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Lesson 2: Science and Technology and Nation Building

Learning Objectives

At the end of this topic, students will be able to:

a. discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation-building;

b. evaluate government policies pertaining to science and technology in terms of their

contributions in nation-building; and

c. identify actual science and technology policies of the government and appraise their impact
on the development of the Filipino Nation

Activating Prior Learning

Now, let us see what you know about the role of science and technology by completing the
concept map below. But before that, you may want to watch the movie clips and read the short
article listed below to get some ideas. Happy watching and reading!

Questions to Ponder:

1. What roles do science and technology play in the developmental progress of the country?

Presentation of Contents

Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

Pre – Colonial Period

Even before the Spain colonized the country, some indigenous science and technology has
already existed with regards to agriculture like farming, animal – raising, and the utilization of
plants and herbs as medicines. The use of technology is evident in the in handicrafts, pottery,
weaving, and tools used by ancient Filipinos in their everyday life.

Innovation and ingenuity were unmistakable by the way native Filipinos built the rice terraces by
hand. They also developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, fishing, and also for fighting
enemies during tribal conflicts. They used indigenous technology in building houses, irrigations
and transportation, both on land and on waterways. The ancient practices in science and
technology by our ancestors are now considered as indigenous science or folk science.

Colonial Period

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Spanish colonization paved way to modern means of construction. Roads, bridges, churches, and
other large infrastructures were built with more sophistication using some engineering skills and
tools brought by the Spaniards. In addition, Spanish colonizers developed health and education
system in the country.

The American colonial rule modernized almost all aspects of life in the country. They established
the Bureau of Science to initiate the development in the field of science and technology.

Post – Colonial Period

After achieving independence from the colonial masters, the Philippines, under different
administrations, continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each leadership had its
own S&T agenda. However, it is important to note that some Philippine presidents introduced
more developments in the field than others, which you will find out soon as you course through
this topic.

Filipino Presidents and their Contributions in the Development of Science and Technology in the
Philippines

Philippine Presidents and the Status of S&T during their administration

Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (1957 - 1961)

-lack of support of experimental work

-marginal budget for scientific research
-low salaries of scientists employed by the government
-established the National Science Development Board

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos (1965 - 1986)

-directed the Department of Education to revitalize the science courses in public

high schools
- channeled additional funds to support projects in applied sciences and science
education
- he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site of the Philippine
Science Community
- scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars, and workshops on fisheries and
oceanography
- added the Philippine Coconut Research Institute to the NSDB to modernize the coconut
industry.
- support for the promotion of scientific research and invention with Presidential Decree No.
49, s. 1972
- he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to establish the National
Academy of Science and Technology
- He enacted a law on the completion of the National Agriculture and Life

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Sciences Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños

(Executive Order No. 840, s. 1982)
- he established the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science
High School to encourage careers in science and technology
-established other research institutes like PAGASA, National Grains Authority, Philippine
Council for Agricultural Research, Philippine National Oil Company among others

Pres. Corazon Aquino (1986 - 1992)

- National Science and Technology Authority was replaced by the Department

of Science and Technology
- science and technology's role in economic recovery and sustained economic
growth was highlighted
- created the Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology which came
up with the first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP
- Executive Order No.128 abolished R.A. No. 3859, also known as the “Philippine Inventors
Incentive Act.”
- gave assistance to Filipino inventors through giving financial aid, patent application
assistance, legal assistance, and to help inventors market their products domestically and abroad
- R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to free
education up to the secondary level
- “Science for the Masses Program” which aimed at scientific and technological literacy among
Filipinos

Pres. Fidel V. Ramos (1992 - 1998)

-significant increase in personnel specializing in the science and technology field

-addition of Philippine Science High Schools in Visayas and Mindanao
- 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
- Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and Technology
Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439) was established
- award was published in order to give incentives and rewards for people who have been
influential in the field of S&T (Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act or Republic Act No.
7459)
- programs such as National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology
-enactment of a law creating a nationwide system of high schools specializing in the field of
science and engineering (Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994)
- enacted the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293)

