Science, Technology, and Nation Building

Science, Technology, and Nation Building

• At the end of the module, students will be able to discuss Science and Technology development in the Philippines.
• Students will also be able to describe the role of Science and Technology in nation building.

Nation

• A nation involves a group of people with a shared sense of identity, culture, or history.
• Nations are socially constructed, determined by people, not nature.
• A nation's existence, definition, and membership can evolve.
• Nations can be perceived as "imagined communities" connected by religion, ethnicity, language, or cultural practices.
• A nation may try to define who belongs and who does not, sometimes ignoring political borders and existing across multiple states.
• States and nations are not the same.
• States are independent governments with control over a specific territory recognized internationally.
• Not all nations have a state, while some states contain parts of multiple nations.

Nation Building

• Nation building involves creating institutions that foster social, economic, and political activities.
• Nation building leads to the formation of countries where citizens share enough interests to remain united
• It involves building social communities within a nation-state, particularly after conflicts, regime changes, or decolonization.

Prehistory

• Bones of Homo luzonensis, believed to have lived 50,000 to 80,000 years ago, were discovered in Callao Cave, Penablanca, Cagayan, Luzon Island

Pre-Colonial Period

• People settled in the Philippines before colonization.
• The Angono Petroglyphs date backto 3000 BC.
• Laguna Copper Plate Inscriptions date back to 900 CE.
• Early Filipinos had their own writing system such as Baybayin among Tagalogs.
• Early settlers used plants and herbs as medicine.
• There existed a system of farming and animal-raising such as rice terraces in the Cordillera.
• Different modes of land and maritime transportation existed such as the balangay.

Colonial Period: Spanish

• Modern construction and engineering were introduced such as walls, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
• Filipinos were able to study in Europe.
• Health and educational systems were introduced including hospitals and schools.
• Scientific activities were undertaken by friars.
• Research institutions were constructed such as the Observatorio Meteorologica de Manila/Manila Observatory in 1865.

Colonial Period: American

• Life in the Philippines was modernized.
• The Bureau of Science was created to nurture science and technology development.
• Filipinos were sent to the U.S. to study science and engineering.
• A public school system was established.
• The Bureau of Government Laboratories was established in 1901 comprised of biological and chemical laboratories, a science library, and a Serum Laboratory of the Board of Health.
• The Bureau focused on studying tropical diseases.
• The Bureau of Science was reorganized in 1905.
• The National Research Council of the Philippines was established in 1933 to promote a scientific and technological culture.
• Scientific research focused on agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, food processing, and forestry.

Post-Colonial Period

• After independence, administrations in the Philippines continued to pursue Science and Technology programs.
• The Bureau of Science became the Institute of Science in 1947 and then the Institute of Science and Technology in 1951.
• Congress established the National Science Development Board (NSDB) in 1958.
• The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) was founded in 1964.
• During the Marcos regime, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) was tasked to promote science courses in public high schools.
• In 1982, the NSDB was reorganized as the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA).
• In 1989 it was elevated to cabinet level as the Department of Science and Technology.

Legal Basis for Promoting Science and Technology

• The Science Act of 1958 integrates, coordinates, and intensifies scientific and technological research and development and fostering invention.
• Republic Act No. 10535 sets the Philippine Standard Time.
• Republic Act No. 10055 provides the ownership, management, use, and commercialization framework for intellectual property from government funded research and development.
• Republic Act No. 10612 expands the coverage of the Science and Technology Scholarship Program.
• Republic Act No. 8439 provides a Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other Science and Technology Personnel in Government.
• The 1987 Philippine Constitution also provides the legal bases for promoting Science and Technology in the Philippines.

