LESSON PROPER

Indigenous Science and Technology in the Philippines

When Spain had already colonized most lowland communities in the Philippines in
the 1700s, the indigenous peoples in the Philippines continued to live in their isolated and
self-sufficient communities. They were able to preserve the culture and traditions of their
"ethnos" or "tribe" as reflected in their communal views on land, their cooperative work
exchanges, their communal rituals, their songs, dances, and folklore.

The knowledge of the indigenous people of native science and the environment
has been instrumental in our modern scientific advancements. Their knowledge has
evolved from prolonged interactions with nature and has provided valuable resources for
appropriate technology development and discoveries. People who practiced indigenous
science used science process skills guided by community culture and values composed
of traditional knowledge. Their scientific advancements have helped people in
understanding the natural environment and in coping with everyday life. This Indigenous
Knowledge System is defined by the cultural traditions of local communities, which are
orally passed in stories, poems, and songs.

Examples of Indigenous knowledge that are taught and practiced by indigenous

Filipinos are:

1. Prediction of weather. The unusual behavior of insects, such as ants,

earthworms, and dragonflies, has become a basis for predicting an upcoming rain,
typhoon, or bad weather.
2. Using herbal medicine. Tamarind leaves, for example, are used as a cure for

cough and cold by boiling young leaves for 30 minutes to drink.

3. Preserving foods. Salting, as also practices until today, is one of the indigenous

practices in preserving food with dry edible salt. Thus method is done so that food
will not be easily spoiled.
4. Classifying plants and animals into families. Philippine languages have specific

names for specific organisms.

 5. Selecting good seeds for planting. Indigenous Filipinos learned to choose good

seeds from the bad ones to maximize plant yield.

6. Using indigenous technology (pottery, weaving, and fine metalcraft).

Examples of traditional outputs from weaving include placemats, bags, wallets,

and mats. Indigenous Filipino metalsmiths can make intricate gold and bronze
jewelry.
7. Building local irrigation. Indigenous practice includes pulling up water from a

well or other such source to irrigate the land to keep plants healthy even if there's
a dry spell.
8. Classifying different types of soil for planting.

9. Producing wines from tropical fruits. The Kalinga Women produced fruit wines

from Guyabano and bignay.

10. Keeping the custom of growing plants and vegetables.

Indigenous people pass on their traditional ecological knowledge, also referred to

as indigenous knowledge, from generation to generation. In addition to many other topics,
it aids in our understanding of behavioral ecology, ecological linkages, sustainable
harvesting methods, animal population monitoring, and environmental change.

Science and technology in the Philippines at Present

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines, with its
mandate from Executive Order No. 128, is a government agency tasked with overseeing
and managing national technology development and acquisition, undertaking
technological and scientific research, and promoting public consciousness of science and
technology.

The country's performance in achieving the desired outcomes for the science,
technology, and innovation (STI) sector has been moderate. The latest available data
indicate that four out of nine targets with available data have been exceeded.

Over the decade, the Philippines have reported breakthroughs in scientific discoveries
and inventions, including
 • The discovery of the ancient human species called Homo Luzonensis in Callao
Cave;
• The launch of the Philippines first microsatellite Diwata-1;
• The invention of environment-friendly lamps that run on saltwater, such as the
SALt lamp and the Liter of Light Project, has helped light poor communities with
no access to electricity.

In June 2020, the DOST reported that there is an ongoing Filipino study about the
possible benefits of herbal plants, particularly the tawa-tawa and lagundi, to reduce a
person's vulnerability from the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). This development
can be called folk medicine. In a separate study, Filipino researchers found that Virgin
Coconut Oil (VCO), a resource abundant in the Philippines and has been in use for
centuries, can help improve the health condition of the individuals that may be infected
with Covid-19. (Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and
Technology (2021).

