LESSON 2

SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY, AND
NATION-BUILDING
 LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

Discuss the role of science and technology in . Philippine nation building;

Evaluate government policies pertaining to science and

technology in terms of their contributions to nation-building;
and
Identify actual science and technology policies of the
government and appraise their impact on the development of
the Filipino nation.
INTRODUCTION

This 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 .

The 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.
Science, in pre-Spanish Philippines, is embedded in the way of life of the
people. 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. They use science in preparing the soil for
agricultural purposes and like any other ancient cultures, they discovered the
medicinal uses of plants.
Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in
developing tools that they can use in every day life. They developed tools
for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for fighting their enemies during
war or tribal conflicts; and for transportation, both on land and on
waterways. They also develop technologies in creating musical instruments

The different archeological artifacts discovered in different parts of the

country also proved that the Metal Age also had a significant influence on
the lives of early Filipinos. The sophisticated designs of gold and silver
jewelry, ceramics, and metal tools proved that their technological ideas
helped in the development of different tools.

When the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought with them their
own culture and practices, They established schools for boys and girls and
introduced the concept of subjects and disciplines.
Learning of science in school focuses on understanding different concepts
related to the human body, plants, animals, and heavenly bodies. Technology
focuses on using and developing house tools used in everyday life.

Life during Spanish era slowly became modernized, adapting some Western
technology and their ways of life. The Filipinos developed ways to replicate
the technology brought by the Spaniards using indigenous materials.

The galleon trade has brought additional technology and development in

the Philippines. Some Filipino students who were able to study in Europe
also contributed to the advancement of medicine, engineering, arts, music,
and literature in the country.

The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia
during that time, was considered to be one of the most developed places in
the region.
The Americans have more influence in the development of science and
technology in the Philippines compared to Spaniards. They established the
public education system, improved the engineering works and the health
conditions of the people. The mineral resources of the country were also
explored and exploited during the American times. Transportation and
communication systems were improved, through not accessible throughout
the country.

The Americans did everything to "Americanize" the Philippines. They

reorganized the learning of science and introduced it in public and private
schools. In basic education, science education focuses on nature studies and
science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as "Science".
World War II has destabilized the development of the country in many ways.
Institutions and public facilities were turned into ashes, houses, were burned,
and many lives were destroyed. The country had a difficult time to rebuild
itself from the ruins of the war.
Since 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 ODA or Overseas Development
Allocations from different countries to help the country improve its scientific
productivity and technological capacity.

The development of Science and Technology in the Philippines, based on its

brief history, is shaped by several factors and influences. Like in the history of
the science in other countries, it is always shaped by human and social
activities, both internal and external.

INTERNAL INFLUENCES
SURVIVAL
CULTURE
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
EXTERNAL INFLUENCES
FOREIGN COLONIZERS
TRADES WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEMANDS
INFLUENCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN
THE PHILIPPINES

Science and technology may have significant impact on the lives of the
people and in the development of the Philippine Society. School Science
from basic education to graduate education is improving slowly, and there
are only few students enrolling in science and technology.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE
PHILIPPINES
The Philippine government implemented various programs and policies to
advance science and technology, aiming to prepare the nation for a
technologically driven world.

In 2015, in response to the ASEAN 2015 Agenda, the Department of Science

and Technology (DOST) consulted with the National Research Council of the
Philippines (NCRP) to develop strategies for meeting ASEAN 2015 goals.
The National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) categorized these
policies into four areas:
1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies, and
Governance: This area focuses on integrating ASEAN awareness into basic
education, emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue, and developing school
infrastructure and ICT broadband access. Local food security is also a key
concern.
 2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences,
and Mathematics: This area emphasizes opportunities in degrees, licenses,
and employment, provides outright grants for peer monitoring, reviews R.A.
9184, and promotes the use of science and technology as a driver of
development.

3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences: This section emphasizes

ensuring compliance of drug manufacturing firms with ASEAN-harmonized
standards, creating an educational council for pharmaceutical services,
empowering food and drug agencies to conduct evidence-based research,
and allocating 2% of the GDP to research. Legislation supporting human
genome projects is also mentioned.

4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry: This area focuses on

protecting and conserving biodiversity through the full implementation of
existing laws, utilizing biosafety and standard models from ASEAN
countries, promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous
people's conservation, and formulating common food and safety standards.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Beyond the four main categories, the text mentions additional programs
supported by the Philippine government through the DOST:

Funding for basic research and patents related to science and technology.
This funding also comes from the Overseas Development Aid (ODA) from
other countries.

Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies in science and technology.

The text notes a statement by Saloma (2015) highlighting the country's need to
produce more doctoral graduates in these fields, including engineering, and to
increase research output.
CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS
IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Philippine government implemented several initiatives to
bolster its science and technology capabilities. These include:

Expanding the Philippine Science High School System: Creating more

branches to train young Filipinos in science and technology

Science and Technology Parks: Establishing these parks to encourage

partnerships between academia and industry.

