S&T in Philippine Nation-Building

Lesson Objectives

• Discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine nation-building
• Evaluate government policies pertaining to S&T and their contributions to nation-building
• Identify and assess the impact of government's S&T policies on the development of the Filipino nation

Pre-Spanish Era

• Filipinos were engaged in activities related to science forming primitive or first wave technology
• They knew about the curative values of plants and extracting medicine from herbs
• They had an alphabet, a writing system, a method of counting and weights and measures
• They did not have a calendar, but counted years by the period of the moon and harvests

Pre-Spanish Era Knowledge

• Filipinos had advanced knowledge of medicinal plant properties and herbal medicine extraction before Spanish colonization
• They had an alphabet, a number system, measuring methods, and a calendar

Pre-Spanish Era Activities

• Farming, shipbuilding, mining, and weaving were common
• The Banaue Rice Terraces are notable engineering achievements, showcasing sophisticated skills

Spanish Colonial Era

• The beginnings of modern science and technology in the Philippines can be traced to the Spanish Regime
• Schools and hospitals were established and scientific research was started, resulting in the rise of country professions

Spanish Colonial Era Growth

• Spanish colonization contributed to the growth of science and technology in the Philippines
• Formal education began, with scientific institutions established
• Parish schools taught religion, reading, writing, arithmetic, and music
• Natives were taught sanitation and advanced agricultural methods
• Colleges and universities were established, including the University of Santo Tomas
• Medicine studies were prioritized later in the Spanish rule
• Engineering was contributed to through construction of government buildings, churches, roads, bridges, and forts
• The focus in scientific studies was on biology

19th Century Contributors (Spanish Colonial Era)

• Botanists: Fr. Ignacio Mercado, Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, and Dr. Leon Ma Guerrero
• Chemist: Anaclento del Rosario
• Medicine scholars: Dr. Manuel Guerrero, Dr. Jose Montes, and Dr. Elrodario Mercado

Galleon Trade

• The Galleon Trade prioritized trade due to potential profits
• Agriculture and industrial development were relatively neglected

Influence of the Age of Enlightenment

• Visits to the colony were made easier with the opening of the Suez Canal
• Some Filipinos studied in Europe, influenced by scientific ideals

American Era

• Science was mainly focused on agriculture, food processing, medicine, and pharmacy
• Industrial technology development was not given much focus due to free trade with the US geared towards agriculture and trade

American Era progress

• Science and technology progress continued under American rule
• The Bureau of Government Laboratories was established on July 1, 1901, focusing on tropical diseases and laboratory projects
• The Bureau of Science replaced this on October 26, 1905
• The National Research Council of the Philippines was established on December 8, 1933
• The Bureau of Science was the primary research center until WWII, focusing on agriculture, food processing, forestry, medicine, and pharmacy

Factors During the American Era

• Science leaned towards agriculture and medicine due to a free trade policy with the US
• The Institute of Science replaced the Bureau of Science in 1946
• A 1950 report by the US Economic Survey to the Philippines highlighted a lack of basic information, support for experimental work, minimal budget for scientific research, and low salaries of scientists
• The Science Act of 1958 was passed during President Carlos P. Garcia's regime, which established the National Science Development Board

Post-Commonwealth Era

• Science and technology were prioritized during Corazon Aquino's presidency
• The Department of Science and Technology was established
• Subsequent administrations like Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo emphasized technological advancement, such as legislation like the Clean Air Act

1970s - Present (Ferdinand Marcos)

• The 1970s marked an increase in emphasis on science during Ferdinand Marcos' presidency
• The government's role in supporting scientific research and invention was acknowledged in the 1973 Philippine Constitution
• A science development program was included in the government's Four-Year Development Plan (1974-1978), with increased science funding
• The National Science and Technology Authority, under Executive Order No. 784, replaced the National Science Development Board
• A Scientific Career in the civil service was introduced in 1983

1970s - Present (Corazon Aquino)

