MODULE 3:

CHAPTER 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

Overview

The development and technology in the Philippines has already come a long way. Many significant
inventions and discoveries have been accomplished by or attributed to Filipinos. This also presents initial
surveys contributions of Filipino scientists to science and technology. It then traces the historical
development and impact of science and technology on the various segments of Philippine society. This
chapter tackles how the development of science and technology affect the development of the Philippines
as a nation. The discussions are geared toward engaging students in a critical analysis of science and
technology as a tool for nation building.

Objectives
At the end of this lesson the students should be able to;
 Identify the contributions of Filipino scientists in science and technology;
 Enumerate critical points in the history of science and technology in the Philippines and
how these developments affected society and the environment;
 Explain the role of science and technology in nation building;
 Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in their daily living;
 Present government policies on science and technology and explain importance to
nation; and

Motivation/ Take-off
LOOK FOR ME!
Instructions. Research on the major contribution of the following Filipino scienctists. Alternatively, you
may identify 10 Filipino scientist and their contributions that are not part of the list. Be ready to present this
in a creative way

1. Anacleto Del Rosario 6. Ignacio Mercado

2. Francisco Quisumbing 7. Trinidad Pardo de Taver
3. Gregorio F. Zara 8. Ramon Barba
4. Julian Banzon 9. Agapito Flores
5. Manuel Guerrero 10. Juan Salcedo, Jr.

Lesson Proper

LESSON 1: THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND NATION-BUILDING

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
Scientific and technological development in the Philippines began in the pre-colonial period. Even
before the Spaniards came to the Philippine islands, early Filipinos settlers were already using certain
plants and herbs as medicines. Systems of farming and animal-raising were also implemented. Moreover,
early Filipinos had also developed different modes of transportation, whether terrestrial or maritime.
A complicated engineering feat was achieved by the natives of the Cordilleras when they built rice
terraces by hand. Through these terraces, the people were able to cultivate crops of the mountainsides in
cold temperatures. They incorporated an irrigation system that uses water from the forests and mountain
tops to achieve an elaborate farming system. The rice terraces of the Cordilleras, which are still functional,
show the innovative and ingenious way of the natives to survive in an otherwise unfriendly environment.

COLONIAL PERIOD
Colonization by Spaniards provided the Philippines with modern means of construction. Walls,
roads, bridges, and other large infrastructures were built using some of the engineering skills and tools
brought by the Spaniards. In addition, the Spaniards government developed health and education systems
that were enjoyed by the principalia class.
The American occupation modernized almost all aspects of life in the Philippines. They established
a government agency, the Bureau of Science, for the sole purpose of nurturing development in the field of
science and technology.
POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
After achieving independence from the colonizers, the Philippines, under different administrations,
continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each leadership had its own science and
technology agenda. However, it is important to note that some of the Philippine Presidents posted more
developments in the field than others.
One of the presidents who ushered in advancements in science and technology was former
president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Under his term, many agencies ins science and technology were
established and strengthened, including the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) in place of the abolished Weather Bureau; the National Academy of
Science and Technology (NAST); the reconstituted National Science and Technology Authority (originally
established in 1958 as the National Science and Development Board and now the Department of Science
and Technology), among others. Marcos saw that the key to nation-building is the continued development
of science and technology. The progress in science and technology continued even after his dictatorial rule
and the presidents after him left their own legacies in the field.

ACTIVITY 1
COMPLETE ME!. Read the following questions comprehensively then supply the needed
information by reflecting on it. Textual evidences are encouraged to be provided in citing significant ideas
about science and technology in the Philippines.

1. Trace the development of science and technology from the pre-colonial times up to the present.
What have you observed?
2. What do you think are the major contributions of science and technology to Philippine nation-
building?
3. What specific government policy do you like the most in terms of contributing to the development of
science and technology in the Philippines?
4. What do you think are the major contributions of the Philippines to the field at present?
5. What policies do you want the government to implement in the near future? Why?

Activity 2
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH YOUR IMAGINATION!!
Imagine that you are elected as President of the Republic of the Philippines after the Marcos
regime. Identify some of the achievements that you have in the field of science and technology under you
administration and trace the events that will tell us that helped shape the Philippines as a nation.

Show your findings in a 10 – minute creative video presentation.

Please be reminded that you will be grade according to:

a. Overall look and uniqueness relative to other videos - 10

b. Relevance to the requirements - 40
c. Audio, video quality and credits/references - 25
d. Mechanics (organization, grammar, spelling and etc.) - 15
e. Promptness - 10
Total 100

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 LESSON 2: GENERAL CONCEPTS IN THE PHILIPPINES: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Overview

Science and technology in the Philippines had its

beginnings during the pre-colonial times. During this period,
people used herbal medicine to treat illnesses. To facilitate
trading, Filipinos made use of writing, numerical, measurement,
and calendar systems. Farming, fishing, mining, and weaving
were the first livelihood skills developed by Filpinos. In some
cases, the techniques Filipinos developed for livelihood
purposes resulted in majestic architectural designs that
managed to attract worldwide attention like the Banaue Rice https://images.app.goo.gl/7QhGfyEdY5LPx4dE7
Terraces of Ifugao.

