientific ideals
brought by the Age of Enlightenment.
The University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City is considered as the oldest school in the country and in Asia. Formerly
known as the Colegio de San Ildefonso, it was founded by the Spanish Jesuits on August 1, 1595.

University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo Tomas is a Catholic

university founded in 1611 as the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario with its original campus built in
Intramuros. In 1865, the institution served as the Department of Education when it was authorized by Queen Isabella II of
the Spanish monarchy to direct and supervise all the schools in the Philippines.
American Period and Post-Commonwealth era
Angel Alcala, national scientist, is a national scientist noted for his work in marine and aquatic biology.
The progress of science and technology in the Philippines continued under American rule of the islands.
On July 1, 1901 The Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories which was placed under
the Department of Interior. The Bureau replaced the Laboratorio Municipal, which was established under the Spanish
colonial era. 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 and on December 8, 1933, the National
Research Council of the Philippines was established. The Bureau of Science became the primary research center of the
Philippines until World War II.
Science during the American period was inclined towards agriculture, food processing, forestry,
medicine and pharmacy. Not much focus was given on the development of industrial technology due to free trade policy
with the United States which nurtured an economy geared towards agriculture and trade.
In 1946 the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science. In a report by the US Economic Survey to
the Philippines in 1950, there is a lack of basic information which was necessities to the country’s industries, lack of
support of experimental work and minimal budget for scientific research and low salaries of scientists employed by the
government. In 1958, during the regime of President Carlos P. Garcia, the Philippine Congress passed the Science Act of
1958 which established the National Science Development Board.
Marcos Era and Martial Law
During Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency, the importance given to science grew. In the amended 1973
Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 9 (1), he declared that the “advancement of science and technology shall
have priority in the national development.” In his two terms of presidency and during Martial Law, he enacted many laws
promoting science and technology.
In his Second State of the Nation Address on January 23, 1967, he declared that science was necessary for
the development programs, and thus, directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science courses in public high
schools. The Department of Education, with the National Science Development Board (NSDB), is organizing a project to
provide selected high schools with science teaching equipment over a four-year period.
In his Third State of the Nation Address on January 22, 1968, he recognized that technology was the leading
factor in economic development, and channelled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences and science
education.
In his Fourth State of the Nation Address on January 27, 1969, he gave a big part of the war damage fund to
private universities to encourage them to create courses in science and technology and to research. He stated that he
planned a project to have medical interns do a tour of duty in provincial hospitals to arouse their social conscious and
reduce the “brain drain.” 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 his Fifth State of the Nation Address on January 26, 1970, he emphasized that the upgrading of science
curricula and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. He added 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 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.
In his Seventh State of the Nation Address on January 24, 1972, he spoke about his major development
projects in reforming sectors of education. Such projects included research and development schools, technical institutes,
science education centers, and agricultural colleges and vocational high schools.
In 1972, he created the National Grains Authority to provide for the development of the rice and corn
industry to fully harness it for the economy of the country. (Presidential Decree No. 4, s. 1972) He established the
Philippine Council for Agricultural Research to support the progressive development of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
for the nation. It was attached to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. He
provided further support for the promotion of scientific research and invention with Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972.
This decree contains details on the protection of intellectual property for the creator or publisher of the work. 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. (Presidential Decree No. 78, s. 1972)
 In 1973, he created the Philippine National Oil Company to
promote industrial and economic development through effective and efficient
use of energy sources. (Presidential Decree No. 334, s. 1973)
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. (Executive Order No. 512, s. 1978) In his Fourteenth
State of the Nation Address on July 23, 1979, he said that 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. While these projects have had breakthroughs, the market machinery
did not adapt and invest in this technology due to the high-risk front-end costs.
In 1979, he constituted the Health Sciences Center created by R.A. No. 5163 as an autonomous member
within the University of the Philippines System to improve the internal organization and unity of leadership within its
units. (Executive Order No. 519, s. 1979)
In 1980, he created the National Committee on Geological Sciences to advise government and private entities on matters
concerning development in geological sciences. (Executive Order No. 625, s. 1980)
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. (Executive Order No. 784, s. 1982) He granted salary increases to the people with teaching positions in the
Philippine Science High School due to their necessity in the advancement of
national science. (Executive Order No. 810, s. 1982). 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. (Executive Order No. 840,
s. 1982)
In 1986, he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine
Science High School to encourage careers in science and technology and to
be more accessible to the talented students in the Mindanao and Visayas
areas. (Executive Order No. 1090, s. 1986)
Fifth Republic
In 1986, during Corazon Aquino’s presidency, the National Science
and Technology Authority was replaced by the Department of Science and
Technology, giving science and technology a representation in the cabinet. Under the Medium Term Philippine
Development Plan for the years 1987-1992, science and technology’s role in economic recovery and sustained economic
growth was highlighted. During Corazon Aquino’s State of the Nation Address in 1990, she said that science and
technology development shall be one of the top three priorities of the government towards an economic recovery.
