History of Science and Technology in the Philippines

• This chapter discusses the historical development of science and technology in the Philippines from the pre-colonial period up to the Fifth Republic.
• The chapter contains 7 topics:
• Pre-Colonial Science and Technology
• Science and Technology during the Spanish Regime
• Science and Technology during the American Regime
• Science and Technology during the Commonwealth Period
• Science and Technology since Independence
• Science and Technology during the Marcos Era
• Science and Technology during the Fifth Republic
• By the end of the chapter, you should be able to:
• Outline the historical development of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) in the Philippines
• Analyze the development of science and technology in the Philippines in terms of its major impact on the Filipino people.

Pre-Colonial Science and Technology

• The spread of science and technology was slow paced in the Philippines due to several obstacles:
• The archipelagic condition of the country
• Different dialects showing diversity
• Not being open to new ideas for agriculture
• A strong belief in superstitions
• Superstitions in farming:
• Farmers avoid plowing the soil too deep because the roots of the plants are believed to be afraid of total darkness.
• During seed-time, farmers should not cut their hair, shave, or eat salt fish; otherwise, the stalks of rice will grow short.
• When sowing rice in the seed-bed, the farmer must be alone to prevent locusts or other insect pests from destroying the crop.
• Pre-colonial Filipinos interpreted the movement of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climate for planting and fishing or for rituals of different tribes.
• The stars were used to determine when it was time to farm.
• The appearance of Balatik in the December night sky signaled the beginning of kaingin (slash and burn method).
• Marara, a constellation resembling a man with one hand and one foot, signaled that the planting season was near in April.
• The constellation Orion, called "Balatik", is one of the two prominent star groups.
• Early Filipinos had a writing system called Baybayin, the pre-colonial beautiful ancient writing script of the islands of the Philippines
• Filipinos had no clocks to show the hours or minutes.
• The 7 moons in the story of Bakunawa may represent the 7 working lunar cycles of planting and harvesting in the ancient Ilongo 12 month calendar.

Early Filipino Concept of Time

• Ulalen - Pleiades star cluster appears
• Dagancahuy - trees are felled to sow the land
• Daganenan Bulan - wood from trees is collected
• Elquilin - burn over the fields
• Ynabuyan - the bonanças blow
• Cayac - weed their fields
• Yrarapun - begin to harvest the rice
• Manalulsul - harvesting is complete
• Moon phases also acted as time markers.
• Gimata: When the moons seems to open its eyes
• Katin - third quarter
• Malasumbang - new moon phase.
• Early Filipinos used natural markers to tell time:
• Bukang Liwayway refers to dawn.
• Katanghalian means midday.
• Lulunod Na signifies sunset.

Early Filipino Weights and Measures

• Length/Distance
• Piranggot: 11/2 inch
• Sandamak: 4 inches
• Dangkal: 8 inches
• Talampakan: 12 inches
• Bisig: 18 inches
• Dipa: 68 inches
• Volume
• Salok: 80 mL
• Saro: 250 mL
• Mangkook: 400 mL
• Mass/Weight
• Dakot: 10 grams
• Guhit: 100 grams
• Kagatuna: 1 1/2 kilo
• Gatang: 1 kilo
• Chimanta: 6 kilos
• Kaban: 25 kilos
• Time
• Kisapmata: 0.5 second
• Saglit: 1 second
• Sandali: 60 seconds

Science and Technology During the Spanish Regime (1521-1898)