During the Spanish colonial period, science and technology developed through the establishment
of formal education institutions and the launching of scientific organizations. Schools were mandated to
teach religion, mathematics, reading and writing, music and arts, and health and sanitation. Medicine and
biology were taught in different educational and training institutions. Since agriculture was the major
livelihood of Filipinos, the natives were trained to use innovative approaches in farming. To construct
buildings, churches, bridges, roads and forts, engineering was introduced and developed as well. The rapid
development of scientific principles influenced by Western culture during the Spanish colonial period was
shortchanged. This is why agriculture and industrial developments were during the latter part of the
Spanish era. Instead, trade was prioritized due to possible bigger profits.

When the Americans came, institutions for science and technology were reorganized as well. For
example, the former Laboratorio Municipal was replaced by the Bureau of Government Laboratories
the United States' Department of Interior. The Bureau was
established for the purpose of studying tropical diseases and
pursuing other related research projects. Eventually in 1905, the
Bureau was change to Bureau of Science, which became the
main research center of the Philippines.

ln 1933, the Natieonal Research Council of the Philippines

was established. Developments in science and technology during
the American regime were focused on agriculture, medicine and
pharmacy, food processing, and forestry. In 19406, the Bureau of https://images.app.goo.gl/TmJkqmqoTvys6p9Q7
Science was replaced by the Institute of Science.

During the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, the

role of science and technology in national development was
emphasized. He mandated the Department of Education and
Culture, now known as the Department of Education (DepEd), to
promote science courses in public high schools. Additional budget for
research projects in applied sciences and science education was
granted by Marcos. A big chunk of the war damage fund from the
Japanese was donated to private universities and colleges for the
creation of science and technoloy-related courses and to promote
research. The 35-hectare lot in Bicutan, Taguig was proclaimed in
1968 as the Philippine Science Community, now the site of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Seminars, https://images.app.goo.gl/5QiMKytRi1jFxdVu6
workshops, training programs, and scholarships on fisheries and
oceanography were also sponsored by the government during Marcos presidency. The Philippine
Coconut Research Institute (PHILCORIN) was tasked to promote the modernization of the coconut
industry. Several agencies and organizations were then established like the Philippine Textile Research

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Institute, Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (now the Philippine Nuclear Institute), National
Grains Authority (now the National Food Authority), Philippine Council for Agricultural Research
now the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aguatic, and Natural Resources Research and
Development), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA), Philippine National Oil Company, Plant Breeding Institute,

International Rice Research Institute (RRI), Bureau of Plant

Industry, Bureau of Forest Products, and the National Committee on
Geological Sciences. The National Science Developmen Board
(NSDB) was reorganized as the National Science and Technology
Authority (NSTA) in 1981. In 1976, Marcos established the National
Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) to be the reservoir of
scientific and technological expertise in the country. Salary increases for
teachers and administr ators at the Philippine Science High School were
granted and the Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine
Science High School were established during Marcos' time. https://images.app.goo.gl/J7VyUaz427fxpS4P6

In 1986, under President Corazon Aquino, NSTA was renamed DOST. This was done in order for
the science and technology sector to be represented in the cabinet and thus play an integral role in the
country's sustainable economic recovery and growth. The Science and Technology Master Plan penned
by DOST aimed to update the production sector, improve research activities, and develop infrastructures
for the science and technology sector.

In 1987, during the presidency of Fidel Ramos, the Philippines had approximately 3,000 competent
scientists and engineer The "Doctors to the Barrio" Program made healthcare accessible even in far
flung areas in the country. Incentives were given to people who played significant roles in the science and
technology sector. The National Program for Gifted Filipino Children in Science and Technology was
created for high school students who wanted to major in science and engineering in college. It was also
during Ramos term that a number of laws and statutes related to the science and technology sector were
mandated such as RA 8439: Magna Carta for Scientist Engineers, Researchers and other Science
and Technology Personnel in Government; RA 7687: Science and Technology Scholarship Act of
1994; RA 7459: Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act; and RA 8293: The Intellectual Property
Code of the Philippines.
RA 8749: The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 and RA 87 Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 were both
signed and mandated during the term of President Joseph Estrada. He was also responsible for
implementing cost-effective irrigation technologies and providing basic health care services for those who
could not afford them.