Science and Technology in the Philippines

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in the Philippines is a

government agency tasked with overseeing and managing national technology
development and acquisition, undertaking technological and scientific research and
promoting public consciousness of science and technology. DST is responsible for
formulating and adopting a comprehensive National Science and Technology Plan for the
Philippines, and to subsequently monitor and coordinate its funding and implementation.
The DST undertakes policy research, technology assessment, feasibility and technical
studies and maintains a national information system and databank on science and
technology.

Scientist as Advocates
 Scientists and technologists are essential in a developing world. They are one of
the key players in a country's quest for industrialization. They are the lifeblood of research,
innovation and have important roles in the industry and the manufacturing sector.
Together with their roles in nation-building, scientists, too, have a responsibility to
advocate for the betterment of S&T in their countries.

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENDA

Innovation Culture
What recent success we have with the saltwater lamp, the salamander tricycle
and the Diwata 1 microsatellite is a good start but only indicates that we have a long
way to go before we create an innovation culture. Innovation can only happen with enough
scientists and technologists to develop an “innovation ecosystem.”

ASEAN Integration requires competitive Technology

Science and technology help us understand nature and the world and enables us
to lead full lives through new and innovative means. It therefore requires that we as
Filipinos, expand our science and technology base to enable us to compete in an
integrated ASEAN.

Two Major Approaches

1. Stronger Research and Development in the regions, not just Manila
Expand research and development initiatives by providing more grant support for
R and D through the DOSTs sectoral planning councils such as PCIERD, PCAARD and
ASTI in cooperation with universities in the regions. The science initiative must be
distributed to the regions especially those where food production needs to be improved,
industry needs to grow and where innovation needs to be developed. This is critical
considering climate change and expensive electricity and the need to disperse industry
and economic activities.
2. Strategic projects in five areas:
a. Renewable energy- we need new technologies to enable high electricity yields
in limited space with less dependence on natural resources to enable us to
meet our COP 21 commitments, while lowering the price of electricity.

b. S and T for industry development- we need stronger participation of our

scientists and engineers if we want to revitalize our basic industries such as the
steel industry.

c. Faster and cheaper internet – we have Asias slowest internet, yet our
archipelago needs it bridge gaps and build networks.

d. Increased food production- given limited lands, technology is needed to expand

yields while increasing quality of output and being less dependent on foreign
inputs like fertilizers.
e. Climate change adaptation- We need cutting edge technology to enable our
farmers to adapt to changing climates and the need to do away with
technologies that destroy the capacity for good healthful yields.
f. Enabling mechanisms and specifics
• More Research grants through the DOST and its sectoral planning councils
and institutes
• Strengthen the Balik Scientist Program and retention program for current
young scientists- our young scientists must be engaged through actual
research projects. Many of our scientists and engineers are OFWs who
support our candidacy. We need their help to uplift our countrys technology
and we hope they come back.
• S and T cooperation within ASEAN- especially on the space program and
climate change adaptation.
• Cooperation between industry and the science community by involving
them in the sectoral planning councils. DOSTs programs for SMEs (Such
as SET-UP) needs to be replicated further.
Filipino Scientists Who Made a Remarkable Contribution to the Field of Science
Philippines has provided significant contributions to both local and global areas.
The discovery of several remarkable innovations and inventions was due to the brilliant
scientists behind them all. Moreover, they can conduct more studies and research to
develop solutions and exciting discoveries. DOST presents some of the known Filipino
scientists and their remarkable scientific contributions so you can get familiar with them.

