Science, Technology, and Society: Philippine History PDF

# SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY ## CHAPTER 3 ## SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY: PHILIPPINE HISTORY A representation of humans adapting to the continuous changes brought about by science and technology. ### CHAPTER OUTLINE - Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines...

# SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY ## CHAPTER 3 ## SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY: PHILIPPINE HISTORY A representation of humans adapting to the continuous changes brought about by science and technology. ### CHAPTER OUTLINE - Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines * Pre-Spanish Period * Spanish Colonial Period * American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era * Marcos Era * Fifth Republic ### LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: 1. explain the historical timeline of science and technology in the Philippines. 2. analyze the development of science and technology in the Philippines. 3. synthesize and create their own understanding on the different periods of the history of science and technology in the Philippines. ## Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines ### Pre-Spanish Period Locales from Butuan were trading with Champa (Vietnam) and those from Ma-I (Mindoro) with China as seen on the Chinese records that contain several references to the Philippines. These records indicate that trading relationship have existed and established between the Philippines, China, and Vietnam. Before the Spaniards came, Filipinos were already aware of activities and practices related to science and technology. They have learned the curative values of plants and able to extract the medicine out of it. They had an alphabet, counting methods, weights, and measurement system, and calendar that they based on the period of the moon. ### Spanish Colonial Period When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, it has contributed to the growth of science and technology in the country. They have introduced formal education and founded scientific institution. Parish schools were established where they taught religion, reading, writing, arithmetic, and music. Natives were taught a more advance methods in agriculture. Later on, they have established colleges and universities around the country including the oldest university in Asia, which is the University of Sto. Tomas. Medicine was prioritized during the Spanish colonization, especially in the later years. The Spaniards made contributions in the field of engineering by constructing government establishments, churches, roads, bridges, and forts. Biology was highlighted during this period. Botanists, chemists, and medical scholars all gave contribution to the field of science. The galleon trade made a big impact in the economic growth of the Philippines. Spaniards gave priority to the galleon trade due to its potential to make huge profits. That is why agriculture and industrial development were not given focus and were neglected during this time. When Suez Canal was built, visiting each other countries for Europeans and Filipinos was made possible and probably influenced by the rapid development of scientific ideals brought by the Age of Enlightenment. ### American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era The Americans replaced Spaniards after they ruled the country and the progress of science and technology has continued under their rule. The establishment of Bureau of Government Laboratories was made in July 1, 1901 by the Philippine commission, which serves a purpose to study the tropical diseases and laboratory projects in the country, and was later on replaced by the Bureau of Science in 1905 that became the primary research center of the country. While on December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines was established. ### Marcos Era It was only during the Marcos presidency where science was given importance. It was clearly stated by the said former President in the Philippine Constitution, amended in 1973, that in terms of national development, priority shall be given in the advancement of science and technology. In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos declared that there is a need for science in public high school and with the help of Department of Education in partnership from the National Science Development Board it aims to provide science-teaching equipment for a period of 4 years. In 1968, he also recognized that technology was the top reason in economic development, and gave extra funds to support projects in applied science and science education. While in 1969, he allotted large amount of war damage funds to private universities to encourage them to create courses that focus on science and technology and research. In 1970, he emphasized that by upgrading the science curriculum and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. Furthermore, he declared Presidential Decree No. 49, series of 1972 as a support for promoting the scientific research and invention. Aside from that, one of his greatest contributions is the establishment of PAGASA which function is to give environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of the nation. He also established the National Academy of Science and Technology in 1976 to have a scientists whose experts in science and technology. In 1986, he also established campuses of Philippine Science High School in the Visayas and Mindanao. It encourage the youth in these areas to choose a career in science and technology. It also aims to tap the potential students on the said regions. ### Fifth Republic After the term of President Marcos, Corazon Aquino replaced him in the presidential seat and on her term in 1986, she replaced the National Science and Technology Authority to Department of Science and Technology, giving the science and technology a seat in the government cabinet. It was during the Philippine Development Plan for the years 1987-1992 where the role of science and technology in the nature economy was highlighted. In 1990, State of the Nation Address of President Corazon Aquino said that science and technology development should be on the top three priorities of the government to implement the development plan they have made. In 1989, the budget allocation for science and technology was increased amounting into 1.054 billion pesos. But due to Asian financial crisis between the years 1990 and 1991, it was cut down by 14% and in 1992, it was increased again by 50%. She also encouraged Filipino scientists and inventors to put back the Philippines and second in Japan when it comes to the field of science and technology. It was one of her goals to make the country industrialized by the year 2000. In July 1992, President Fidel Ramos reported his first State of the Nation Address that there were improvements with regards to science and technology. In his third SONA in 1994, he reported that there was a significant increase in people who specialize in the field of science and technology. By the year 1998, it was an estimated that the Philippines had 3,000 competent scientists and engineers. It was during the 5th Republic where the government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who are interested in taking up courses related to science and technology. Schools became modernized and updated by having additional high-tech equipment. It was also during this time when science and technology personnel were given priority by the government by approving the Republic Act No. 8439 in 1997 which entitled "Magna Carta for science and technology Personnel". Its purpose is to give incentives and rewards to people who made an impact and influential in the field of Science and Technology. In 1998, during President Joseph Estrada's term, the Internet age was pushed for the advancement of schools and industry. Then it was under the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when science and technology reached its golden age. Numerous laws and projects related to science were made to