1987 Philippine Constitution

• Article II, Section 17 gives priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports for patriotism, nationalism, and total human development.
• Article XII, Section 14 promotes national talent development consisting of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs, managers, and skilled workers; encouraging appropriate technology and regulating technology transfer.
• Article XIV, Section 10 states that science and technology are essential for national development and progress, promoting indigenous and self-reliant technological capabilities.
• Article XIV, Section 11 allows Congress to provide incentives for scientific research and scholarships for science students.
• Article XIV, Section 12 regulates technology transfer and promotes the adaptation of technology for national benefit.
• It also encourages participation from private groups, local governments, and community-based organizations.
• Article XIV, Section 13 protects exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists, and gifted citizens to their creations, particularly when it benefits the public.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

• Executive Order No. 128 mandates DOST to provide central direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technological efforts.
• The DOST’s mission is to direct, lead, and coordinate the country's scientific and technological efforts towards maximum economic and social benefits.
• The DOST aims to become the “provider of world-class scientific, technological and innovative solutions that will lead to higher productivity and better quality of life.”
• DOST envisions itself as a leading ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Hub by 2022.

DOST: Sectoral Planning Councils

• Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
• Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).
• Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

DOST: Research and Development Institutes

• Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI).
• Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).
• Forests Product Research and Development Institute (FPRDI).
• Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI).
• Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).
• Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).
• Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).

DOST: Scientific and Technological Service Institutes

• Information and Communication Technology Office (ICTO).
• Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
• Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
• Philippine Science Highschool (PSHS) System.
• Science Education Institute (SEI).
• Science and Technology Information Institute (STII).
• Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).

DOST: Advisory Bodies

• National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).
• National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).

DOST Programs

• The Science for Change Program (S4CP) aims to accelerate STI in the country.
• The program’s goal is keeping up with technology and innovation
• R&D Leadership (RDLead) Program complements the NICER Program by bringing in experts and professionals to strengthen research capabilities.
• Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program fosters collaboration between academe and local companies to improve competitiveness and catalyze innovation.
• Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program aims to level-up innovation capacity by helping private companies to acquire technologies.

DOST: NICER Program

• The NICER Program capacitates Higher Education Institutions (HEls) in the regions to make significant improvement in regional research.
• The program integrates regional development needs with existing R&D capabilities and resources.

DOST: Balik Scientist Program (BSP)

• Filipino scientists, technologists, and experts are encouraged to return to the country to share their expertise in order to promote scientific, agro-industrial, and economic development. The Balik Scientist Program aims to:
• Reverse the effect of the brain drain
• Strengthen S & T capabilities
• Accelerate flow of technologies
• Promote sharing of knowledge

DOST: 2021 Technology Catalogue

• Contains information about new state-of-the-art facilities in the Philippines
• Provides list of R&D Programs, Products, and Niche Centers
• Provides initiatitives to address Covid-19
• Provides productivity and empowerment achievers
• Enhancing Human Resources Development and Management
• Highlights governance milestones

National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)

NAST's Mandate is to:

• Recognize outstanding achievements in Science and Technology and provide corresponding meaningful incentives

• Advise the President and Cabinet on matters related to Science and Technology

• Engage in different programs to give recognitions for achievements in Science

• Maintain the Philippine Science Heritage Center.

• NAST’s vision for the country is a "Progressive Philippines Anchored on Science".

• The Academy serves as the main adviser to the nation on science, technology, and innovation contributing to national development.

• Members include Academicians and Corresponding Members, and Honorary Members.

• Membership to the Academy is bestowed through peer recognition and carries with it the title of "Academician.”

• Resident Filipino scientists elected as Academicians have made significant contributions to advance science and technology in the Philippines.

• The Order of National Scientist is the highest honor given by the President of the Republic of the Philippines to a Filipino man or woman of science who has made significant contributions in the different fields of science and technology

Science, Technology, and Public Policies

• Science, Technology, and Public Policies involves testing ideas, analysis, and feedback to address everyday problems, inform policy, and build knowledge.
• Science, Technology, and Public Policies involves a cycle incorporating scientific input through agenda setting and impact assessments.
• Formulation, adoption, and implementation involve regulatory bodies

Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028

• The Philippine Development Plan involves human and economic development, and safety
• This requires governance, stability, and climate action.
• Science and technology is useful towards achieving these goals and objectives