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 status by the year 2000. The Congress did not put much priority in handling bills related to
science and technology. The Senate Committee on Science and Technology was one of the committees that handles the
least amount of bills for deliberation.Former DOST Secretary Ceferin Follosco reported that the budget allocation for
science and technology was increased to 1.054 billion pesos in 1989 from the previous year’s 464 million pesos.
However, due to the Asian financial crisis, budget allocation for the years 1990 and 1991 were trimmed down to 920 and
854 million pesos respectively. Budget allocation were increased to 1.7 billion pesos in 1992.
During her term, President Corazon Aquino encouraged scientists and inventors to bring the Philippines to its
former position as second to only Japan in the field of science and technology. One of the goals of her administration was
to achieve the status as being an industrialized country by 2000. She urged that the private research sector form a stronger
bond between public research to help jump-start the progress in the area of Philippine Research and Development.
Ironically, it was during President Corazon Aquino’s term and the reorganization of Philippine bureaucracy that Executive
Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the “Philippine Inventors Incentive Act.” This Philippine Inventors
Commission was under the Science Development board. It gave assistance to Filipino inventors through giving financial
aid, patent application assistance, legal assistance, and to help inventors market their products domestically and abroad.
Despite the abolishment of the Philippine Inventors Commission, her administration gave rise to new avenues for the
government to aid the progress of Science and Technology in the country.
R.A. 6655 or the 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. The Aquino administration recognized the importance of science
and technology in the development of the Philippines into a newly industrialized country. Funding for the science and
technology sector was tripled from 464 million in 1986 to 1.7 billion in 1992. The Science and Technology Master Plan
was formulated which aimed at the modernization of the production sector, upgrading research activities, and
development of infrastructure for science and technological purposes. A Research and Development Plan was also
formulated to examine and determine which areas of research needed attention and must be given priority. 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. The grants for the research and development programs was included in the
Omnibus Investment Law.
There were noticeable improvements regarding science and technology as stated in President Fidel Ramos’ State of
the Nation Address. In his third SONA, 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. Adding
to the increase of scientists would be the result of the two newly built Philippine Science High Schools in Visayas and
Mindanao which promotes further development of young kids through advance S&T curriculum. 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.” The health care programs were innovative and effective as shown by the change
in life expectancy from 67.5 years in 1992 to 69.1 years in 1995.
Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No.
8439) 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. In the sixth SONA, education was one of the primary story-lines wherein programs such as
National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology and enactment of a law creating a nationwide
system of high schools specializing in the field of science and engineering.
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) was 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. 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). The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines
(Republic Act No. 8293) was enacted during Ramos’ term. The law provides industrial property rights, copyrights and
related rights, and technology transfer arrangements.
In President Joseph Estrada’s term, two major legislations that he signed were Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic
Act No. 8749) which was designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable development of its
natural resources, and Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) which outlaws computer hacking and
provides opportunities for new businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy. Aside from these, in his first
State of the Nation Address, President Estrada launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation
technologies. He also announced that Dole-outs are out, which meant basic health care, basic nutrition, and useful
education for those who want, but cannot afford it. Lastly, he said that they would speed up the program to establish one
science high school in every province. It was in his second State of the Nation Address that President Estrada announced
the passage of the Clean Air Act, and the decision to pursue the 15-year modernization program of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines. His last State of the Nation Address pushed for the advancement of industries and schools into the
Internet age, as well as the announcement of the passage of the e-Commerce Act.
In the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, the science and technology sector of the Philippines was dubbed as the
“golden age” of science and technology by then secretary Estrella Albastro . Numerous laws and projects that concerns
both the environment and science to push technology as a tool to increase the country’s economic level. This is to help
increase the productivity from Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) and help benefit the poor people. Moreover,
the term “Filipinnovation” was the coined term used in helping the Philippines to be an innovation hub in Asia.
The STI was developed further by strengthening the schools and education system such as the Philippine Science High
School (PSHS), which focuses in science, technology and mathematics in their curriculum. This helps schools produce get
more involve in this sector. Private sectors were also encouraged to participate in developing the schools through
organizing events and sponsorships. Future Filipino scientists and innovators can be produced through this system
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. Also, this benefits the environment since it boasts a cleaner emission compared to regular fuel. Yet, setbacks such
as lack of raw materials are holding the full implementation of the laws since importing the necessary materials are
imported more. On one hand, drought-free rice was also highly encouraged to be used during her term. This enables
farmers to produce rice despite the environmental hazards that slows or stops the production.