push technology forward to increase the economic level of the country like R.A. 9367 or the "biofuels" act that promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the country. In 2014, President Benigno Aquino honors four scientists who gave huge contributions in the scientific field that geared towards the advancement of science and technology of the country. It was during the American period when science was inclined towards agriculture, food processing, forestry, medicine, and pharmacy, and not much focus were given on the development of industrial technology due to free trade policy with the United States that nurtured an economy geared towards agriculture and trade. The Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science in 1946. In 1950, there were reports made by the US Economic Survey about the Philippines' problem with regards to science and technology such as lack of basic information, no support, minimal budget, and low compensation. During the regimen of Carlos P. Garcia in 1958, the Philippine Congress passed the bill entitled "The Science Act of 1958" which goal is to establish the National Science Development Board. ### Marcos Era It was only during the Marcos presidency where science was given importance. It was clearly stated by the said former President in the Philippine Constitution, amended in 1973, that in terms of national development, priority shall be given in the advancement of science and technology. In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos declared that there is a need for science in public high school and with the help of Department of Education in partnership from the National Science Development Board it aims to provide science-teaching equipment for a period of 4 years. In 1968, he also recognized that technology was the top reason in economic development, and gave extra funds to support projects in applied science and science education. While in 1969, he allotted large amount of war damage funds to private universities to encourage them to create courses that focus on science and technology and research. In 1970, he emphasized that by upgrading the science curriculum and teaching equipment is crucial to the science development program. Furthermore, he declared Presidential Decree No. 49, series of 1972 as a support for promoting the scientific research and invention. Aside from that, one of his greatest contributions is the establishment of PAGASA which function is to give environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the safety of the nation. He also established the National Academy of Science and Technology in 1976 to have a scientists whose experts in science and technology. In 1986, he also established campuses of Philippine Science High School in the Visayas and Mindanao. It encourage the youth in these areas to choose a career in science and technology. It also aims to tap the potential students on the said regions. ### Fifth Republic After the term of President Marcos, Corazon Aquino replaced him in the presidential seat and on her term in 1986, she replaced the National Science and Technology Authority to Department of Science and Technology, giving the science and technology a seat in the government cabinet. It was during the Philippine Development Plan for the years 1987-1992 where the role of science and technology in the nature economy was highlighted. In 1990, State of the Nation Address of President Corazon Aquino said that science and technology development should be on the top three priorities of the government to implement the development plan they have made. In 1989, the budget allocation for science and technology was increased amounting into 1.054 billion pesos. But due to Asian financial crisis between the years 1990 and 1991, it was cut down by 14% and in 1992, it was increased again by 50%. She also encouraged Filipino scientists and inventors to put back the Philippines and second in Japan when it comes to the field of science and technology. It was one of her goals to make the country industrialized by the year 2000. In July 1992, President Fidel Ramos reported his first State of the Nation Address that there were improvements with regards to science and technology. In his third SONA in 1994, he reported that there was a significant increase in people who specialize in the field of science and technology. By the year 1998, it was an estimated that the Philippines had 3,000 competent scientists and engineers. It was during the 5th Republic where the government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who are interested in taking up courses related to science and technology. Schools became modernized and updated by having additional high-tech equipment. It was also during this time when science and technology personnel were given priority by the government by approving the Republic Act No. 8439 in 1997 which entitled "Magna Carta for science and technology Personnel". Its purpose is to give incentives and rewards to people who made an impact and influential in the field of Science and Technology. In 1998, during President Joseph Estrada's term, the Internet age was pushed for the advancement of schools and industry. Then it was under the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when science and technology reached its golden age. Numerous laws and projects related to science were made to push technology forward to increase the economic level of the country like R.A. 9367 or the "biofuels" act that promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout the country. In 2014, President Benigno Aquino honors four scientists who gave huge contributions in the scientific field that geared towards the advancement of science and technology of the country. There are many things we do not want about the world. Let us not just mourn them. Let us change them. -Ferdinand Marcos The Philippines today is known to be a Third World country. The development of science and technology will determine the socio-economic growth of the country. It is also a fact that the national progress will relate the capacity of a country to produce local industrial goods for domestic needs. It will greatly affect our economic growth through increasing the chances of foreign investors coming to our country and investing the products developed and invented by our local inventors. It could also indicate an increase in tourism by the foreign people to try the products that our country has developed. The continuous development in the field of science and technology could make a different history for the country. Supporting the programs that our government has build a better chance for the country to regain our status and glory to the global competition. ## HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES ### Pre-Spanish Period The Philippines has few written information with regards to its society, culture, and technology before the Spanish arrived. We relied on archeological findings to trace the beginning of how the Filipinos lived with the use of science and technology. These archeological findings showed that modern man from Asian mainland first came over land on across narrow channels to live in Batangas and Palawan about 48, 00 B.C. They settled in different areas across the country and made simple tools and weapons of stone flakes and later developed new skills like sawing and polishing stones. During 3,000 B.C., they learned to produce adzes ornament of seashells and pottery that prosper for 2,000 years until competition arrived with the Chinese porcelains. Eventually they've learned how to use metal as their tools and so-called Iron Age lasted until the 3rd century B.C. to the 11th century A.D. during this time, Filipinos were involved in ore mining such as copper, gold, bronze, and iron. Early Filipinos have also engaged themselves into weaving, shipbuilding, mining, and farming that led them in creating one of the finest products of engineering which is the Banaue Rice Terraces. Early Spanish chroniclers also noted that early Filipinos built a refined plank-built warship called caracoa that was well suited for inter-island trade.