• The galleon trade was the sole means of communication between Spain and its Philippine colony, functioning as an economic lifeline for Spaniards in Manila.
• The galleon Trade was a government monopoly with two galleons:
• One sailed from Acapulco to Manila carrying 500,000 pesos worth of goods and took 120 days at sea.
• The other sailed from Manila to Acapulco carrying 250,000 pesos worth of goods and took 90 days at sea.
• The galleon trade negatively affected economic development in the Philippines as it neglected native extractive industries like agriculture.
• Karakoa were large warships from the Philippines.
• They were used by native Filipinos, such as the Kapampangans and Visayans, during seasonal sea raids.
• These large karakoa could carry hundreds of rowers, warriors, and Lantaka.
• Governador Jose Basco y Vargas was the founder of Real Sociedad Economica de los Amigos del Pais de Filipina
• Leon Ma. Guerrero, is consider a Father of Philippine Pharmacy.
• Significant tertiary educational institutions founded during the Spanish colonization include:
• Colegio de Manila
• Colegio de San Ildefonso
• University of Santo Tomas

Science and Technology During the American Regime (1898–1935)

• The American government formed the Philippine Science and Technology sector.
• It mainly focused on agriculture, health, and food processing.
• Due to the colonial economic policy, the development of industrial technology was largely neglected.
• Government Laboratory was established in 1901 by the Philippine Commission
• In 1905, it was replaced by the Bureau of Science.
• In 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was established.
• It became the primary research center of the Philippines until World War II.
• The University of the Philippines (UP) was founded through Act No. 1870 in 1908 by the Philippine Assembly.
• The Philippine General Hospital was opened at Calle Isaac Peral (now United Nations Avenue) and Padre Faura in downtown Manila in 1909.

Science and Technology During the Commonwealth Period (1935–1946)

• New agencies created during the Commonwealth Period:
• The Bureau of Mines, which offered help and assistance to Filipino businessmen venturing into mining exploration.
• Increased appropriations for the Bureaus of Science, Plant, and Animal Industry, encouraging more scientific research for industrial purposes during this time period.
• The Commonwealth of the Philippines underwent Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945.

Science and Technology Since Independence (1946-1965)

• There was no significant innovation in the education and training of scientists and engineers after independence in 1946.
• Highlighted events since independence include:
• Increased creation of government science agencies since 1946
• The Bureau of Science was organized into an institute of science in 1947.
• Scientific work in government suffered from a lack of support, planning, and coordination during the early postwar years.
• The institute of Science was reorganized in 1951 and renamed the institute of science and technology.
• The commission on volcanology was created in 1952 and placed under the national research council of the Philippines (NRCP).
• The Institute of Nutrition was created in 1952, as well as the Science Foundation Of The Philippines (SFP) which was also established and put along with the institute of science.
• Congress enacted the science act of 1958.
• The act also created the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST).
• In the year 1960s several science research oriented agencies were established by Philippine laws:
  • A. Philippines Inventors Commission (1964)
  • B. Philippine Coconut Research Institute (1964)
  • C. Philippine Textile Research Institute (1967)
  • D. Forest Products Research
  • E. Industries Development Commission (1969)
• The science act created the National Science Development Board (NSDB).

Science and Technology During the Marcos Era (1965 – 1985)

• January 23, 1967: SONA emphasized that science was essential for research and development programs.
• January 22, 1968: Third SONA acknowledged technology as the foremost factor in economic development, channeling additional funds to support projects in applied science and science education.
• January 27, 1969: Fourth SONA allocated funds to private universities, urging them to create courses in science, technology, and research.
• April 6, 1968: 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal was proclaimed as the site of the Philippine science community. January 26, 1970: Fifth SONA emphasized the enhancement and improvement of science curricula
• January 24, 1972 - Seventh SONA discussed major development projects in reforming sectors of education. Marcos Administration Actions:
• The Philippine Coconut Research Institute was integrated with NSDB to upgrade 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.
• The Philippine Coconut Research Institute was modernized to NSDB.
• In 1976, a law was enacted under Presidential Degree no. 1003-a, s. 1976 to establish the National Academy of Science and Technology

Science and Technology During the Fifth Republic (1986 to present)

• President Corazon Aquino's major contributions to the development of science and technology:

• Proclamation of executive order no. 128, known as the “Reorganization Of The National Science And Technology Authority”, thus creating the technology application and promotion institute (TAPI).