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 (Section 4).
In 2014, President Aquino conferred four new National Scientist for their contribution in the scientific field,
Academicians Gavino C. Trono, Angel C. Alcala, Ramon C. Barba, and Edgardo D. Gomez was honored in their
respective fields. Trono’s contribution helped a lot of families in the coastal populations through the extensive studies he
made on seaweed species. On the other hand, Alcala served as the pioneer scientist and advocate of coral reefs aside from
his contribution in the fields of systematics, secology and herpetology. Barba’s contribution changes the seasonal supply
of fresh fruits to an all year round availability of mangoes through his studies on the induction of flowering of mango and
micro propagation of important crop species. Lastly, Gomez steered the national-scale assessment of damage coral reefs
which led a national conservation.
PRESIDENT DUTERTE: SIGNS BALIK SCIENTIST LAW
Science and technology in the country scored another milestone with the signing of the Balik Scientist law
by President Rodrigo Roa A. Duterte on 15 June 2018. Republic Act No. 11035, also known as an “Act Institutionalizing
the Balik Scientist Program,” would give more incentives to returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors, and engineers
who would share their expertise in the country.
The enacted law would strengthen the implementation of the Department of Science and Technology’s
(DOST) Balik Scientist Program which was first established in 1975 through Presidential Decree No. 819 but was only
implemented in 1986. Since its implementation, several scientists have come back to the country on short- and long-term
basis to mentor science and engineering students and faculty along their line of expertise through research and
development, teaching, and other activities. This sharing of expertise significantly contributed to the acceleration of the
scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the country.
Through the Balik Scientist Law, a returning scientist can participate in DOST’s Grants-in-Aid research
and development. A grant may be provided to the Balik Scientist and released through the host institution for the
implementation of the project in accordance with relevant government regulations and the need of the program involved.
Aside from that, a Balik Scientist can also enjoy various compensations that include tax and duty
exemptions to importation of professional equipment and materials, free medical and accident insurance covering the
award period, reimbursement of expenses for baggage related to scientific projects, and even exemption from “renouncing
their oath of allegiance to the country where they took the oath.”
The benefits also include special working and non-working visas, a round-trip airfare from a foreign country to the
Philippines, exemption from local travel tax, and DOST-subsidized visa application.
Also under the bill, long-term Balik Scientist awardees can enjoy relocation benefits, such as support in
securing job opportunities for the spouse of the awardee, and admission support for the children of awardees in preferred
schools, relocation allowance and monthly housing or accommodation allowance, and funding for the establishment and
development of a facility or laboratory.
(This law is a big help in encouraging Filipino scientists to return to the country and contribute to improve the nation and
people’s lives. This law addresses the problem on the low number of scientists in the country so we can fare better with
our neighbouring countries in Asia who have more people working in research and development.)
First CT Scan in Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in Shariff Aguak inaugurated by Department of Health.
Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT), National Telecommunications Commission, and
telecom companies agree to standardize voice call charges between different networks to P2.50. The Presidential
Agrarian Reform Council, the highest policy- and decision-making body on land reform and land disputes, is
reconvened for the first time after 10 years. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributes land ownership
awards to 50 farmers in Cebu City, 35 farmers in Sorsogon, 175 in Occidental Mindoro, and 300 in Bukidnon and Lanao
del Norte. Philippine Energy Plan 2016-2030 Update completed by DOE. The plan is supposed to set the strategy for
short, medium, and long-term goals for electrification in the country.Two major power plants begin commercial
operation: 414-megawatt San Gabriel natural gas power plant, and 97-megawatt Avion natural gas power plant. 41
metallic mines audited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure compliance with
responsible mining standards. Of these, 10 were suspended, 20 were recommended for suspension, while 11 were given
the passing rate. DENR hotlines launched: #DENR or #3367 for landline and 0917-868-DENR or 0917-885-DENR for
mobile. 271 new weather stations installed by Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Zamboanga Doppler
Weather Radar System installed by DOST.

II.

In connection to nation building Philippine government must focus on the Agriculture, for it is the base of an
economy. Going back in history, civilizations have always flourished around regions of high agricultural yield nearer to
rivers. Agriculture forms the backbone of any economy. Without a strong agricultural base a nation will always find it
difficult to sustain its economic growth. This is primarily because it will not be able to meet the food demands of the
economy. Not only does it sustain the state's food requirements but it also acts as a huge source of employment. It also
provides opportunity for export. Philippines must focus on this for our farm land is being used as industrial land. They
must also have a strict policy on farm lands. And help for the further development to create more sustainable and
productive agricultural needs of our country. And adopt/ study a better way of productivity in a way that it won’t harm
the environment with the high usage of pesticides and others.