Balik Scientist Program: Encouraging Filipino scientists abroad to

return and work in the Philippines, collaborating on research
projects with local scientists.
Science and Technology Parks in Academic Campuses: Developing
these parks to further foster collaboration between academia and
industry.
 National Science Complex and National Engineering Complex:
Establishing these complexes within the University of the Philippines
Diliman campus to develop the necessary science, technology, and
engineering manpower. The goal was to produce more researchers in
these fields.

Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE) Initiatives

(2008):

The PAASE identified additional key capacity-building programs:

National Centers of Excellence: Establishing these centers to drive

advancements in specific areas.
Manpower and Institutional Development Programs: Initiatives such as the
Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) were designed to
increase the number of PhD graduates in science and engineering.
Regional Centers: Establishing these centers to support specific
industries and lead the country in various research and development
areas.
Science and Technology Business Centers: Creating these centers to
assist, advise, and incubate tech entrepreneurship ventures.
Strengthening Science Education: Improving science education at
an early stage through the Philippine Science High School system.

Specialized Science Education: Special science classes and dedicated

schools were established across different regions. The K-12 education
program incorporated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) as a major track in senior high school to encourage more students
to pursue science-related fields in college.
Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PICARI) Project: This
collaboration between Philippine and US-based higher education
institutions, research institutes, and universities focuses on research
projects in science, agriculture, engineering, health, and technology to
boost STEM competitiveness.
Future Research and Project Areas: The text lists several key areas where
the country is focusing its research efforts:
1. Use of alternative and safe energy
2. Harnessing mineral resources
3 Finding cures for various diseases and illnesses
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

Legal Framework: The Philippine Congress has created various laws to

support science and technology, providing a legal framework. These laws
align with international treaties from organizations like the UN, UNESCO,
and ASEAN.
 National Goals

International Treaty SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

POLICIES
PROGRAMS
PROJECTS
Legal Frameworks

Social Needs, Issues,

and Problem
 FAMOUS FILIPINO IN THE FIELD
OF SCIENCE
School science is filled with names of foreign scientists: Einstein. Galileo
Galilei, Newton, Faraday, Darwin, and many other Western scientists. We
rarely hear of Filipino scientists being discussed in science classes. Lee-Chua
(2000) identified 10 outstanding Filipino scientists who have made significant
contributions in Philippine science. These scientists are also famous abroad
especially in different science disciplines agriculture, mathematics, physics,
medicine, marine science, chemistry. engineering, and biology.
 THESE FILIPINO SCIENTISTS ARE:
1. Ramon Cabanos Barba - for his outstanding research on tissue culture
in Philippine mangoes

2. Josefino Cacas Comiso - for his works on observing the characteristics

of Antarctica by using satellite images

3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. - known internationally in the field of electrical

engineering, was elected as officer of the famous Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering

4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz - venom notable for her research on sea snail

5. Fabian Millar Dayrit - for his research on herbal medicine

6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III - for his research on tilapia culture

7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. - drugs testing for inventing the meconium
8. Lilian Formalejo Patena - biotechnology for doing research on plant

9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz - for being an outstanding educator and graph

theorist

10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan - communications technology for his research in the
field of communication technology.
There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and
abroad for their outstanding contributions in science:

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

There are other scientists in the Philippines who were not identified in the
list. Yet, the Philippines still need more scientists and engineers, and there is
a need to support scientific research in the country. The University of the
Philippines-Los Baños is a science paradise for agriculture, forestry, plant and
animal science, and veterinary science. It has produced numerous scientists
and various research in the fields mentioned.
 Visayas is also a national center for marine science, fisheries and other
related sciences. The University of the Philippines Manila is a center of
excellence and has produce many researchers, doctors, health professionals,
and scientists in the area of medical and public health.

Many of these Filipino scientists are products of good school science. It

means they were taught and inspired by great teachers. Their interest in
science started to manifest during their childhood year. Their natural
environment Ignited their curiosity to learn more about the natural and
physical environment. Schools and the laboratories where they studied and
worked nurtured
SUMMARY
This lesson discussed the influence of science and technology in the
development of the Philippines as a country. Even before the time of
Spanish colonization in the Philippines, various people and communities
already practiced science. They invented tools and built structures, studied
the medicinal uses of plants, observed heavenly bodies to predict seasons
and weather, and used indigenous science in agriculture. These are
considered indigenous science, which is one of the foundations of modern
science

The growth of science and its development as a field in the country is a

hybrid of indigenous and foreign ideas. Spain and the United States, being
the former colonial masters of the country, played an important role in
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.
Through the years, many Filipinos were able to establish themselves as
scientists and science educators in various scientific areas and fields.
Invention and innovations were done by these Filipino scientists. Finally, the
demands of globalization, especially the ASEAN economic agenda, prompted
the Philippines to invest in science and technology programs and projects.
THANK YOU