• Republic act 6655, a science for the masses program aimed at encouraging children who had a passion for science and technology to study for free.

• Presidental Task Force - Science and Technology which came up with the first Science and Technology Master Plan. For science and technology alleviating and envisioning the status of the Philippines to be the next industrialized country

• August 8, 1988 - She 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 a newly industrialized country status by the year 2000.

• April 28, 1992 - President Corazon C. Aquino signed Republic Act no. 7459, titled "an act providing incentives to Filipino inventors and expanding the functions of the technology application and promotion institute, appropriate funds therefor, and for other purposes"

• President Fidel Ramos was able to establish Programs That Were Significant To The Field Of Science And Technology.

• In 1993, science and Technology Agenda For National Development (Stand) Was Established Which Prioritized The Following Areas:

  • Exporting winners identified by the dti;
  • Domestic needs identified by the president's council for countryside development;
  • Support industries
  • . Coconut industry development

• Congress, During His Term, Was Able To Enact The Following Laws That Were Significant For The Field

  • Magna carta for science and technology personnel (Republic Act No. 8439)
  • Science and Technology Scholarship Law Of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7687)
  • Inventors and inventions incentives act (Republic Act No. 7459)
  • The intellectual property code of the Philippines (Republic Act No.8293).
    • It shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such periods as provided in this Act.

• Presidents Estrada Signed Two Major Legislations:

• 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

• Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) which ban computer hacking and provides opportunities for new businesses emerging from the internet-driven new economy

• President Arroyo Bestowed as the “golden age" era for science and technology by then secretary Estrella Alabastro:

• R.A. 9367 or the “biofuels” act, promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the country

• R.A. 10601 WHICH IMPROVES THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES SECTOR THROUGH MECHANIZATION (AFmech) covers research, development, and extension (RDE)

• SONA in 2001, Arroyo emphasized technology's role in future economic development

• President's efforts resulted in the accomplishment of five broad tier of S&T programs (“PGMA's support to science community”):

  • Research and development programs,
  • S&T Human Resource Development Programs
  • Scientific and Technological Services
  • S&t Promotion And Information Services
  • Scientific Linkages And International Cooperation

• President Aquino III conferred four new scientists for their contribution in the scientific field in 2014:

• Academicians Gavino C. Trono - Helped a lot of families in the coastal populations through the extensives studies he made on seaweed species.

• Angel C. Alcala - Advocate of coral reefs aside from his contribution in the fields of systematics, secology and herpetology

• Ramon C. Barba - 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 micropropagation of important crop species.

• Edgardo D. Gomez - Steered the national- scale assessment of damage coral reefs which led a national conservation.

• Aquino III signed Republic Act 10611, a law for the formulation of common food and safety standards.

• Four agencies play major roles in carrying out food safety regulatory activities:

  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS);
  • The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• Influences in the Development of Science and Technology in the Philippines

• Internal -

  • Survival
  • Culture
  • Economic Activities

• External

  • Foreign colonizer
  • Traders with foreign countries
  • International economic demands

• Policies on S&T under the Aquino administration:

• Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue

• Developing school infrastructure

• Providing for broadband

• Integrating and coordinating scientific and technological research

• Ensuring compliance drug manufacturing firms with ASEAN by full FDA implementation

• Creating an education council dedicated to standardizing pharmaceutical services/care

• Allocating 2% of the GDP to research

• Legislating a law supporting human genome projects

• Protecting and conserving biodiversity by implementing existing laws

• Using 'biosafety' as a standard model by the ASEAN countries

• Promoting indigenous people's conservation

• Formulating common safety standards for food

• President Duterte signed the REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11035 or the Balik Scientist Act in 2018.

• This law provides incentives and assistance to returning Filipino experts, scientists, inventors, and engineers.

• There are 189 scientists per million, Balik Scientist program, but it has only been implemented until 1986.