Here are the ten Filipino scientists who have significantly contributed to the
science field.
1. Alfredo Lagmay
Alfredo Mahar Francisco Lagmay was a National Research Council member. He
specialized in experimental psychology and was notable for introducing behavioral
studies and hypnosis techniques for relaxation. And among his many contributions, the
most significant one was his research on how specific changes happen in human
behavior and how that particular behavior could treat mental illnesses in the long run.
With this, he helped many people establish behavior therapy as another effective
treatment option for specific conditions.
2. Angel Alcala
Angel Alcala invented the artificial coral reefs used for fisheries in Southeast Asia.
With his notable contribution to biological sciences, his research on the Philippine
amphibians and reptiles was honored, making his name appear in the Asian Scientists
100 by The Asian Scientist Magazine (ASM). Also, his fieldwork in building sanctuaries
and promoting biodiversity in the Philippines' aquatic system has made him one of the
outstanding National Scientists in the Philippines.
3. Edgardo Gomez
Marine biology was the field of specialization of Edgardo Gomez. He led the first-
ever national-scale assessment of damage to coral reefs worldwide, placing him in 9th
place for the Asian Scientists 100 magazine. With this excellent initiative in protecting and
replanting the corals in the sea, he was awarded the National Scientist in 2014 and
received a fantastic package, like a lifetime pension.
4. Fe del Mundo
Regarding the child healthcare system, Fe del Mundo was a notable Pediatrics
pioneer. She founded the first pediatric Philippine hospital and focused on addressing
what the country lacked regarding medical equipment in specific communities like rural
areas. And among her remarkable contributions to the Filipino people, an incubator made
out of bamboo is her most famous invention. She has specifically designed the equipment
so people who live in places without electrical power can regulate the temperature of their
infants well.
5. Gavino Trono
Just like Gomez, Gavino also specializes in Marine Biology. He was even known
as the "Father of Seaweed Diversity" or the "Father of Kappaphycus Farming." So it is
because he made a significant contribution to tropical marine psychology through his
thorough research of seaweed biodiversity. Through his research, we can increase our
knowledge of the diversity of seaweed plants all over Asia and their role in the marine
ecosystem.
6. Geminiano de Ocampo
Geminiano de Ocampo is the only National Scientist in the Philippines specializing
in ophthalmology. With his knowledge of eye care, he was the first person to diagnose
and treat specific eye problems in the country. He was the one who established the very
first Philippine eye hospital to help Filipinos get quality eye care. His corneal dissector is
one of the essential innovations, revolutionizing corneal transplant surgery.
7. Gregorio Velasquez
When we talk about phycology in the country, one name is linked to it, and it is
Gregorio Velasquez. He is one of the many Filipinos who received the title of National
Scientist due to his remarkable contributions to the field of Science. Regarding his
research, Velasquez extensively focuses on marine algae, where he has devised a way
to tell which is which through their unique characteristics.
8. Gregorio Zara
 Engineering and inventions that is what Gregorio Zara is known for. He was a
scientist and engineer in the country, passionate about Science and technology. His most
significant invention was the videophone, which he patented together with 30 other
devices for better and more convenient communication among people.
9. Julian Banzon
As a pioneer in renewable energy, Julian Banzon uses his skill in producing
alternative fuels through his research methods. As he specialized in chemistry, it was
easy for him to do this incredible innovation, and he was even known for extracting
resident coconut oil from the fruit. With his outstanding research, he was able to help
people not solely to rely on fossil fuels.
10. Ramon Barba
Horticulture is what Ramon Barba is best recognized for. He even led the Filipino
scientists as he ranked third on the Asian Scientists 100 list. Barba developed technology
for inducing mangoes to flower out of season and all year round. Aside from mangoes,
Barba does other research on fruits and vegetables such as sugarcane, bananas,
calamansi, and others.

References:
DOSTv: Science For The People. (2017, March 31). DOSTV Episode 213 -
Documentary, “NAST 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHORT FILM DOCUMENTARY” [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi2UqgoIq4c

Top 10 Filipino scientists who made a remarkable contribution to the field of science |
DOSTV - Science for the People. (n.d.). https://www.dostv.ph/blog/top-10-filipino-
scientists-who-made-a-remarkable-contribution-to-the-field-of-science

Prezi, M. L. M. O. (n.d.). The Philippine government Science and Technology Agenda.

prezi.com. https://prezi.com/p/j3vdiho8fonl/the-philippine-government-science-
and-technology-agenda/