During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal- Aroyo, the science and technology sector
were developed to strengthen the education system and to address poverty. The term Filipinnovation was
coined to refer to the Philippines as an innovation hub in Asia. Arroyo also promulgated RA 9367: Biofuels
Act, to utilize indigenous materials as sources of energy. However, the act was not able to produce positive
outcomes because of the lack of technology to source raw materials. It was also in Arroyo's term that
farmers were encouraged to use rice that can withstand environmental hazards. RA 10601: Agriculture
and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law was also passed to modernize agricultural and fisheries
machinery and equipment.

In 2014, President Benigno Aquino III named new National Scientists namely, Gavino C. Trono,
for Marine Biology, Angel C. Alcala, for Biological Science, Ramon C. Barba, for Horticulture, and
Edgardo D. Gomez, also for Marine Biology

Today, in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the Science and technology sector is
seen to be a priority based on the budget for research and development (R&D) that grew by nearly six
times over the same period. Formulation of programs and policies that will aid in shaping the country is
backed up President Duterte. The focus of DOST is to put the results of R&D into commercialization in
order to gain new intellectual properties. Currently, the Philippines has the Philippine Space Technology

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 Program which launched Diwata-2 in 2018 after the launch of Diwata-1 in 2016 that displayed the
Philippine flag in space. Besides space technology, the current administration also gives importance to
agriculture and disaster preparedness.

https://images.app.goo.gl/RsgnTgteSEgAwqi99 https://images.app.goo.gl/HoC6gLYmUvTYKVDa8 https://images.app.goo.gl/ghFsSUe47tbn8w898 https://images.app.goo.gl/hSAnyzpGqfUQnDHb7

GAVINO C. TRONO ANGEL C. ALCALA RAMON C. BARBA EDGARDO D. GOMEZ

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Science and technology have numerous contributions to society. The mechanization of farming, for
instance, is necessary for agriculture, being the number one source of food production. Agricultural
development needs to cope with the rapidly and exponentially growing population.
Tools such as water pumps and sprinklers help in managing the damaging effects of extreme heat
caused by climate change on crops. Science and technology have also made it possible to produce
genetically modified crops, which grow faster and are more resistant to pests. Fertilizers that increase
nutrients in the soil enhance the growth of the crops and produce high quality yields. However, many
research show that genetically modified crops
and fertilizers made from strong chemicals are
not environment friendly. Science and
technology improved transportation by land, air,
and sea Communication has improved through
technological advancements. With the internet
and the rise of social media, information is
transmitted easily and rapidly. Through
technological developments, ways of learning
also changed. Learning management systems
used in education are now through computers,
mobile phones, tablets, and other gadgets.
Online learning has also become popular in https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fcdn.thinglink.me%2Fapi%2Fimage%2F50339
9744890994688%2F1024%2F10%2Fscaletowidth&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttp%2Finto-
various disciplines like mathematics, physics, india.weebly.com%2Fresourcedepletion.html&tbnid=yDUgRDb2FWXK4M&vet=1&docid=m0FtdNd6nhe-
biology, geography, economics, and others WM&w=650&h=433&itg=1&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim

These contributions of science and technology, however, always come with adverse impacts
especially on the environment. One is resource depletion. The increasing number of new and advanced
techhnologies in the production and manufacture of different goods and services results in the depletion of
the Earth's natural resources. Wastes are also generated as these technologies are developed. People
have also become too dependent on science and technologies, making them disregard its consequences
that may be damaging to the environment.

ACTIVITY 3. PHILIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

Instructions: Choose one among the following Filipino scientists and inventors:
1. Paolo Campos 8. Ame Garong
2. Angel Alcala 9. Raymundo Punongbayan
3. Ricardo Sigua 10. Gavino Tronio
4. Maria Ligaya Braganza 11. Proceso Alcala
5. Baldomero Olivera 12. Alfredo Galang

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 6. Dioscoro Umali 13. Benito Lumen
7. Diosdado Banatao
Your task is to create a flash card (short sized bond paper) showing the profession of the scientist/inventor,
his/her specialization, his/her most significant contribution. You are encourage to be creative in doing the
activity.

References
1. Quinto, E.J.M. & Nieva, A.D. (2018). Science, Technology and Society: Outcome-Based Module
(1st ed.) C & E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City Philippines.
2. Mcnamara, D.J., Valverde, V.M., & Beleno, III R. (2018). Science, Technology and Society (1 st ed).
C & E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City, Philippines.
3. Ballena, N.D.S., Bernal, R.D., Paquiz, L.G., Ramos, R.C., & Viet, L, C. (2004). Science Technology
and Society. Trinitas Publishing, Inc., Trinitas Complex, Pantoc Road, Pantoc, Meycauayan 3020
Bulacan.

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