Pres. Joseph Estrada (1998 - 2001)

launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective irrigation

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technologies
- establishment of one science high school in every province
- advancement of industries and schools into the Internet age,
-passage of the e-Commerce Act

Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001 - 2010)

- the science and technology sector of the Philippines was dubbed as the "golden
age“ during her term
- Numerous laws and projects that concerns both the environment and science to
push technology as a tool to increase the country's economic level
- the term "Filipinnovation" was the coined term used in helping the Philippines
to be an innovation hub in Asia
- Science Technology and Innovations (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
- imposes Republic Act 10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector through
Mechanization (AFMech)

Filipino Scientists and their Inventions

Here is a list of some Filipino scientists and inventors, together with their contributions in
shaping the science and technology of the Filipino nation.

Dr. Arturo Alcaraz

Dr. Arturo Alcaraz is a volcanologist specializing in geothermal

energy development. In 1967, Arturo Alcaraz and team powered an
electric light bulb using steam-powered electricity. This was the first
geothermal power generated in the Philippines.

Julian Banzon (1908 - 1988)

Filipino chemist, Julian Banzon researched methods of producing alternative

fuels. Julian Banzon experimented with the production of ethyl esters fuels from
sugarcane and coconut.

Pedro Escuro (1923 - )

Filipino scientist, Pedro Escuro is best known for his isolation of nine rice
varieties, thus was renowned by developing rice breeding in the country. The

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Pedro Escuro rice varieties are: Milpal 4, HBD-2, Azmil 26 and C-22 and C-18, C4-63, C4-
137, C-168 and C-12.

Dr. Francisco Fronda (1896 - 1986)

Dr. Francisco Fronda is known as the Father of poultry science in the

Philippines. Francisco Fronda has improved methods of production for the
poultry and livestock industry.

Felix Maramba

Felix Maramba built a coconut oil-fueled power generator. He also is the

developer of one of the world's most profitable biogas systems.

Luz Oliveros Belardo (1906 - 1999)

Filipino chemist, Luz Oliveros Belardo researched the phytochemical properties

of plants in the Philippines for natural products, essential oils, and the medicinal
qualities.

Emerita De Guzman

Filipino scientist Emerita De Guzman researched the propagation of pure

macapuno trees. Her research led to the faster propagation of pure macapuno
trees and increased macapuno nut production from 3-5 macapuno nuts to 14-19
nuts (1980). She also invented tissue culture techniques for the rapid
propagation of abaca and banana plants.

Dr. Fe Del Mundo (1911 - 2011)

Filipino doctor, Fe Del Mundo is credited with studies that lead to the invention
of an improved incubator and a jaundice relieving device.

Gregorio Zara (1902 - 1978)

Famous Filipino Scientist, Gregorio Zara invented, made improvements to, or

discovered the following: invented the two way television telephone or
videophone (1955) patented as a "photo phone signal separator network";
discovered the physical law of electrical kinetic resistance called the Zara
effect (around 1930); invented an airplane engine that ran on plain alcohol as fuel (1952).

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For more information, please go to the links provided below, then watch:

Watch: 1. Juan’s Top 5 Filipino Inventions at https://youtu.be/RU21nUiKaoc

Your Task

Activity 1: New
Generation Science
Genius

Utilizing internet
resources, find at least 5
photos of modern Filipino
scientists and their
respective inventions/
discoveries. Describe the
inventions and their major
contributions in the
development of our
nation.

Activity 2. Feedback

List some
policies/programs of the
government that steers the
nation’s Science and
Technology forward.
Describe these policies
briefly, and give their
Pros, as well as their Cons.
Support your claims by
citing examples of their
positive/negative impact
to our nation’s
development.

Policy/ Program
1.
2.
3.

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