• The National Science and Technology Authority was replaced with the Department of Science and Technology in 1986, giving science and technology representation in the cabinet
• Science and technology's role in economic recovery and sustained growth was highlighted in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (1987-1992)
• Science and technology development was declared a top three government priority for economic recovery during Aquino's State of the Nation Address in 1990
• The Presidential Task Force for Science and Technology was established in August 8, 1988, which formulated the first Science and Technology Master Plan (STMP) with the goal of achieving newly industrialized country status by 2000
• Minimal priority was given to bills related to science and technology in Congress, with the Senate Committee on Science and Technology handling a low number of bills for deliberation

1970s - Present (Fidel Ramos)

• Programs were established to prioritize science and technology, aiming to attain newly industrialized country status
• The Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND) was introduced in 1993, focusing on exporting winners identified by the DTI, domestic needs identified by the President's Council for Countryside Development, support industries, and coconut industry development
• Significant laws were enacted, including the Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439), Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No. 7687), and Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459)
• The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) was passed to provide industrial property rights, copyrights, and technology transfer arrangements

1970s - Present (Joseph Estrada)

• Major legislation was signed, such as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) aimed at environmental protection and the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) addressing internet-driven commerce
• Programs were launched based on cost-effective irrigation technologies and prioritization of basic health care, nutrition, and education
• Plans were announced to establish one science high school in every province
• Emphasis was placed on the advancement of industries and schools into the Internet age, as well as promotion of the e-Commerce Act during his State of the Nation Addresses

1970s - Present (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo)

• This era was dubbed the "golden age" of science and technology
• Numerous laws and projects were aimed at increasing economic level through Science, Technology, and Innovations (STI)
• Emphasis was put on developing technology as a tool for economic growth, particularly through initiatives to increase productivity from STI and benefit the poor
• The term "Filipinnovation" was introduced to promote the Philippines as an innovation hub in Asia
• Schools and the education system were strengthened, particularly through institutions such as the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) focusing on science, technology, and mathematics
• Laws such as the Biofuels Act (R.A. 9367) were passed promoting biofuel usage for cleaner energy and initiatives to encourage drought-resistant rice production

1970s - Present (Noynoy Aquino)

• Continued emphasis was given to science and technology's role in economic development and recovery
• Education and promotion of scientific literacy was prioritized, with programs aimed at advancing the quality of education and fostering innovation
• Research and development efforts were supported, including initiatives to modernize production sectors and infrastructure for scientific and technological purposes
• Healthcare services and innovative programs were invested in to improve health indicators, such as the Doctors to the Barrio Program
• Laws and policies were established to incentivize science and technology personnel and promote advancements in the field, such as the Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act No. 8439)

1970s - Present (Rodrigo Duterte)

• Continued emphasis was given to science and technology's role in national development and economic growth
• Policies were implemented to support research and development efforts, including initiatives to modernize industries and infrastructure
• Innovation and entrepreneurship in science and technology sectors were promoted, with support for startups and technology-driven businesses
• Education and training programs were invested in to enhance scientific literacy and skills development among the workforce
• Healthcare and public health initiatives were prioritized, including programs to improve access to healthcare services and address health challenges
• Laws and policies were implemented aimed at advancing science and technology, including measures to protect intellectual property rights and promote technological innovation

Role of Science

• Science is seen as having an expansive role in:
• Identifying Issues
• Generation Knowledge Accessibly
• Offering Solutions for Human Well-being
• Conflict Resolution
• Transitioning from Green Revolution to Ever-green Revolution

Filipino Scientists and their Contributions

• Ramon Cabanos Barba: Research on tissue culture in Philippine mangoes
• Josefino Cacas Comiso: Utilization of satellite images to observe Antarctica's characteristics
• Jose Bejar Cruz Jr.: International recognition in electrical engineering
• Lourdes Jansuy Cruz: Research on sea snail venom
• Fabian Millar Dayrit: Exploration of herbal medicine
• Rafael Dineros Guerrero III: Research on tilapia culture
• Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr.: Invention of meconium drugs testing
• Lilian Formalejo Patena: Research in plant biotechnology
• Gregory Ligot Tangonan: Research in communications technology
• Mari-jo Panganiban Ruiz: Notable educator and graph theorist